CHANDIGARH-May 27, 2011: Taking a yet another step towards promoting academics and
research, Panjab University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National
Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, a constituent laboratory of Department of
Biotechnology (DBT),  represented by the Director having its office in Mohali. The MoU
was signed by Professor R.C. Sobti, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University and Rakesh Tuli,
Executive Director, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI).  
Dr. N.K. Ganguly, Former Director, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) chaired
the event.
The MoU promotes academic and research cooperation between the two institutes. The
objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding ensure that NABI and Panjab University
will undertake joint research in the areas of mutual interest.  Under the exchange
program, both NABI and PU jointly agree to exchange staff on full time/part time basis,
also the faculty/staff and research fellows registered for Ph.D degree may visit other
institution for a short period in connection with their research work. Also the
faculty/staff would be encouraged to deliver lectures at the other institutes. According
to the MOU both the institutes also agreed to hold/conduct joint workshops, conferences
and training workshops within the areas of cooperation. Another significant objective of
the Memorandum would enable the two institutes to share their respective R&D facilities
and software to promote academic and research interactions in the areas of cooperation.
Further facilitating research work for the students the memorandum stated that a
student holding a fellowship awarded by national agency like ICAR, CSIR, ICMR, DBT, and
DST etc. or appointed in externally funded projects at NABI or staff of NABI will be
eligible to register with PU for award of Ph. D degree as per UGC guidelines.

As he signed the Memorandum of Understanding, Professor R.C. Sobti said, “It is a new
beginning and this joint effort would definitely promote growth in the field of
academics and research.”  Dr. Rakesh Tuli, Executive Director, NABI expressed his
happiness on the occasion of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  as he said,
“The MoU shall usher in an era of cooperation and facilitate academic and research in
the areas of cooperation.”
The approval to sign Memorandum of Understanding was received by the Syndicate. However,
the MoU shall be placed before the Syndics at the Syndicate meeting to be held on
29.05.2011 for the formal approval.

Press Note No.221
          MMK/PS