PAU alumnus is dean at Canada’s Calgary varsity

Monday, 25/04/2016

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TORONTO: An alumnus of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been appointed the dean of the prestigious University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine in Canada.

He is the second PAU passout to have been chosen for a prestigious assignment at a foreign university in less than a month. In March, H Deep Saini was appointed the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra.

Baljit Singh, a veterinary medical expert, will take charge on September 1, provost and vice-president (academic) of the university Dru Marshall said in a statement. She said Baljit was a highly accomplished researcher, educator and administrator in veterinary medicine with specific expertise in lung biology and anatomy.

Baljit did his Bachelors in veterinary science and animal husbandry and Masters in veterinary science from PAU in 1989, before the university’s veterinary wing was turned into Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). Later, he did his PhD from University of Guelph in Ontario and postdoctoral training at Texas A and M University and Columbia University, New York.

“I am deeply honoured,” Baljit said in a statement issued by the university. “I am excited that the faculty has outstanding opportunities to lead in veterinary medical education and knowledge-creation to solve complex animal and human problems at the local, national and international level.”

PROFILE

Baljit Singh did his Bachelors in veterinary science and animal husbandry and Masters in veterinary science from PAU in 1989. He had received many international awards such as the 3M national teaching fellowship, Canada (2009), provost’s prize for innovative practice of teaching and learning, University of Saskatchewan (2008), Carl J Norden distinguished teacher award (2003).

He is known for CREATE (collaborative research and training experience) programme for integrated training in infectious diseases, food safety and public policy with funding from the natural sciences and engineering research council of Canada. “To further strengthen his collaboration with GADVASU, Baljit Singh organised visits and initiated research training programs for veterinary clinicians... three GADVASU scientists were also appointed adjunct faculty at University of Saskatchewan,” said Dr JPS Gill, Baljit’s partner in CREATE.