5 June :The Annual General Body Meeting and Scholarship Award Function Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) were held on 5 June 2009 in the Golden Jubilee Hall at Panjab University, Chandigarh. Although this event is an annual one, it assumed special significance in the light of the momentous headway made by the PUAA during last year. The function was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor R.C. Sobti. Professor Bhupinder Singh Bhoop, Dean Alumni Association and Secretary, PU Alumni Associations welcomed the guests and presented the Annual Report. In his report Prof. Bhoop highlighted the various activities and achievements of the Department since last year, especially the completion of the construction and furnishing of “Alumni Guest House” comprising four state-of-art air-conditioned rooms, an air-conditioned lounge and serving area. He informed that during the year 2008-09, Department of Alumni Relations underwent historic headway to reinforce the activities of the Association. All the members thoroughly appreciated the endeavor of Department of Alumni Relations to initiate establishment of Alumni cells, and accomplishing 25% of the total life membership and 80% of the patron membership enrollment into PUAA folds, as during the period of 2008-09, as many as 683 Life members and 5 Patron members were enrolled with PUAA. He informed the House that the Department of Alumni Relations has also awarded stipends to the 9 deserving pupils @Rs 2000/- to 9000/- per annum on need-cum-merit in academics or sports out of the endowment funds (i.e, Rs. 7.25 lacs) at hand.
Dr. Navdeep Goyal, Jt. Secretary-cum-Treasurer presented the Audited Accounts for the year 2008-09 and Budget estimates for Alumni House for the financial year 2008-09 which were approved by the house.
A total of 43 meritorious students who had topped the respective disciplines of the Panjab University during the academic session 2007-08 were awarded cash prizes, merit certificates and trophies.
Shri Subhash Chander Kohli and Dr. Navdeep Goyal were unanimously re-elected as Vice-President and Jt. Secretary-cum-Treasurer, respectively. The Vice-Chancellor and Dean were authorized by the general house to nominate the rest of the members of the Executive Council of PUAA.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R.C. Sobti in his presidential remarks lauded the efforts of PUAA and advised tangible ways to ameliorate the alumni affairs in Panjab University. Citing anecdotes, he exhorted the alumni to come forward physically, intellectually and financially in the alumni affairs, especially in making the education available to the needy. He appealed to the alumni that they should give back to their alma mater a tiny share of what they have obtained from it. Taking cognizance of the alumni contributions in overseas universities, Prof. Sobti called upon the established alumni to contribute towards the vision that the Panjab University has been endeavoring for quite long.
Mr Subhash Chander Kohli, Vice-President, PUAA, proposed the vote of thanks and gave away the concluding remarks.
The entire function was compeered and conducted by Dr Mohanmeet Khosla, Chairperson, Mass Communication, and Executive Councilor, PUAA.