Author: blog

 Solan, July 2

Solan-based Shoolini University has been ranked at the 20th position across India and Number One in Himachal Pradesh in the latest Education World India Private Universities Rankings.

The rankings were tabulated by the Delhi-based Centre for Forecasting and Research (C-fore) with diligent care to classify and segregate autonomous private colleges, government autonomous colleges, and non-autonomous colleges based on the criteria set up by the University Grants Commission.

Shoolini University has shared the 20th position with Chitkara University, Rajpura, and has emerged Number 1 in Himachal Pradesh, scoring 1073 points in different categories. It scored 274 points out of 300 in Research and Innovations, 135 points out of 150 in the Competency of Faculty and 134 out of 150 in Infrastructure and Facilities.

The University has been ranked joint 4th among private universities in North India, comprising the states of Haryana, Punjab, J&K, Uttarakhand but barring the NCR, with Ashoka University, OP Jindal University and Thapar University (Deemed) ahead of it.

Chancellor Prof PK Khosla said he was delighted with the improved rankings and congratulated all the faculty, staff, and students for the achievement. He further said the University would continue to focus on research and was on the right path to be among the top global universities.

Shoolini University Vice-Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla said the consistent improvement in the rankings of the University indicated that “we are on the right track” and would strive harder to further improve in the years to come.

Earlier this year, Shoolini University was ranked the top university by Scimago in the Northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh and 16th in the category of research across the country.

EW India Private Universities Rankings 2020-21 were conducted by over 150 field personnel of the highly reputed Delhi-based market research and opinion polls company Centre for Forecasting & Research Pvt. Ltd. They interviewed 4,168 sample respondents comprising 2,214 faculty and 1,126 final year students of 162 universities, and 828 industry representatives in 25 cities countrywide.

Solan, June 30
Continuing to create awareness and engagement about pressing issues of global significance, Shoolini University organised an International Webinar on Molecular Simulations under the Shoolini Science Web Series. The key speakers at the webinar, an initiative of the School of Physics and Materials Science, were Dr Leonardo Belpassi, Researcher at the Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Perugia, Italy, and Dr Loriano Storchi, Associate Professor, Universit? G D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
All faculty members, research scholars and students of the School of Physics and Materials Sciences, Shoolini University, attended the webinar. The virtual event was organised on the Zoom platform and was live on Shoolini University’s YouTube channel as well.
Welcoming the guest speakers, Prof Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Dean Sciences, thanked them for accepting the proposal to speak on ‘Four-component Dirac-Kohn-Sham calculations: State of the Art and Computational Advancements’.
Shoolini University Chancellor Prof PK Khosla congratulated Prof Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Dr Anirban Saha and the entire team for organising such interactions of global importance and thanked Dr Leonardo Belpassi and Dr Loriano Storchi for sparing their time to be the speakers for the day.
Dr Belpassi talked about the basics on the need of relativity in chemistry, the algebraic approximation and Dirac-Kohn-Sham approach with some examples of actual calculations for understanding the chemical bond in a relativistic framework. Next, Dr Storchi discussed the technical part about the most significant computational aspects.
Shoolini University Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla congratulated the School of Physics and Materials Science for organising the wonderful event and sharing the utility of the digital world. He further shared that such international events with the participation of illustrious speakers from across the globe had become possible due to COVID-19 generated circumstances. “We are truly becoming ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family) now.
Earlier, Dr Anirban Saha, Assistant Prof of Physics, introduced the speakers to the audience. Dr Pooja Dhiman, Assistant Prof of Physics, proposed the vote of thanks to both the speakers.
Student interaction with the renowned speakers was engaging and interesting. The webinar was moderated by Assistant Prof Gun Anit Kaur.

Emphasising the significance of meditation, Shoolini University Chancellor Prof Prem Kumar Khosla said everyone must make 15 minutes of meditation a part of their lifestyle. He was speaking during the fourth webinar, ‘Self Realisation through Yoga Meditation’ at Shoolini University. The event was organised by the Yogananda Centre for Theology (YCT), of which he is the Patron.

Other eminent speakers at the event were, Dr Kedar Nath Banerjee, Professor Emeritus, Spiritualism, Shoolini University. Dr Banerjee has done his B Tech from IIT Mumbai and PhD in Economics and Management from Lisbon University, Portugal.

Prof Khosla said meditation and Yoga were an inseparable part of Indian and Hindu heritage. Talking about Mahavatar Babaji and Lahari Mahasaya Ji, he explained how they had rejuvenated the science of Kriya Yoga. He shared many stories from the Autobiography of a Yogi (a famous spiritual classic) and explained all about Pranayama and its significance in the day-to-day life of every individual.

Dr Kedar Nath Banerjee talked about Ashtanga Yoga in the modern context. He briefed about the Vedas and the Upanishads. “Everyone wants peace, tranquillity, and bliss,” he said, explaining how Patanjali Sutra was dedicated to mental and physical wellbeing. “Our main goal should be to attain eternal peace and bliss, which is possible only by understanding the importance of Astanga Yoga,” he stated.

YCT Chairman Mr Vivek Atray presented the closing remarks and shared how Sri Paramahansa Yogananda spread the message of Yoga meditation throughout the world. YCT Coordinator Dr Prerna Bhardwaj and Assistant Prof Dr Supriya Srivastava organised the webinar along with Dr Lalit Sharma, Assistant Prof from Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University.

Belletristic, the Literature Society of the Department of English, Shoolini University, today organised a virtual farewell for the outgoing students of the department.

Although it has been a difficult time for all students because of the present pandemic situation, online classes and other activities of the Department of English have contributed towards maintaining a bond between the students and teachers. Classes have been held regularly and so have literary activities, where students participated enthusiastically.

The event included a short skit summing up student life before and during the lockdown, some poems capturing the nostalgia of the years gone by, and several short speeches by the outgoing students. In particular, the thoughts expressed by Saquib, Chetali, Ritika, and Jagriti were much appreciated.

With the academic year drawing to a close, annual examinations were conducted online, and it is now time to say our fond goodbyes. The traditional farewell ritual has been transformed into a virtual one and students of the pre-final year invited their seniors for an affectionate send-off.

Faculty members of the department, Prof Manju Jaidka, Prof Tejnath Dhar, Prof Purnima Bali, Prof Neeraj Pizar, and Prof Sakshi Sundaram, also spoke on the occasion, wishing the final year students good luck for the next stage of their lives. The organising student committee comprised Vaishali, Snehanjali, Rsvika, Garima, Sakshi, and others.

In particular, the senior students appreciated the role played by Belletristic, the Literature Society of Shoolini, in grooming them and initiating them into the excitement provided by the study of literature. Ritika Tomar who, will now be passing out, in particular, has been very actively engaged in reporting and archiving the activities of the society.

Prof PK Khosla, Chancellor of Shoolini University, Solan, was today honoured by the Indian Society of Agroforestry, Jhansi, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017, for his contributions to agroforestry research and development.?

An alumnus of Oxford University, Dr Khosla was instrumental in starting agroforestry education in the country for conservation and scientific investigations of the Himalayan trees. Prof Khosla was also at the forefront in establishing the Indian Society of Tree Scientists (ISTS) and worked as its Secretary as well as Secretary-General for more than two decades. He has edited more than 15 books related to agroforestry.

Prof Khosla has organised several National and International Conferences on Agroforestry, which earned him a distinguished place in the fraternity of Indian top scientists. He played a key role in greening the mid-Himalayas and was fondly known as a ‘Green Scientist’.

The award was conferred on four dignitaries starting 2017-20 and Prof PK Khosla was the first to receive the award (2017). Other scientists to receive the awards were, Dr PS Pathak, Former Director, Indian Grassland Institute, Jhansi (2018), Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR, New Delhi (2019), and Dr Ravi Prabhu, CIFOR, ICRAF, Nairobi (2020).

The function was held in the virtual space and Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR was the Chief Guest of the function. One hundred participants, including eminent scientists in the subject, retired and served from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and International Council of Agroforestry, Nairobi, and many other international scientists participated in the function.

In its endeavour towards a safer Covid-free world, Shoolini University, at the initiative of the Solan district health authorities, organised a special Covid camp to vaccinate faculty and staff members.

About 400 faculty and staff members were vaccinated against Covid-19 during the two camps held on the university premises.

As per a notification issued by the National Health Mission, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh had included all staff members of Shoolini University as Frontine Workers for COVID-19 vaccination. During the first camp held last week, around 200 staff members were vaccinated.

In view of the overwhelming response, the district health authorities also organised a second camp, where another 200 staff members were vaccinated. All employees above 18 years of age were eligible for vaccination, said Director Operations Brig Sunil Mehta (retd).

The camp was led by Dr Yogita, Medical Officer incharge, Primary Health Centre, Nauni, and Ms Kanta Kashyap, Health Supervisor, Community Health Centre, Dharampur.  Mr Ravi Kumar and Ms Anita Kashyap were the vaccinators. The team also included Ms Upasna Sood, Block Accountant/Data Entry Operator and Mr Arpit Bhatia, Data Entry Operator.

Brig Mehta said all staff members coming to the campus after its opening must be vaccinated. Similar camps would be organised for students as and when the authorities permitted, he added.

In its endeavour towards a safer Covid-free world, Shoolini University, at the initiative of the Solan district health authorities, organised two special camps to vaccinate faculty and staff members.

About 400 faculty and staff members were vaccinated against Covid-19 during the two camps held on the university premises.

As per a notification issued by the National Health Mission, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh had included all staff members of Shoolini University as Frontine Workers for COVID-19 vaccination. During the first camp held last week, around 200 staff members were vaccinated.

In view of the overwhelming response, the district health authorities also organised a second camp, where another 200 staff members were vaccinated. All employees above 18 years of age were eligible for vaccination, said Director Operations Brig Sunil Mehta (retd).

The camp was led by Dr Yogita, Medical Officer incharge, Primary Health Centre, Nauni, and Ms Kanta Kashyap, Health Supervisor, Community Health Centre, Dharampur.  Mr Ravi Kumar and Ms Anita Kashyap were the vaccinators. The team also included Ms Upasna Sood, Block Accountant/Data Entry Operator and Mr Arpit Bhatia, Data Entry Operator.

Brig Mehta said all staff members coming to the campus after its opening must be vaccinated. Similar camps would be organised for students as and when the authorities permitted, he added.

The power of Yoga for a healthy living is undisputed. Taking this into account, a webinar on ‘Ayurvedic Principles for Healthy Living’ was organised by the School of Yoga at Shoolini University. The keynote speaker for the webinar, Dr Ajeet Tiwari, Ayurveda Medical Officer, Government Ayurveda Hospital, Almora, Uttarakhand, spoke about the Ayurvedic remedies to avoid Covid 19.

This webinar is a part of the series of webinars being organised by the School of Yoga on the occasion of the seventh International Day of Yoga on the theme, ‘Health and Happiness’.

The welcome note was presented by the Chancellor of Shoolini University, Prof PK Khosla. Sharing his valuable experience, he said the youth should be proud of the ancient Indian principles of healthy living, as the West was also adopting them, especially during the pandemic.

Delivering his lecture, Dr Tiwari said Ayurveda was known as the fifth Veda of India. He explained about the ‘Panchamahabhootas’ of the body, discussed the location of ‘Vatta Pitta’ and ‘Kapha Doshas’ in the body and their behaviour. He explained many Ayurvedic remedies to avoid the infection of Covid 19 and Black fungus. The most important, he said, was the regular practice of ‘Nasya kriya, Ghee’ in the eyes, Mustard oil in the mouth, steam with ‘Pudina’ and Ajwain’, gargles with turmeric, golden milk and citrus fruit.

During another webinar under the series, Prof Hemanshu Sharma delivered a lecture on ‘Improving Lung Function through Naturopathy’. He talked about the Naturopathy treatment to enhance lung function that in turn helped improve mucosal immunity and innate immunity, reducing stress and improving sleep. He also emphasised a Yogic diet for a better lifestyle.

During a session, Prof Suresh Lal Barnwal said Yoga provided the ability to cope with different situations and to get rid of all suffering. It spread positivity all around, removed the frustration and helped in purification, rejuvenation and transformation of the heart, mind, body and soul. He also described the importance of Dincharya, Pranayama, Silence, Araadhana, Upasana and Sadhana in daily life.

The vote of thanks was given by Dr Subodh Sourabh Singh, Associate Prof and Head, School of Yoga, Shoolini University. The webinar was co-ordinated by Dr Mala Tripathi, Assistant Prof, School of Yoga, Shoolini University.

Shoolini University scientist and associate professor Dr. Amit Kumar has achieved a coveted h-index of 50 for his research in Chemical Sciences and Nanotechnology. His scientific production encompasses 124 research papers with total citations of 6000 to his credit.

Kumar is ranked among the World’s top 2% scientists as per a paper published at Stanford University in 2020. He has diverse research collaborations in the Instituto de Cat?lisis y Petroleoqu?mica (Spain), King Saud University (Saudi Arabia), Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (China) and Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).

Currently teaching at the School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Kumar is also co-director at the International Research Centre of Nanotechnology for Himalayan Sustainability (IRCNHS) at Shoolini University. Along with that, he is a visiting Professor at School of Technology, Glocal University and visiting faculty at Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Kumar focuses on research in the fields of optical designing of semiconductor heterojunctions as catalysts for environmental remediation and energy production. with this work, he aims to work towards waste management, cost effective waste-to-energy conversion, greenhouse gases conversion into fuels, and advanced green photocatalytic water treatment. He aims to focus on lab-scale experiments to enable pilot-scale projects to be able to achieve water detoxification and clean energy production in real-water systems and conditions.

Conservation of environment is the top priority for Shoolini University. Under this initiative, the Faculty of Sciences at Shoolini University organised a lecture on ‘Ecosystem Services’ under the Shoolini Science Web Series to celebrate World Environment Day. All faculty members, research scholars and students attended the lecture.

The interaction began with Prof Sunil Puri, Registrar, Shoolini University welcoming Chancellor Prof PK Khosla, and the speaker for the day, Prof RK Kohli, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Mohali.

Sharing the ethos of Shoolini University, Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla talked about the various steps the university had initiated towards sustainable development and to save the ecology. He said, “Shoolini University is the dream of academicians to provide high-impact, high-quality university education to lesser privileged students of Himachal and India through research, innovative learning and community service.”

Prof RK Kohli’s deliberation was very informative, and he interacted enthusiastically with students, responding to all their questions.

Prof PK Khosla congratulated the entire team for organising such interactions of global importance and thanked Prof Kohli for sparing his time to be the speaker for the day. He said research was the backbone of any university, institute, and country, and Shoolini University had made great strides in publishing quality research papers and filed 500+ patents.

Dr Mamta Sharma moderated the session and thanked Prof Kohli for accepting the invitation to speak on a crucial topic in context to the present scenario.

Prof JM Julka, Director Planning, presented vote of thanks to Prof Kohli for his valuable talk on environment conservation. He also thanked the Chancellor, Prof PK Khosla, Vice Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla, Prof Sunil Puri, Prof Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Dr Mamta Sharma and all the participants who joined the webinar.

Prof Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Dean Sciences at Shoolini University, said the web series aimed at providing an effective platform for knowledgeable interaction among reputed scientists, academicians, and students of all graduate and postgraduate programmes to popularise and create awareness about the importance of science in our lives.

‘Be an agent of change’

Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management (SILB) celebrated the World Environment Day with great enthusiasm, exuberance and excitement.

Students and staff members took this day as an opportunity to spread the message on this year’s theme, Ecosystem Restoration’ by emphasising that it was our sole responsibility to take care of Mother Nature by ourselves becoming agents of change.

The virtual celebrations began with the formal welcoming of the dignitaries, including SILB president Mrs Saroj Khosla, Director Dr Shalini Sharma and departmental heads.

The highlights of the event were the ideas expressed by the participants through audio-visual aids. Olivia, Deepali, Yogesh, Aastha Chauhan Ravi Kant, Aradhana, Smile, Srishti, Nikita and Anchal captivated the virtual audience with their artistic and intellectual insights on the importance of restoring, repairing and conserving the environment.

The celebration concluded with the closing remarks of Mrs Khosla who pledged to fight against all odds and plant more trees to save our beloved Mother Nature.

The VE -V Empower Coaching programme being run at the Shoolini University organised its second session in the series of seminars to be conducted for student development aimed at empowering the youth.

The sessions are being organised by Payal Jindal Khanna, Senior Coach at Shoolini University, under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla.

The key speaker for the session was Jayashree Marakini Braganza, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach and a consultant. She led an interactive and engaging session on the topic, ‘Working Styles in Action: Making the Most of our Preferred Styles’.

In her opening remarks, Payal Jindal Khanna quoted Tim Robbins, a bestselling author. She said, “Your working style is the way you go about your day-to-day tasks on the job. Everyone has his or her own working style – or strategy – for optimal performance at work.

The session conducted by Braganza focused on the unique combination of five working styles. These working styles had a great impact on what we did and how we did it, including how we turned up in class, our relationships, time management or even how we responded to a pandemic.

She also stated that no style was more significant or better than the other. Each Style had its strengths and “Shadow Effect”. All we needed to see was how we could maximise the strength and balance the shadow. In a relationship, how can a ‘please others’ style and a ‘be strong’ style build a mutually rewarding relationship?