23 February 2023 - Er Raouf Aslam, a Ph.D student in the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has brought laurels to the University by winning the Stage-1 of the Grand Challenge for the development of 'Technologies for Primary Processing, Storage and Valorization of Onions.' The Grand Challenge was announced by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAFPD) to receive ideas about technical interventions needed in onion processing.

Er Raouf’s submission was based on his master’s research work carried out under the supervision of Dr MS Alam, Principal Scientist, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU. The research work titled “Design, development, and evaluation of an ozonation system for the treatment of minimally processed onion” has now been selected for ‘Proof of Concept’ development. The award includes prize money and financial support to conduct the work.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr PK Chhuneja, Dean, Postgraduate Studies; Dr TC Mittal, Head, Department of Processing and Food Engineering; and Dr MS Alam, Principal Scientist, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, congratulated the student and wished him all the best for future endeavors.

Source: https://www.pau.edu