24 June, 2022: FMC India, an agricultural sciences company, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of the country’s premier agriculture universities - Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana. The collaboration is part of FMC’s multi-year scholarship program for renowned agricultural schools across eight states in India aimed at promoting talent in the field of agriculture. The MOU was signed by Dr. Anandakrishnan Balaraman, Director, Research & Development at FMC India, and Dr. Shammi Kapoor, The Registrar, PAU in the august presence of Dr. (Mrs.) Sandeep Bains, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, other Directors, Deans and Heads of various departments of the university.
Under the agreement with Punjab Agriculture University, FMC will award four scholarships annually to students from the university pursuing doctorate and master’s degrees in agricultural sciences. FMC will work with the university to identify its brightest students and develop their passion for science and research. Fifty percent of the scholarships have been earmarked for female candidates to encourage more women to pursue careers in agricultural sciences and research. In addition to the scholarships, FMC will further enhance its long-standing collaborative research work, and strategic alliances ongoing with the university.
“The FMC Science Leaders Scholarship Program is designed with an aim to create greater opportunities for aspiring scientists to develop their aptitude in agricultural research. Additionally, through the FMC scholarships, the awardees will be provided opportunity to internship and industry mentorship for their overall development. This will encourage students to pursue rewarding careers in the agricultural industry and eventually contribute to Indian agriculture by solving the emerging problems of the farming community,” said Dr. Anandakrishnan Balaraman, Research and Development Director at FMC India.
Dr. Shammi Kapoor, the Registrar of PAU, applauded the contributions made by FMC for providing comprehensive solutions in the farm and food sector, keeping Farmers First in the strategy, planning and action plans. “Scholarships like the FMC Science Leaders Scholarship Program will strongly help in developing futuristic sustainable agricultural technologies by motivating the young innovative minds of scholars in the institutions. Involving industry experts as mentors will enhance the skill set of the students and help them make promising contributions to the growth of the country,” said Dr. Kapoor, speaking at the occasion.
Dr. (Mrs.) Sandeep Bains, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, PAU, also appreciated the initiative taken by FMC for supporting the students in universities pursue higher education and building professional excellence in their subject areas. She highlighted the collaborations PAU was having with leading industry partners in various academic, research and extension programmes and emphasised the importance of such collaborations in building future students and the economy.
PAU also organized a dedicated interaction of Universities Post graduate students with the visiting FMC experts that helped the student community explore career opportunities in the agricultural industry in general and FMC in particular.
About FMC
FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC’s innovative crop protection solutions – including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture – enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management professionals to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,400 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com and ag.fmc.com/in/en to learn more and follow FMC India on Facebook® and YouTube®.