Dr. Harminder Kaur Saini joined as Head Department of Apparel and Textile Science, College of Community Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on October 12, 2023. She began her academic career as an Assistant Professor of Clothing and Textiles at College of Home Science Kaoni in October 1992 and shifted to College of Home Science at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in June, 1998 and later promoted as Professor in October, 2010.  Dr Saini has been adjudged best teacher by the alumni of the college for the year 2001. 

Dr Saini did her B.Sc. Home Science, M.Sc. Clothing and Textiles and PhD. in Clothing and Textiles from College of Home Science, PAU, Ludhiana. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr Saini has taught number of UG and PG courses and involved in formulation & revision of UG and PG courses for Community Science and Fashion Designing. She has been actively involved in the establishment of Experiential Learning unit of the department and remained incharge of the unit for more than 5 years.  Dr Saini has restarted BSc (Hons) Fashion Designing degree programme from session 2024.  She has guided 14 M.Sc. and 6 PhD students. She has published 58 research papers, delivered 40 lectures cum demonstrations during trainings, organized and conducted more than 20 short courses/trainings. She has attended 35 conferences and workshops and has presented 17 research papers in national and international conferences. She has handled 2 adhoc projects funded by DST and UGC. She is paper setter, examiner, subject matter expert for CAS interviews and member of the Board of Studies for various Universities. Dr Saini is Coordinator of External Examination at college level from 2019 onwards.

Professional Accomplishments

Research Projects completed

1. Promotion and Pilot Production of Low Cost Sanitary Napkins using Cotton Knitwear Waste in Punjab funded by DST, Govt of India with Punjab State Council for Science     and Technology (PSCST) as PI in 2014
2. Skill Mapping and Upgradation of Production Workforce of Ludhiana Knitwear Industry Funded by UGC, New Delhi in 2018 as Co-PI

Research  publications

1. Gupta L and Saini H K (2020) Achieving sustainability through zero waste fashion –A Review.Current World Environment ISSN: 0973-4929, Vol. 15 (2): 154-162 NAAS Rating 4.98
2. Jasmine A and Saini H K (2023) Consumer Acceptance of Woven Inaphee Inspired from Warli Art Motifs International Journal of Applied Home Science Volume 10 (5 & 6) : 132-136 Impact Factor : 6.111 
3. Devi O R and Saini H K (2023) Utilization of Heliconia rostrata (Lobster claw) Fibre for Developing Eco-friendly Home Textile Products Indian Journal of Ecology 50(4): 1204-08   NAAS Rating 5.79
4. Soun Bhawna, Saini H K and Brar K (2023) Development of Handloom Union Fabric from Ecofriendly Sisal Fibre and Characterization Indian Journal of Ecology 50(4): 1199-1203 NAAS Rating 5.79
5. Soun Bhawna, Saini H K and Brar K (2023) Study on properties of sisal-cotton fabrics developed in Handloom and Power-loom for textile application. Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Engineering (IJFTE) ISSN: 2582-936X (Online), 3(1): 1-4 open access Lattice Science Publication (LSP)
6. Kaur K and Saini H K (2022) Retailer’s awareness regarding use of visual merchandising in apparel retail stores International journal  Home Science  8(1) : 103-08  RJIF 5.3 

Awards

1. Gupta L and Saini H K (2018) Zero waste garmenting: A step towards sustainable fashion. Poster presentation during21^st Punjab science congress on “Scientific advances for inclusive development and environmental protection” held at PAU, Ludhiana, from 7-9 Feb.2018.Bagged Best Poster Award