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From the Vice Chancellor’s Desk

Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu
Vice Chancellor

Guru Nanak Dev University, which goes beyond the lecture theatres to a place where experiments and experiences are the educators, looks beyond complications to elucidations that address societal, technical and commercial needs, and works beyond the laboratories to the research that drives businesses, establishments and society, has rightly been conferred upon the status of “University with Potential for Excellence” by UGC and accredited with “A++” grade (highest level) with a scale of 3.85 out of 4 pointscale by NAAC. Being at the forefront of innovation, invention and novelty, a home to transformational research and enthused learning, the University has also earned “Category One” status and has become the only University to receive this elite status in the region of Punjab and Chandigarh. With the forte to persistently endeavour to become better and the undying zeal to achieve majestic acmes, the University has created a niche for itself at the global level and as a result, MHRD, Government of India has recognized our University as one of the top ten “High Performing State Public Universities” across India. For sweating to reduce its carbon footprint and maintain cleanliness on campus, Guru Nanak Dev University has been ranked second amongst the cleanest higher educational institutions in the country in the category of Government Universities by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

As Guru Nanak Dev University is committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge and creating a diverse and inclusive community, our NIRF Rank has risen from 80th in 2017 to 48th in 2023. In the World Universities Ranking (CWUR) our University is placed amongst the top 23% of the universities. We have also won the highest sports award in the country, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, for a record of 25 times. It has been awarded “One District One Green Champion” by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. The University had been the winner of both North Zone and National Inter-University Youth Festivals in 2017-18 and was runner up for the same in 2018-19 and 2022-23. More than twenty departments of the University have received varied grants under UGC-SAP, DST-FIST, and PURSE, in addition to the individual grants received by the faculty. The University has received substantial funding for establishing Centre for Interfaith Studies and MYAS-GNDU Centre for Sports Sciences besides RUSA & other grants. Two Academies for Fencing and Archery have been allocated to Guru Nanak Dev University under “Khelo India” scheme of the Government of India. Additionally, two Centres for Handball and Hockey have also been allocated to GNDU under the same scheme. Government of India has allotted us four Centres of Excellence in Sports (Athletics, Fencing, Cycling & Swimming) and sanctioned a grant of Rs 17 Crores.

Through a wide array of extracurricular activities, community engagement initiatives, and leadership development programs, we nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and ethically grounded. Our commitment to student support services, mentorship programs, and experiential learning opportunities has helped to cultivate the next generation of leaders, scholars, and global citizens. An Amphi Theatre named ‘Golden Expressions’ has been constructed to provide a platform to all the students to express themselves. More than 80% students have been placed successfully by 92 various Multi-National Companies. Furthermore, our university boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, cutting-edge research facilities, libraries, sports complexes and hostels. Our lush green campus provides an ideal environment for learning, collaboration, and personal growth, fostering a sense of community and belonging among our students, faculty, and staff.

The Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (GJCEI), established at Guru Nanak Dev University as part of RUSA 2.0’s Component-4, actively fosters entrepreneurship and innovation to drive economic growth. It boasts a cutting-edge infrastructure currently accommodating nineteen start-ups and overseeing seven innovation-driven projects worth ₹68.91 lakhs. Additionally, within the university, the Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CARI) has been established, aiming to integrate research and education in agriculture, food systems, and the environment. Notably, CARI focuses on cultivating high-value, non-traditional crops like low-chilled apples, bananas, saffron, and elite sweet potato varieties enriched with beta-carotene and anthocyanin.

With a vision to shape the future of our learners, Guru Nanak Dev University is building a sturdy network of global partnerships by fashioning bridges with industries, institutions and communities. The university has also taken initiatives to make many of its processes digitalized. Our Credit Based Evaluation System and a well-developed Placement Cell assure the continuity of learning process and employment security to our students. In order to prepare the students for a highly networked and competitive world, the University supports their interests, emboldens them to develop individual perspectives, and instills managerial and administrative skills in them. Since we attempt to transform our industrious students into smart team players, ethical leaders and conscientious citizens, Guru Nanak Dev University has witnessed a substantial increase of 40% admissions from the last four years, despite an overall fall in admissions in the State.

Moreover, admirable architecture, up-to-the-minute substructure in well-equipped laboratories, modern-day studios/classrooms for research and teaching, Guru Nanak Dev University is known to provide a conducive ambience for work which has helped many members of faculty and researchers win esteemed national and international recognitions and major research projects from the UGC. The provision of interdisciplinary relationship between science and literature, economics and environment, social sciences and linguistics, physiotherapy and psychology has brought Governmental recognition to members of our faculty. Many members of the University are serving the Government of India in the highest capacities. It is a matter of pride that the h-index of the University has increased to 145. Guru Nanak Dev University is a beacon of light in the field of education standing tall year after year with its worthy credentials and successful achievements and it will continue to excel with its forward looking approach.