Another year of achievements for Amritsar, December 27 : Apart from construction of Lecture Theatre Complex, Hostel buildings and nearing completion of Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan building equipped with all modern facilities added this year in the family of the Guru Nanak Dev University. This Year University also witnessed all round growth in the fields of academics, culture and sports together under the able stewardship of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.S. Brar.
To make its approach more international, this year, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada to promote scholarly activities, mutual exchange of students & faculty and International Understanding. A high powered Australian delegation comprising of educationists, senior journalists and staff of senior politicians lead by Prof. Alex Singh, Director, KAPS Educational Institute, Melbourne also interacted with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ajaib Singh Brar and faculty of the University regarding mutual research collaboration and promotion of other academic programmes between the two countries. Many faculty members of the University visited other countries and presented their research papers in various Conferences and Symposia of International repute. During this year, Guru Nanak Dev University became one of the leading institution in North India in the field of Science and Technology. Our faculty members have bagged prestigious projects from the apex bodies like the DBT, CSIR, BARC, UGC, DST and other organizations worth crores of rupees. Recently, BARC has established a Nodal Calibration Centre at the campus. This is one of the four centres established all over the country. This year, there was a record number of admissions of about 21 thousand students in various faculties at University Campuses and Constituent Colleges. They are taken care by about 600 competent faculties. Our students of engineering and commerce field are employed by reputed companies in India and abroad. They are all contributing to the credit worthiness of the University by their hard work and diligence. In the last year alone, almost all our Engineering students were recruited by various companies through campus placements. Track record of employment of our students by big business Houses and Multi National Companies has been very satisfactory. The UGC has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 54 lacs for the upgradation of the Microbiology Department. The Department has been approved for up-gradation to DRS-II level. “ERP Solution” is being introduced in the university to address its requirements in the area of Academic & Administration Management. After the implementation of the application, the University will be able to conduct all academic & administration functions and procedures online. The application will be extended in a seamless and in an integration manner, to take care of all academic and all the administrative functions, procedures and requirements of the University. This year, the University achieved the highest sports Award in the country for 2010-11, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for a record of 22 times. The University has also won the North Zone Inter-University Cultural Championship for 13 times this year, including winning it five times in a row. In the field of sports, this year, Abhishek Verma of the University represented India in Compound Archery team in 18th Asian Archery Championship held at Taiwan and won Gold medal in Men team, Gold Medal in mixed team and one silver medal in Individual Olympic Round and India finished Overall second in the championship. Ms. Anjali Kumari secured silver medal in compound individual round and Abhishek Verma secured gold medal in compound team in Asian Grand Prix Championship held at Bangkok (Thailand). Ms. Khushbir kaur secured fourth place in Asian 20 km. race walk championship held at Nomi, Japan. In the Asian Power Lifting Championship held at Coimbatore, Pooja got silver medal in +84 kg. Dr. H.S. Randhawa, Deputy Director Sports & Head was the Deputy Head of Indian Delegation for World Universiade Games, Kazan. Ms. Rajwinder Kaur, Shooting Coach was the coach of Indian Shooting team for World Universiade Games, Kazan. Aman Ghai in Swimming and Maninder Singh in Athletics was the member of Indian Contingent for World Universiade Games, Kazan. Amanpreet Singh shooter participated in World Cup Shooting championship held at fort Benning, USA. During this year University organised four all India Inter-University Championships. Guru Nanak Dev University organized All India Inter University Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Competitions this year. The University was overall runnersup in this championship and winner in Water Polo tournament. The University also organized Canoeing and Kayaking (Men and Women) Championship at Pong Dam, Talwara in which GNDU also became overall winner. Academic Staff College of the University placed at 12th rank by NAAC, Bengaluru. This year Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman University Grants Commission inaugurated UGC-Academic Staff College Guest House constructed at the University Campus. The Department of Education has also come into existence this year. A record number of 15 General Orientation Courses, Refresher Courses and Short Term Courses were organized under various faculties by this Department during last year. University got the status of UPE last year and because of this it is the only state university in Punjab where every Ph.D. student (Non-NET qualified) gets Rs. 8,000 per month as fellowship from current academic session. This year, during 39th Annual Convocation, University awarded Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree upon Padmashree Dr. K.S. Chug, Emeritus Professor of Nephrology, PGIMER, Chandigarh and degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) upon Dr. Shivraj Bashettiapa Nakade, an able administrator and well known scholar of Constitutional Law and International Law. During 44th Annual Foundation Day, this year, His Excellency Sh. N.N. Vohra, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir delivered his lecture and Prof. Deepak Pental, Former Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University, Delhi and Prof. Rattan Singh Jaggi, Professor Emeritus, Punjabi University, Patiala also presented their views on this occasion. Prof. Dr. S.S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot; Prof. Dr. M.P.S. Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, Jammu University and many academicians and eminent personalities of the city participated in these celebrations.