Amritsar, 21 Nov 2014: (Bharat Sandesh News):– The celebration of foundation day on such a grand scale is a regular and distinct feature of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. The founders of this institution had conceived foundation day to be an occasion of not only celebrations but also a day for seeking Guru’s blessings and imbibing new ideas.
On 45th Foundation Day of the Guru Nanak Dev University, it is gratifying to mention that the history of the University is the story of success in Academics, research, sports and cultural activities under the able stewardship of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.S. Brar. The excellent infrastructural facilities, learned faculty and green and clean modern campus are the favoured factors which made Guru Nanak Dev University most preferred destination among students of the Country. After serving 44 years in the service of mankind to serve this border belt in the field of higher education and research, a temple of knowledge – ‘Guru Nanak Dev University’, this university so far has produced many intellectuals that are working in various fields not only in India but at international level also.
Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar on November 24, 1969 to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is both a residential and an affiliating university. In conceiving the future course of the University, the objectives enshrined in the Guru Nanak Dev University Act 1969, emphasized that the new University would make provision for imparting education and promoting research in the humanities, learned professions, sciences, especially of applied nature and technology.
The University is successfully catering to twenty four thousand students in various faculties at University Campuses and Constituent Colleges and are taught by about six hundred competent faculty. Guru Nanak Dev University is the first University of the region which introduced on-line admissions to its courses, on-line counselling for State Level Admissions and Credit Based Evaluation System. All the results have been computerized and OMR (Optical Magnetic Recognition) system is being used to bring in more efficiency and transparency. It is again first for any University in the region to have computerized its examination and registration system.
An “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 integrated system will improve the delivery of services through workflow and web-enabled access which will further help the University to reduce its operational costs and to provide processed information to all its stakeholders at a fast pace.
Ranked 11th amongst the top 15 Universities by the UGC under UPE Scheme, Guru Nanak Dev University has been exhibiting high standards of education (teaching, Research, Sports, Cultural Activities) with choice based credit system in teaching; has procured high-end sophisticated scientific instruments and has earned the most coveted titles of UPA and CPEPA from University Grants Commission. A large number of departments are today recognized under DRS, SAP, COSIST, FIST and PURSE grants of the UGC and DST. A total of 4 regional campuses and 9 constituent colleges have taken the light of higher education to villages and remote areas of the Punjab state. Trophies won in the fields of sports (PRESTIGIOUS MAKA Trophy – record 22 times) & cultural activities (Champions and Runners Up in All India Youth Festivals) are our unbeatable strengths.
The studies and research on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, in addition to working towards the promotion of Punjabi language and spreading education among educationally backward classes and communities were the other commitments. In consonance with these expectations, the university in its eventful history of 44 years has taken long strides in spreading the message of the Guru Nanak Dev ji and promoting education in such fields as Science, Arts, Management, Information Technology, Industrial Technology, Environment, Planning and Architecture. To fulfill its commitment, the tuition fee charged from the students of the departments of Guru Nanak Studies and the School of Punjabi Studies has been waived.
Last year, this University was declared University with Potential for Excellence by University Grants Commission, New Delhi to establish Centres of Advance Studies in Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Sciences and Comparative Literature. The University is accredited with a CGPA of 3.5 out of 4 with ‘A’ Grade, highest for any University by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and Academic Staff College of the University placed at 12th rank by NAAC, Bengaluru.
The motto of the University as engraved on its emblem Guru’s wisdom illumines all speaks of the vision and idealism for which the University stands. Spread over a stretch of 500 acres towards the west of the City, Guru Nanak Dev University presents a picture of modern architecture. Traditional red brick geometrical blocks represent its regard for time-honoured values and commitment to scientific advancement. Making its humble beginning in an annexe of the adjoining Khalsa College, the University today boasts of 37 academic departments at the University Campus and 148 affiliated colleges and 71 Associate Institutes. It has been the effort of the University to be proactive in its reach to the rural masses. Starting of Rural Colleges in Chung, Mithra, Verka, Narot Jaimal Singh and Patti under the PunjabGovt./UGC scheme; and two Regional Campuses – one at Sathiala and Fattu Dhinga (Sultanpur Lodhi), Distt. Kapurthala shows the concern of the University for the upliftment of education in rural backward areas.
The university is continuously adding to the infrastructure to promote various sports activities on the campus. A new synthetic turf was laid for hockey and a new Velodrome conforming to international standards was built recently. We are aware of our rich cultural heritage which is getting in to oblivion at a fast pace. A heritage village is constructed for a show case of our rich cultural heritage in an 11 acre piece of land in the University.
In the field of Science and Technology our University is one of the leading institutions in North India, the faculty members have bagged prestigious projects from the apex bodies like the DST, CSIR, BARC and other organizations worth crores of rupees. The University has purchased instruments worth 70 crore under different schemes. Track record of employment of its students by big business Houses and Multi National Companies has been very satisfactory. The students of Engineering and Commerce field are employed by 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.