VP Radhakrishnan Calls for Collective Efforts to Make Panjab University “World-Class Institution”

September 5, 2026

Chandigarh: Vice-President of India and Ex-officio Chancellor of Panjab University, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Friday called for collective efforts to transform Panjab University into a world-class institution of higher education and research.

During his visit to Panjab University in Chandigarh, Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Advanced Instrumentation Facility at the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility/Central Instrumentation Laboratories (SAIF/CIL) and the Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum (PU-TIF).

The two facilities are expected to strengthen the university’s ecosystem for academic, applied and translational research while providing advanced analytical, incubation and entrepreneurial support to researchers, innovators and industry.

Radhakrishnan highlights research and innovation

Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan recalled Panjab University’s distinguished legacy since its establishment in 1882 and highlighted its contribution to nation-building through generations of leaders, jurists, scientists, sportspersons and public servants.

He said India’s higher education and scientific research ecosystem has undergone a transformative change under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that the country is increasingly emerging as a global destination for quality education, research and innovation.

Describing the day’s inaugurations as important milestones, the Vice-President said the installation of five advanced scientific instruments — Atomic Force Microscope, Raman Spectrometer, DNA Sequencer, Flow Cytometer and FTIR Spectrometer — would significantly enhance the university’s research capabilities.

These facilities will support research in areas including nanotechnology, materials science, environmental science and genomics.

Radhakrishnan also highlighted the transformation of Bio-NEST into the Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum as a Section 8 not-for-profit company, saying the new institutional framework would support research, entrepreneurship and technology development.

He stressed that innovation grows when academia, industry, incubators and investors work together.

VP stresses research with social impact

Addressing young researchers, Radhakrishnan urged them to pursue science with purpose, remain resilient in the face of failure and develop innovations that are inclusive, scalable and capable of addressing real-world challenges.

He said research should have a meaningful impact on society and called upon students and researchers to ensure that the benefits of scientific work reach people at large.

The Vice-President also spoke about campus safety following the unfortunate death of a PhD student. He said he had immediately directed the university authorities to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of the entire campus.

According to the university, an internal committee has been constituted to review existing infrastructure and submit a detailed report. Radhakrishnan stressed that the safety and well-being of students and staff must remain the university’s highest priority.

Call for Nasha Mukt Bharat and world-class university

Radhakrishnan also called upon students to contribute towards a “Nasha Mukt Bharat” and urged them to stay away from substance abuse while encouraging their families and friends to do the same.

Concluding his address, the Vice-President expressed confidence that the new scientific facilities and Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum would strengthen the university’s contribution to research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

He urged students and faculty to convert ideas emerging from classrooms and laboratories into opportunities for youth and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Radhakrishnan called for collective efforts from the university community and invited suggestions on measures that could help transform Panjab University into a world-class institution of higher education and research.

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Haryana Governor Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Lok Sabha MP Manish Tiwari, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Professor Meenakshi Goyal and other dignitaries were present at the event.