CU Punjab Hosts Industry-Academia Dialogue to Foster Research, Innovation and Regional Development

Bathinda, May 30, 2026: The Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), Bathinda, hosted an interaction session with representatives of Laghu Udyog Bharti, Bathinda, and the Rice Millers Association, Bathinda, on Friday to discuss collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing industrial challenges through research, innovation, and technology-driven solutions.
During the meeting, the representatives felicitated and expressed their gratitude to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari for establishing the NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratory at CU Punjab. They appreciated the University's efforts in creating advanced testing facilities that will benefit local industries, particularly the food processing sector, by providing reliable and quality-assured testing services within the region.
The delegation included Avnish Khosla, President, Laghu Udyog Bharti, Bathinda; Sanjay Jaitwani, General Secretary, Laghu Udyog Bharti; Narain Garg, President, Rice Millers Association, Bathinda; Arun Vicky; Ramesh Goyal; and Rahul Garg.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari emphasized the importance of strengthening industry-academia collaborations to promote innovation-led development and address real-world challenges through scientific research. He urged faculty members and industry representatives to work together in identifying local problems and developing practical, sustainable solutions.
During the interaction, Prof. Tiwari requested the industry members to extend support in developing dies for manufacturing rice-straw-based tableware and cutlery, an innovative startup initiative currently incubated at the Central University of Punjab Research and Development Foundation (CUPRDF) Incubator. He highlighted the potential of such eco-friendly products in reducing agricultural waste and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.
The industrialists also sought the University's support in exploring research-based applications of rice husk for the development of sustainable value-added products. In addition, they requested faculty members from the School of Basic and Applied Sciences to design a low-cost compact transmitter that could address specific industrial requirements.
The delegation further requested the University to share scientific data related to air pollution levels in and around the Bathinda waste disposal facility, which could support evidence-based decision-making and environmental management efforts.
Responding positively to the suggestions, Prof. Tiwari assigned the concerned faculty members the task of undertaking land-to-lab research focused on local industrial and environmental challenges. He encouraged researchers to develop innovative, affordable, and scalable solutions that can directly benefit industry and society.
On this occasion, Prof. R.K. Wusirika, Director Food Testing Lab and Dean incharge Academics CU Punjab, Prof. Anjana Munshi, Director R&D, Prof. Monisha Dhiman, Director IQAC, Prof. Vinod Pathania, TPO, CU Punjab, Prof. Raj Kumar, Incharge, CIL, along with faculty members and university officials, were also present.
The interaction concluded with a shared commitment to fostering stronger partnerships between academia and industry for promoting sustainable development, technological innovation, and regional growth.