Panjab University Organises Two-Day Orientation Programme for New Public Health Students

Chandigarh, 15 October 2026: The Centre for Public Health (CPH), Panjab University, Chandigarh, organised a two-day Orientation Programme for the new batch of Master of Public Health (MPH) students on 14-15 October. The programme was designed to familiarise students with foundational concepts of public health and introduce key areas of learning, research, and practice.
The first day of the programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Prof. Renu Vig, Former Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, in the presence of Dr Manoj Kumar, Chairperson, distinguished speakers, and faculty members. Dr Manoj Kumar extended a warm welcome to Prof. Renu Vig and felicitated her. He also welcomed the newly admitted batch of Master of Public Health (MPH) students, encouraging them to make the most of their academic journey. The distinguished speakers, Dr Kapil Goel and Dr Tanvi Kiran, Associate Professors, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, along with Dr Pihu Vashisht, alumna of the Centre for Public Health, were also felicitated by the Chief Guest and the Chairperson.
In the inaugural address, Prof. Renu Vig reflected on the history and legacy of Panjab University. The significance of 14 October was highlighted as the date on which the University was established in Lahore during British rule, before Partition. Students were encouraged to participate in extracurricular and sports activities while maintaining a strong focus on academic learning and the pursuit of knowledge.
The academic sessions on the first day introduced students to important public health concepts. Dr Kapil Goel delivered a lecture on the fundamentals of epidemiology and discussed communicable diseases, highlighting the role of epidemiological approaches in understanding and addressing health challenges.
Dr Tanvi Kiran delivered a session on health promotion, health economics, and biostatistics, introducing students to key perspectives and methods relevant to public health planning, decision-making, and practice.
The first day concluded with an interactive session with Dr Pihu Vashisht, an alumna of the Centre for Public Health, Panjab University. The interaction offered students an opportunity to learn from alumni experience and gain insights relevant to academic development and future careers in public health.
The second day of the programme featured a session on “Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Youth” by Dr Rupinder Kaur, Chief Medical Officer, Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Institute of Health, Panjab University, Chandigarh, who highlighted common lifestyle-related diseases and emphasised the importance of healthy eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management in promoting health and preventing diseases among youth.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Dr Manoj Kumar, Chairperson, Centre for Public Health, Panjab University, and coordinated by the faculty members Dr Paravreet Kaur and Poonam Sharma.
The two-day orientation programme provided MPH students with an introduction to key areas of public health, including epidemiology, communicable diseases, health promotion, health economics, biostatistics, and healthy lifestyle practices. The programme also created opportunities for interaction with experienced professionals, faculty members, and alumni.