Panjab University partners UK foundation to launch School of Entrepreneurial Mindset, digital innovation courses

Chandigarh, February 10, 2026: Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, today strengthened its global academic footprint by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Haydn Green Foundation, United Kingdom, to establish and operationalise the School of Entrepreneurial Mindset (SEM) and to scale high-quality learning in innovation and entrepreneurship through a technology-enabled model.
 
The SEM will function as a dedicated academic platform to nurture start-up ideas and socially relevant ventures. With this partnership, PU students will gain access to structured training in entrepreneurial thinking, innovation practices and real-world problem-solving.
 
The agreement to introduce digital courses in innovation and entrepreneurship for students was signed at the Centre for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the presence of PU Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig and Mr Hardev Singh, Chair and Founder Trustee of the Haydn Green Foundation. Registrar Prof Yajvender Pal Verma signed the MoU on behalf of the university. Representatives of the British Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh and various PU officers and academics, including Prof Suveera Gill, Honorary Director, Centre for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, were also present on the occasion.
 
The MoU outlines joint promotion and learner outreach for SEM courses. It further provides for the organisation of related competitions and student activities, including linkages with HGF’s flagship initiative.
 
On this occasion, the PU Vice Chancellor, Prof Renu Vig, also launched three credit-based digital courses — Innovative and Creative Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Entrepreneurship for Women. Each course will carry three credits and run for eight weeks, with 45 hours of guided learning.
 
The courses will be delivered through a dedicated PU-HGF Learning Experience Platform, offering live cohort sessions, interactive learning support, structured assessments and verifiable digital credentials. The model is designed to provide flexible yet rigorous learning suited to present-day career pathways.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Renu Vig said the university already has an ecosystem for pre-incubation, incubation and post-incubation support. However, a structured mechanism for delivering courses in innovation, creative thinking and entrepreneurship was lacking. She said this gap has now been addressed through the CSDE. She added that the SEM will promote start-up culture both on the campus and across affiliated colleges, in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 which emphasises innovation-led growth and youth empowerment. It is expected that the CDOE will further adopt technology and expand delivery in digital mode. A dedicated lab for recording lectures has already been set up at CDOE. She said adoption of the latest techniques in course delivery will significantly enhance outreach and access for students.
 
Hardev Singh said the partnership signals the beginning of a new phase centred on creativity, innovation and purpose. He said that in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and global connectivity, the real differentiator lies in creative thinking and the ability to convert ideas into meaningful action. He noted that the Foundation’s journey in advancing entrepreneurial education in the UK now finds a strong partner in Panjab University, with a shared commitment to preparing young minds for emerging global challenges. He said entrepreneurship is not merely a subject but a mindset, encouraging students to act with confidence, learn from failure and translate imagination into real-world impact.