PU Engages Ankur School Students in Online Safety

Chandigarh, September 29, 2026: Cyber Resilience Awareness Programme organised by the Centre for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (CSDE), Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh in collaboration with Ankur School, Sector 14. Students of Class VIII left with practical lessons they could share with their parents, reversing the usual flow of advice at home.
The session formed part of PU’s RUSA 2.0 Outreach and Public Engagement initiative, Building Cyber Resilience: From Campus to Community. A pre-assessment invited students to consider what they already knew about online safety, while a post-assessment allowed them to revisit their understanding after the discussion.
The students’ questions took the conversation beyond passwords and suspicious links. They asked about the history and use of ChatGPT, online games and the dark web. Their curiosity sparked a discussion about digital tools, the information people reveal online, and the choices that help them stay safe. Several students also expressed interest in pursuing cybersecurity as a career, indicating that the session had prompted them to consider the field as an opportunity to learn and contribute.
Cybersecurity expert, Tarun Malhotra led the session and responded to the students’ questions. The discussion also addressed the everyday decisions that young people can make to protect themselves and others. A classmate’s photograph shared without permission, a fake profile created as a joke, or a hurtful message forwarded to a group can have consequences far beyond the original post.
Welcoming the students, Honorary Director, CSDE, Prof. Suveera Gill said that the internet offers opportunities to learn, create, play and connect, but children should never feel they must handle a frightening or uncomfortable online experience alone. She encouraged them to speak to a parent, teacher or another trusted adult. She also reminded them that online safety includes respecting other people’s privacy and dignity.
The programme’s message, ‘Stop, Check, Protect and Report,’ gave students four actions to remember after the session. CSDE thanked Principal Aruna Dhiman and the faculty of Ankur School for hosting the programme.