PU establishes PACER and Cybersecurity Skill Labs

Chandigarh, January 20, 2026: Panjab University (PU) today inaugurated its state-of-the-art PACER Lab (PCB Design and Fabrication Lab) and the Cybersecurity Skill Lab at the Centre for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (CSDE). The major infrastructure facilities have been set up to enhance innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship across the University campus under RUSA 2.0.
Both the PACER Lab and the Cybersecurity Skill Lab, along with their facilities, are open to students from across the country and are not restricted to PU students alone.
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Prof. Renu Vig, PU Vice-Chancellor. The event was graced by Geetanjali Khandelwal, Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh, as the Chief Guest and Mehta S. Damodaran, Founder Director, Entuple and Trellisign Technologies, as the Guest of Honour. Prof. Meenakshi Goyal, Director, RDC; Prof. Y.P. Verma, Registrar; Prof. G.R. Choudhary, Coordinator, RUSA; Prof. Suveera Gill, Honorary Director, CSDE; Prof. Naveen Aggarwal; and Prof. Vishal Sharma, Coordinator, Cybersecurity Skill Lab, were also present on the occasion.
Explaining the importance of the PACER Lab, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig said that in today’s largely theory-oriented education system, hands-on exposure to printed circuit board (PCB) designing and fabrication is crucial for students. She noted that this facility will enable students, research scholars, and young innovators to design and develop their own prototypes, execute academic projects, and receive practical training essential for student-led startups and entrepreneurial ventures. She added that the PACER Lab will serve as a vital bridge between academia and industry by promoting applied research, innovation, and skill-based education.
Highlighting the growing importance of digital safety, Prof. Vig also stressed the need to strengthen cybersecurity education. She appreciated the initiatives undertaken under the CSDE for developing advanced infrastructure and training programmes in the field of cybersecurity. She noted that creating a strong pool of cybersecurity professionals is essential to protect digital systems and ensure a secure technological future.
Expressing confidence in these initiatives, Prof. Vig said that the PACER Lab and the Cybersecurity Skill Lab would significantly contribute to nurturing skilled manpower, promoting entrepreneurship, and establishing Panjab University as a leading hub of innovation and industry–academia collaboration.
The Chief Guest, Geetanjali Khandelwal, Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh, highlighted the growing threat of cybercrimes and stressed the urgent need for cybersecurity awareness among citizens, particularly youth and senior citizens. She cautioned that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable groups through fraudulent APK files, fake job and visa offers, and the alarming practice of “digital arrest,” causing severe financial losses and psychological distress. She described cybercrime as a form of “economic warfare” that is steadily affecting the financial stability and trust of people across society.
Mehta S. Damodaran, Founder and Director of Entuple Technologies Pvt. Ltd., emphasised the critical importance of practical knowledge and hands-on experience in shaping industry-ready professionals. Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the PACER Lab, he lauded the visionary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Renu Vig, for establishing a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to experiential learning and innovation. He stressed that in today’s competitive technological environment, theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient and must be complemented with real-time practical exposure.
Prof. Y.P. Verma, Registrar, and Prof. Meenakshi Goyal, Director, RDC, appreciated the newly developed facilities and expressed hope that these facilities will strengthen the quality of projects and research.
On the same occasion, Panjab University also launched a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled “PCB Design and Fabrication for Electronic Hardware Realization.” The FDP is being organized by the PACER Lab, DIC, Panjab University, in association with Entuple Technologies.