PU VC Prof. Renu Vig Proposes Model Village Using Drone Tech Also Visits PU Regional Centre, Engages Alumni & Industry Leaders

Chandigarh, June 4, 2025: In a significant push for inter-university collaboration and academic innovation, Vice-Chancellors from leading public universities of Punjab today participated in a high-level meeting at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Organised as part of a series of interactions initiated by the Punjab Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, under the Group Coordinatorship of Panjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig, the meeting focused on enhancing academic cooperation, effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and tackling shared challenges in higher education across the state.

PU Vice Chancellor and Group Coordinator Prof. Renu Vig proposed joint efforts to establish a Drone Technology Centre at PU. She stressed that using the Drone Tech Centre at PU, and the agricultural knowledge base of PAU, GADVASU, a model village can be established for implementation of best technologies in the field of agriculture. She commended the Governor’s initiative in fostering academic convergence and emphasised PU’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, highlighting its collaboration with IIT Ropar, which is recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture. She also mentioned the proposals for dual degree programmes, academic leadership training, and shared innovation infrastructure, reaffirming PU’s alignment with NEP 2020’s vision of institutional cooperation.

Vice-Chancellors who addressed the meeting included Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill (GADVASU, Ludhiana), Prof. Jai S. Singh (Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala), Dr. Sanjeev Sood (Guru Ravidas Ayurved University, Hoshiarpur), and Prof. Rajeev Sood (Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot).

Each university presented recent initiatives and future focus areas through PowerPoint presentations. Vice-Chancellors also discussed strategic themes including international tie-ups, shared research infrastructure, digital innovation, and faculty exchange, and unanimously agreed that Punjab’s higher education ecosystem must prioritise unity and agility to remain globally competitive.

Chairing the session, PAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal welcomed PU’s drone research proposal and encouraged broader collaboration in climate resilience and sustainability,

The PU delegation included Prof. Gaurav Verma, Prof. Naveen Aggarwal, Prof. Santosh Upadhyay, and Prof. Kashmir Singh, who participated in academic and research discussions. The open forum witnessed strong consensus on collaboration.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig also visited the Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana, where she engaged in a dynamic session with alumni and leading industrialists of the Ludhiana region to discuss collaborative strategies for academic upliftment and student development. The interactive dialogue featured senior industry leaders including Onkar Singh Pahwa (Avon Cycles), S. S. Bhogal (Bhogal Sales Corporation), Komal Jain (Duke Fashions), Vinod Jain (Redhill India), and Ranjodh Singh (G S Radiator) along with distinguished alumni Dr. DR Bhatti, Adv. Kuldip Singh Sohi, Adv. Sukhjinder Sekhon, Adv. Inderpreet Singh, Adv. Chandan, and others. While alumni pledged support for mentorship and outreach programmes for law students, the industrialists expressed strong interest in strengthening the MBA department through internships and career guidance initiatives. Prof. Renu Vig also inaugurated the newly constructed Mai Bhago Guest Rooms and appreciated the dedication of faculty members during a meeting with Centre Director Prof. Aman Amrit Cheema and the faculty members.

Prof. Vig also met S. P. Oswal, Chairman, Vardhman Group, to thank him for the Rs 1 crore grant to SAIF PU and assured that PU would further the interests of industries in the region.