GNDU passes Rs 481-cr budget

ibune News Service

Amritsar, February 25

The syndicate and senate of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) on Monday approved the budget estimates for Rs 4,81,72,91,000 for 2019-20.

The university plans to spend 53.44 per cent of the amount on improvement in teaching, allied teaching, research and education. The university will also focus on financial assistance in the form of scholarships to deserving students.

Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, presided over the meetings and Prof Karanjeet Singh Kahlon, Registrar, presented the agenda.

Keeping in view the 550th celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the university will convert its regional campus in Fattu Dhinga (Sultanpur Lodhi) into a constituent college and rename it if desired so by the government. The university will establish departments of mass communication and agriculture, directorate of evening studies and online studies from this academic session.

The GNDU will award honoris causa doctorate degrees at its 45th annual convocation to Raja Randhir Singh, Life Vice-President, Indian Olympic Association, in the field faculty of sports medicine and physiotherapy and Dr Gurtej S Sandhu, Senior Fellow and Director, Micron Technology Inc. in the faculty of sciences.

In the financial year 2018-19, the university spent Rs 2,43,52000 on feel of economically backward and intelligent students. Similarly, Rs 4,80,000 was spent on scholarships of physically challeged students. Other special scholarships and facilities in terms of financial help were also provided to sports personalities and student-artistes to encourage them to participate in cultural and sports activities.

Grant worth Rs 19 crore was received from various funding agencies and schemes by teachers of various departments during 2018-19 for various research projects.

Prof Sandhu also informed the house about the achievements of the university in the field of research, education, culture, sports and excellent campus placements during this year. Approval was also given to start new courses and also discontinuation of some courses already running in various colleges.