PU gears up for Global Alumni Meet

The corridors of Panjab University (PU) are abuzz with anticipation as the institution readies to host its sixth Global Alumni Meet-2025 on November 1, which will bring together eminent alumni from across the world who have excelled in diverse fields.

The event, to be held at the University’s Law Auditorium, will be presided over by PU Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig, who described the meet as “a celebration of shared roots, lifelong learning and global impact.”

From the nostalgia of hostel corridors and library lanes to the pride of international achievements, the meet will see accomplished graduates reunite to celebrate their alma mater and inspire the next generation of students. The spirit of reconnection, reflection and collaboration forms the heart of this edition, underscoring PU’s continuing efforts to strengthen its worldwide alumni network as a key partner in academic and institutional growth.

Among those attending the event are distinguished personalities including Justice Swatanter Kumar, former Supreme Court Judge and former Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal; Prof Emeritus Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, Padma Shri awardee and iconic theatre director; Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, Director General of Police, Chandigarh; Acharya Krishan Kant Attri, MBE, the first Hindu Chaplain to the British Armed Forces; and Yogi Sukh Dev, a performance coach who has worked with some of the world’s leading athletes and India’s cricket legends.

Dr Vig told The Tribune that the event reflected the university’s commitment to “fostering global partnerships and leveraging alumni expertise to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship and societal transformation.”

The participation of alumni across continents — from Canada, Singapore, the UK and Australia —symbolises PU’s growing international footprint and the enduring emotional bond that connects former students with their alma mater, she added.

As part of the day-long celebrations, alumni will engage in discussions with the Vice-Chancellor and faculty on collaboration opportunities, innovation-led initiatives and strengthening the mentorship ecosystem for current students. The meet will also felicitate golden and silver jubilee batches, followed by cultural performances and networking sessions.

This sixth edition of the Global Alumni Meet stands as a testament to Panjab University’s enduring legacy and the deep emotional connection its alumni maintain with their alma mater. Dr Vig said, “Every alumnus is a living chapter in the university’s story — one that continues to inspire future generations to dream, serve and to lead.”

Distinguished guests to grace the event

Acharya Krishan Kant Attri, a PU alumnus from Hoshiarpur, created history as the first Hindu Chaplain appointed to the British Armed Forces in 2005. Holding the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he has worked tirelessly to promote interfaith harmony and spiritual welfare among armed forces personnel. His marathon running, charity drives and interfaith initiatives exemplify the spirit of service and global citizenship nurtured at PU.

Yogi Sukh Dev, returning from Singapore, brings over two decades of experience in peak performance training with elite athletes, including Olympians and Indian cricket greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni. A former triathlete who represented India in the 1996 Asian Triathlon Championships, he will lead an interactive session on holistic well-being, lifestyle balance and mental fitness.

Prof Emeritus Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry will share insights from her journey as one of India’s most celebrated theatre directors, while Justice Swatanter Kumar and Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda will reflect on their professional journeys and the formative role of PU in their lives.