PU marks foundation day with colloquium on tech advancements

Panjab University celebrated its foundation day with a PU Colloquium lecture by Infosys Co-Founder Senapathy “Kris” Gopalakrishnan on “The Transformative Power of Technology: Catalyzing India’s Future.”

Gopalakrishnan, a Padma Bhushan awardee, said India stands at an unprecedented inflection point with a chance to lead globally in the next wave of technological revolutions.

He highlighted areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, new materials and biotechnology that present opportunities for India to shift from being a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a global innovator and owner of foundational Intellectual Property (IP).

“To achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat, India must seize leadership in these sectors, create world-class businesses, and ensure IP ownership remains within the country,” he stressed.

Pointing to India’s success in IT services—today a USD 300 billion industry employing 5.5 million people—he urged academia and policymakers to replicate such achievements across new technology domains. “Technology is the ultimate economic multiplier. By leveraging it, India can create wealth, high-value jobs, and global market leadership,” he added.

Gopalakrishnan also underlined the critical role of Panjab University in shaping India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. He called upon the varsity to expand its mission beyond teaching and research to become a launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-led solutions.

“The institution has shaped leaders for generations. Today, it must lead again—by building a research and innovation ecosystem that not only creates knowledge but also companies, jobs, and solutions for India’s biggest challenges,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) Renu Vig presided over the colloquium. The lecture was attended by students, researchers, faculty and professionals.

Gopalakrishnan further urged students to embrace disruption, acquire interdisciplinary skills, and lead the charge in shaping India’s technological destiny.