PU’s 6th global alumni meet to celebrate legacy, leadership across continents

The corridors of Panjab University (PU) are abuzz with anticipation as the institution prepares to host its sixth Global Alumni Meet 2025 on November 1. The event will bring together eminent alumni from across the world who have excelled in diverse fields, including academia, governance, performing arts, judiciary, and global service. The meet, to be held at the university’s Law Auditorium, will be presided over by PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig, who described the event 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 are distinguished personalities, including Justice Swatanter Kumar, former Supreme Court judge and former chairperson of National Green Tribunal; Prof Emeritus Dr Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, Padma Shri awardee and iconic theatre director; Dr Sagar Preet Hooda, DGP, 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.

Sharing details, PU VC Prof Renu Vig said that the event reflects the university’s commitment to “fostering global partnerships and leveraging alumni expertise to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal transformation”. She added that the participation of alumni from across continents, including 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.

The reunion also highlights the collective impact of alumni contributions across departments. From the establishment of an AI Data Centre at UIET, a modern Zoology Auditorium, and upgraded facilities at the University Business School, to research advancements in Biophysics, Human Genome Studies, Computer Science, and Defence and National Security Studies, alumni have played a pivotal role in transforming PU’s academic and research landscape. Scholarships, mentorship programs, placement initiatives, and international collaborations supported by alumni have further strengthened the university’s mission of bridging academia with industry.

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

Acharya Krishan Kant Attri, MBE, 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 wellbeing, lifestyle balance, and mental fitness.

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