Kurukshetra University’s vision for higher education

Established in 1956 as a unitary residential university, Kurukshetra University has grown from a single Department of Sanskrit into a renowned multi-faculty institution. Its foundation stone was laid by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. This January, the university celebrated its 68th Foundation Day, marking a journey that has seen it become the first government university in Haryana to secure NAAC ‘A++’ grading and the first in the country to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its entirety.

In an interaction with Nitish Sharma, Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva shares how the university is enhancing students’ skills, boosting research output and positioning itself for greater national and global recognition.

How will the NEP benefit students?

Kurukshetra University was the first in the country to fully implement the NEP 2020 — not just on campus, but across all its affiliated colleges. In line with UGC guidelines, the university has integrated multidisciplinary courses, ability enhancement courses, value-added courses, skill enhancement programmes, vocational courses and internships into its curriculum. Internships are now compulsory and this year alone, about 50,000 students from both the university and its affiliated colleges participated in them.

What steps are being taken to improve research at KU?

To promote high-quality research, the university has instituted seven research awards, which have already contributed to an improvement in both the quality and quantity of research output. Recently, KU secured a project under the Partnership for Accelerated Innovation and Research programme from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and is expecting a grant of Rs 10 crore.

Over the past three years, the university has filed around 65 patents, all of which have been published, with more than 30 already granted. KU’s research is moving beyond purely academic studies to address societal challenges. Given Haryana’s strengths in agriculture and sports, as well as its growing industrial base, research initiatives are now being tailored to improve efficiency and innovation in these sectors.

What major challenges does the university face?

The biggest challenge was implementing NEP 2020, as the number of courses doubled without an increase in teaching periods. The courses were designed strategically to keep the additional faculty requirement to just 10 per cent. Funding remains another hurdle. About five years ago, KU was facing acute financial stress. However, by engaging with the government, the university secured a substantial increase in grant-in-aid. KU’s annual budget is around Rs 500 crore, of which roughly half comes from state funding.

Faculty shortages are also a concern, with the university currently operating at 50 per cent of its sanctioned strength.

What initiatives are being taken to generate revenue?

KU is actively working to boost its self-generated revenue. One significant step is the launch of 23 online programmes, covering conventional disciplines, professional fields, cutting-edge technologies and languages. Enrolment has already crossed 10,000 and is expected to exceed 12,000. These programmes operate at zero cost to the university, making them financially sustainable.

With the flexibility that online learning offers, more students are likely to prefer this mode in the future. The UGC’s recent approval for dual degrees will further increase the appeal of such programmes.

How is KU helping students become employable?

Students are KU’s primary stakeholders and the university is committed to ensuring they leave not only with degrees but with career pathways. While government jobs are limited and high-paying corporate positions are highly competitive, KU encourages students to explore entrepreneurship. Skill development is central to this vision. The university offers online skill enhancement courses in fintech, management, technology and related fields. Two incubation centres have been set up, with 16 startups launched in the past three years.

Is KU working towards improving its ranking further?

Securing the NAAC A++ grade was a milestone for KU, making it the first state university in Haryana to do so. This accreditation is valid until January 2031. The university is now working to maintain and enhance quality standards, addressing any identified gaps.

Research excellence plays a critical role in rankings and steps are being taken to further boost publications, patents and innovation. KU’s next ambition is to feature in the QS World University Rankings, positioning itself not only as a state leader but as an institution of global repute.