Punjabi varsity gets Rs 20 cr under PM Usha scheme

Patiala, February 19

Punjabi University has secured a grant of Rs 20 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM Usha). Five universities of Punjab had applied for this grant, of which only Punjabi University has been able to fulfil all its criteria.

Vice-Chancellor Arvind expressed his pleasure on this success and congratulated the entire staff and students of the university.

Professor Arvind said this had been possible due to the hard work of the staff and students of the university. It is a matter of pride and satisfaction for the university that all parameters of PM Usha have been fulfilled only by our university, he added.

Prof Arvind said it had increased our responsibility and the staff and students of the university would have to work with utmost sincerity to maintain the status of the university. The university has received this grant for three years under PM Usha under the able guidance of Professor Arvind.

This grant is being provided to educational institutions under the UGC Act. The educational institution must have a good National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) score to receive this funding. Punjabi University received “A” plus certificate from NAAC in October 2024, due to which it has succeeded to get the grant.

Apart from assessing the “quality status” of education in colleges, universities or other recognised higher educational institutions, NAAC also assesses the outcomes of academic programmes that improve the overall development of students.

Under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University has got grade “A” of NAAC, due to this the university has also become eligible for lots of central funds and scholarship programmes.

Main purpose of this scheme is to improve the quality of higher education and increase the access to students across the country besides improving higher education curriculum, teacher training, infrastructure, accreditation and employability in states and union territories.

The coordinator of PM-USHA scheme, Dr Balwinder Singh Sooch, said under this scheme, the physical and digital infrastructure of the university would be improved. Accordingly, construction of classrooms for new courses, renovation, extension of buildings, sewerage plant, lifts for multi-storey buildings and other works will be done.