GNDU gets Sant Prem Singh Murale Wale Chair
Strap: Previous projects allocated to varsity run behind schedule
Blurb: CM to lead I-Day celebrations in Asr today
Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 14
Even as Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today inaugurated the Sant Prem Singh Murale Wale Chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), there are many projects allocated to the university in the past that are running behind schedule.
Educationists said even two years after the Union Government allocated the Centre of Interfaith Study to the university, work on it was yet to begin. The Centre had earmarked Rs 493 crore for the facility to commemorate the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev.
On May 3, the CM had constituted a committee of vice-chancellors, headed by GNDU VC Dr Jaspal Singh, to work out examination reforms and review curriculum, besides scaling up the quality of higher education in the state in sync with the advancements across the world. The committee was asked to submit its report within 60 days, but it is yet to do so.
In response to the concerns expressed by minister Tript Bajwa about paucity of funds, the CM said grants would be increased for research. Bajwa, in his introductory remarks, had lamented the Chairs established in universities died their own death due to paucity of funds.
The Chair, set up in the memory of the eminent educationist of his time, will be headed by a professor along with three research assistants.
During his stay in the university, the CM also inaugurated School of Education (built at a cost of Rs 6.10 crore), Department of Mass Communication (Rs 2.45 crore), Department of Hotel Management and Tourism (Rs 3.30 crore), and laid the foundation stone of Golden Jubilee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Rs 3.50 crore), besides a shooting range (Rs 1.60 crore).
The CM later visited Government Medical College and Hospital, where he laid the inaugural stone of Basic Science Block and Foundation Stone of New Hostel for Boys, and interacted informally with Covid warriors.
