Chandigarh, 12 March 2025-The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the convocation ceremony of Panjab University in Chandigarh today.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in the last 140 years, Panjab University has developed as a major centre of higher education. This university has made its own identity in academic, sports, research, and cultural fields. She was happy to note that this university has won the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy 17 times. She said that it is a testimony to the dedication and determination of the athletes of this university. Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, students of this university, have made the country extremely proud by winning medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The President appreciated Panjab University for promoting academia-industry linkage. She urged the university's policymakers to work more on university-industry linkage and future-readiness. She said that the university’s subjects should be application-based education. Education should support students in their life journey. Coming times will be challenging, and the competitive spirit will keep increasing. Therefore, it is important that every student has a positive mindset and an advanced skill set to face the challenges. Acquiring and continuously developing knowledge of emerging technologies and the ability to use them properly will be essential for success.

The President told students that it is a matter of pride for them that they got the opportunity to study in this prestigious university. This university has given society many great personalities, ranging from the President, Prime Minister, and Nobel laureates to leaders and outstanding contributors in various fields. She urged students to carry forward this legacy. She told them that through their efforts and visionary thinking, they could make effective contributions to society, the nation, and the world while realising their dreams.

Smt Droupadi Murmu is the sixth President of India to have addressed the Panjab University convocation. Shri Pranab Mukherjee (2015), Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (2007), Giani Zail Singh (1985), Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1981), and Dr Rajendra Prasad (1951) had earlier addressed the PU convocation.

Listing various achievements of the university, Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig mentioned the university’s impressive global rankings, with the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2024 placing it among the top 4% of higher education institutions worldwide, ranking 10th in India and 823rd globally. She also referred to prestigious rankings, including U.S. News Best Global Universities (737th globally), QS World University Rankings (1001–1200), and Times Higher Education World Rankings (601–800), to highlight Panjab University’s strong academic standing. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted Panjab University the prestigious Category I status, recognising its academic distinction with a remarkable NAAC score of A++ (3.68/4), she added.

Prof. Vig informed that 46 faculty members of the University were declared among the top 2% of scientists in the world, as reported by Stanford University. She stated that 224 research projects are currently being undertaken at Panjab University, with a total funding of Rs.104 crore from different agencies. She highlighted initiatives such as EYUVA for translational research, BioNEST for entrepreneurship incubation, and the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme for post-incubation support.

Smt Murmu also took time for a photograph with the medal-winning students, who were delighted by the presence of the President of India. The students receiving degrees and medals participated with great enthusiasm.

Renowned mathematician Dr R.J. Hans-Gill and social worker Sushri Nivedita Raghunath Bhide were conferred honorary degrees by the President of India. Dr R.J. Hans-Gill received the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), while Sushri Nivedita Raghunath Bhide was awarded the Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa).

Panjab University also honoured distinguished personalities in the fields of science, literature, industry, sports, and the arts. Dr Gurtej Singh Sandhu received the Vigyan Ratna, Dr Harmohinder Singh Bedi was awarded the Sahitya Ratna, Dr Pushvinder Jit Singh was conferred the Udyog Ratna, Ms Manu Bhaker was honoured with the Khel Ratna, and Dr Jaspinder Narula received the Kala Ratna. Manu Bhaker also received a special mention from Ms Murmu in her convocation address.

Several distinguished personalities, including the Governor of Punjab, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria; the Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya; the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann; the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini; Rajya Sabha MP Shri Vikramjit Singh Sahney; principals of affiliated colleges, faculty members, staff, alumni, and a large number of family members of students were also present in the Convocation.