In a major step towards strengthening India’s higher education ecosystem, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan virtually laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth ₹200.99 crore at the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), Bathinda. The announcement came during the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 (ABSS-2025), celebrating five years of the transformative National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The projects, funded by the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), include the construction of a new Academic Block, hostels for boys, girls, and international students, as well as a Vice-Chancellor’s residence. Many of these buildings are designed to meet GRIHA-IV sustainability standards, incorporating solar energy, zero-waste water systems, sensor-based lighting, and full accessibility features.
Speaking at the virtual event, Pradhan commended CU Punjab and other central universities for their proactive role in realizing the goals of NEP 2020. He emphasized the government’s commitment to education-led development, stating, “Education under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi is driving India’s growth story forward.”
The ceremony was also attended by Jayant Chaudhary (MoS for Education), Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (MoS for Education & North East Development), and Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. CU Punjab’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari joined the celebrations in Delhi, while a simultaneous event took place at the university’s Bathinda campus led by Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kiran Hazarika.
Prof. Tiwari expressed gratitude to the central government for its continued support, noting that the new facilities will enhance the university’s ability to deliver world-class education and research, aligned with India’s vision for a globally competitive, inclusive, and sustainable academic environment.
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