Punjabi University’s yesterday, today and tomorrow
Punjabi University, Patiala, which is celebrating its 63rd foundation day, has special significance in the multifaceted development of Punjabi language and educational field. After Hebrew (the language of the Jews) University, this second institution in the world established in the name of mother tongue has spread the fragrance of its high-academicism in the country and abroad. Around 1960, a commission was regularly constituted for the establishment of the first such university in the Malwai region of Punjab under which a newly appointed twenty member committee based on its strong arguments and recommendations the Punjab Act of 1961 decision made. The foundation stone of Act No. 35 was laid on April 30, 1962 at ‘Rajindra Kothi’ (now known as Heritage Hotel) at Barandari, Patiala city, which was inaugurated by the then President Dr. Radhakrishnan did it. Later the planned renovation of its building was carried out in a beautiful area of 316 acres of lush green trees, 7 kilometers from Patiala on the Patiala-Rajpura Road.
Its founding Vice-Chancellor, renowned scholar and educationist Bhai Jodh Singh, started illuminating the quality of this institution with his foresight. In the initial phase Punjabi University Patiala provided affiliation to 9 government and non-government colleges like Government Mahindra College within a radius of 16 kilometers but today the number of colleges affiliated to the university has increased to more than 275. Prior to this, the Vice-Chancellors included Dr. Bhagat Singh, Dr. S.S. Johal, Swarn Singh Boparai and Dr. Jaspal Singh etc. added more golden pages to the glorious history of Punjabi University by establishing regional centres, neighborhood campuses and constituent colleges in backward areas of higher education especially in Malwa region.
Thousands of rural and economically backward students benefited from the establishment of these institutions and their dreams came true. A total of 11 faculties related to other fields and subjects in the field of higher education were established by this university for the welfare of humanity. Of these, 14 under the Faculty of Sociology, 4 under Art and Culture, 4 under Life Sciences, 9 under Physics, 9 under Language, 5 under Education and Information, 8 under Engineering and Technology, 3 under Medicine. , 3 under Commerce Studies and 7 under Law Faculty and 4 departments are touching new horizons of study, teaching and research.
Furthermore, the Department of Physics, Department of Botany, Department of Chemistry and Department of Forensic Science etc. have received international and national recognition for their research achievements. Parallel to this, consecutively winning the MAKA Trophy in the field of sports and international achievements in the artistic, cultural and creative fields among the youth are the achievements of Punjabi University.
Its Distance and Online Education Center conducts latest programs for distance students, making education and research at par with modern times, the University has the apex center for technological development of Punjabi language, literature and culture, Punjabi Pedia Center and Punjabi . Other tasks like setting up computer support centers etc. are important. Its recent achievements include initiatives such as integration of the examination branch with networking operating systems, a Punjabi spell checker for the free and open source platform Libre Office and the initiative of the Computer Science department to develop a dictionary. To impart knowledge and conduct research in Punjabi mother tongue about science related subjects, the University is not only making Punjabi language aware of the challenges faced in the technological age but also facilitating scientific courses in subjects like Computer Science and Engineering etc. sending out. Various types of competitions are also organized to understand the mother tongue through Punjabi language.
In the field of science, various departments of Punjabi University have signed MoUs with government and non-government institutions in the country and abroad, which will benefit both the institutions in a big way. The NAAC team, after conducting a comprehensive survey, awarded ‘A+ Grade’ to Punjabi University, Patiala and remarked that the purpose for which this institution was established is still proudly defended by it. Yes, it is a great honour.
In the previous period, the University was facing financial crisis but in the present period, pleasant progress has been made in this regard and projects have also received financial assistance from the agencies of Government of India and Government of Punjab. There have also been MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with leading domestic and foreign institutions which have benefited the students of Punjabi University as well as other institutions.
It is also a matter of satisfaction that the grant received by the university from the government has also increased from Rs 9.5 crore per month to Rs 30 crore per month, but still it has had to make some cuts in the budget items of many of its departments.
This higher education of leading government and non government organizations and NRI individuals is committed to the welfare of the students in the interest of strengthening this backbone and freeing the employees from the worry of salary as the higher education in Malwa is very effective with the provider organization Can be proved. If the economic situation improves then the quality of teaching and research work will definitely increase.
