Panjab University Gets Advanced Research Facility, Tech Innovation Forum Inaugurated by Vice President

Chandigarh- Vice-President of India and Ex-officio Chancellor of Panjab University, C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated two major research and innovation initiatives at Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Friday, underlining the need to strengthen the institution’s global academic standing.

The Vice-President opened the Advanced Instrumentation Facility at the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility/Central Instrumentation Laboratories (SAIF/CIL) and also launched the Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum (PU-TIF).

The two initiatives are aimed at expanding the university’s capabilities in advanced research, technology development, incubation and entrepreneurship while creating greater opportunities for collaboration between researchers, industry and innovators.

Speaking at the event, Radhakrishnan highlighted Panjab University’s long-standing contribution to education and nation-building. He noted that the institution, established in 1882, has played an important role in producing leaders and professionals across several fields.

The Vice-President said India’s higher education and research ecosystem has witnessed significant transformation and is increasingly attracting global attention as a destination for education, scientific research and innovation.

The newly established facility includes five advanced instruments—an Atomic Force Microscope, Raman Spectrometer, DNA Sequencer, Flow Cytometer and FTIR Spectrometer. These technologies are expected to support research in areas such as nanotechnology, materials science, environmental studies and genomics.

Radhakrishnan described the transformation of Bio-NEST into the Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum, established as a Section 8 not-for-profit company, as an important step towards creating a stronger innovation ecosystem.

He stressed that successful innovation requires close cooperation among universities, industries, incubators and investors. Researchers, he said, should focus on developing solutions that are practical, scalable and capable of addressing real-world challenges.

Encouraging young researchers to remain persistent despite setbacks, the Vice-President said scientific work should ultimately create meaningful benefits for society.

Campus security also featured prominently in his address. Referring to the death of a Ph.D. student, Radhakrishnan said he had directed the university authorities to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of the campus.

An internal committee has been formed to examine existing safety infrastructure and submit a detailed report. The Vice-President emphasised that protecting students and staff must remain the university’s foremost responsibility.

Radhakrishnan also urged students to actively support the vision of a “Nasha Mukt Bharat.” He called upon young people to remain away from substance abuse and encourage their friends and family members to adopt a drug-free lifestyle.

Concluding his visit, the Vice-President expressed confidence that the new research infrastructure and PU-TIF would expand Panjab University’s contribution to scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

He encouraged faculty members and students to convert ideas developed in classrooms and laboratories into opportunities for young people and solutions benefiting society. He also sought suggestions from the university community on steps that could help transform Panjab University into a world-class institution for higher education and research, contributing to the objectives of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Lok Sabha MP Manish Tiwari, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Professor Meenakshi Goyal and other dignitaries attended the programme.