CU Punjab Faculty Express Gratitude to Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.P. Tiwari for Taking University to Newer Heights During His Five-Year Tenure

Vice-Chancellor exhorted the faculty members to work with dedication to ensure CU Punjab secures a place among the Top 50 Universities in the NIRF rankings in current year

5 Dariya News

Bathinda 22-Aug-2025

The Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab) celebrated the completion of the five-year tenure of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, acknowledging his transformative leadership in propelling the institution towards academic excellence and national prominence. On this occasion, university officials, led by Pro VC Prof. Kiran Hazarika, expressed deep gratitude for his dynamic vision and contributions.

Prof. Kiran Hazarika (Pro VC) complimented Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tiwari for guiding CU Punjab to newer heights, highlighting his focus on research, innovation, and value-based education, which strengthened the university’s national reputation and set the path for global recognition. He also highlighted Prof. Tiwari’s significant contributions to the Higher Education sector in India.

Prof. R.K. Wusurika (DIA) conveyed thankfulness that under VC Prof. Tiwari’s leadership, CU Punjab grew substantially, with academic programmes increasing from 69 to 100 and faculty strength from 128 to 201 between 2020 and 2025. Under his leadership, introduced integrated UG and joint diploma courses, and successfully implemented NEP 2020 reforms, enhancing academic flexibility and the overall student learning experience.

Prof. Anjana Munshi (Director R&D) stated that under VC Prof. Tiwari’s stewardship CU Punjab’s research output grew impressively between 2020 and 2025, with SCOPUS papers multiplying 4.18 times, citations 11.54 times, and h-index reaching 111, while research funding rose from ₹63.77 Cr to ₹104 Cr. She also credited him for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the i-TBI NIDHI Incubator named CUPRDF, DBT E-Yuva Centre, and AICTE Idea Lab.

Prof. Monisha Dhiman (Director IQAC) expressed gratitude to VC Prof. Tiwari for his leadership in guiding CU Punjab to NAAC ‘A+’ accreditation in 2023, sustaining its NIRF Top 100 position for six years, and securing strong standings in 2025 national rankings. She also highlighted his role in fostering academic collaboration through the Consortium of HEIs of Bathinda & North India.

Dr. Vijay Sharma (Registrar) conveyed gratitude to VC Prof. Tiwari for establishing a transparent administration and transforming CU Punjab’s 500-acre campus into a green, modern space, highlighting new facilities such as the Kendriya Vidyalaya, upcoming Library & Administrative Block, Community Radio Station (under testing), and five other buildings (foundation stones recently laid).

Dr. Rajkumar Sharma (Finance Officer) commended the key initiatives taken under VC Prof. Tiwari’s leadership, including self-financing integrated UG and joint diploma programmes, a 70:30 faculty consultancy scheme, and a 100-acre Kinnow Garden as a revenue-generating model, promoting self-reliance. Expressing gratitude, Prof. Sanjeev Thakur (DSW), Prof. Vinod K. Garg (Dept. of EVST), Prof. Bawa Singh (Dept. of SCAS) and Dr. Rubal Kanozia (HoD, MCMS), thanked the Vice-Chancellor for fostering holistic growth, student welfare, and the university’s national reputation.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, thanked the university community for giving their best in the five years and shared his vision to place CU Punjab among the top 50 institutions in NIRF in his sixth year. Outlining a roadmap to achieve this, he emphasized that alongside quality education and research, faculty should focus on OBE-based curriculum, learner-centric pedagogy, formative assessment, and impactful outreach. 

Prof. Tiwari called for renewed dedication and stressed on the importance of introducing future-ready programmes to equip students with new-age skills, while providing holistic, value-based education to empower youth in building Viksit Bharat @2047.

Major Accomplishments of CU Punjab in 5 Years under leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tiwari

•    Consistent National Rankings: Featured in NIRF Top 100 Universities for six consecutive years; secured 83rd rank in University category and 23rd in Pharmacy (2024).

•    NAAC Accreditation: Upgraded from ‘A’ Grade (2016) to ‘A+’ Grade (2023).

•    Impressive performance in 2025 National Rankings: 7th (IIRF – Central Universities), 9th (Outlook India I-CARE – Central Universities), 26th (India Today – Government              Universities), and 67th (Nature Index Institutions Tables).

•     Research Growth: SCOPUS papers rose 4.18x, citations 11.54x, and h-index 2.64x — reaching 3,978 papers, 98,307 citations, and h-Index 111 (as on 20.08.2025).

•     Enhanced Research Grants: Increased from ₹63.77 Cr. (2020–21) to ₹104 Cr. (2024–25).

•     Promoting a culture of Innovation & Entrepreneurship with establishment of i-TBI NIDHI Incubator, CUPRDF, E-Yuva Centre, and AICTE Idea Lab.

•     Fostering Academic Collaboration b/w HEIs with establishment of Consortium of HEIs for Bathinda region and North India.

•      Successful Implementation of NEP-2020 transformative reforms viz., Academic Bank of Credits, multiple entry/exit, etc. to provide learner centric education.

•      Infrastructure Development: Inaugurated ultramodern Ghudda campus (2020); launched Kendriya Vidyalaya (2023); foundation laid for New Administrative Block &         Central Library (2024) and new projects worth ₹201 Cr (2025).

•      Self-Sustainability & Green Initiatives: Developed 100-acre Kinnow Garden and commercial plantations for revenue generation.

•      Visit of Eminent Personalities: President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu (10th Convocation, 2025); Former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind & NSA Shri Ajit Doval (9th                    Convocation, 2024).

•       Global Recognition: 17 faculty members and 1 research scholar listed in Stanford’s Top Scientists (2024).

•       Youth Achievements: Champions of 16th National Youth Parliament; students represented CU Punjab at National Republic Day Parade Camps (2024 & 2025).

•       Quality Certifications: Achieved ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems.

•       Awards: Secured 3rd place in National Water Awards 2022 (Best Campus Usage).

•       International Invitation: VC Prof. R.P. Tiwari was Chief Guest at Tribhuvan University Convocation, Nepal (2022).