In recognition of his remarkable contributions to skill development, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and guiding higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Malwa region for the effective implementation of NEP-2020, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab and Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, was honoured by the Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal (Zee PHH) Media Team during the Pride of Malwa event.
As an eminent academician with over 40 years of teaching and research experience, Prof. Tiwari was invited as a special guest at the event, where Shri Deepak Dhawan (Editor, Zee PHH) and Shri Lakhwinder Singh (Senior Territory Head, Zee PHH) conferred upon him a prestigious accolade. The honour was presented in the distinguished presence of Shri Gurmeet S. Khuddian (Punjab Cabinet Minister) and Shri Amarjit Singh Mehta (President, Punjab Cricket Association).
The event also featured a panel discussion, during which Prof. Tiwari emphasized the need for HEIs to focus on imparting holistic and value-based education, skill development, interdisciplinary research, and experiential learning opportunities. He highlighted that CU Punjab has established key innovation hubs such as CUPRDF NIDHI i-TBI Incubator, E-Yuva Centre, and Idea Lab, which are providing a platform for Punjab's youth to transform their innovative ideas into viable concepts, thereby contributing to India’s growing start-up ecosystem.
Prof. Tiwari further underscored CU Punjab’s commitment to addressing regional challenges in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. He noted that the university's research teams are actively working on critical issues in the Malwa region related to environment, agriculture, and healthcare.
In pursuit of innovative solutions, CU Punjab has initiated collaborations with top academic and research institutions, playing a crucial role in establishing the Consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of North India and Consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of Bathinda region.
These consortiums aim to enhance educational and research excellence through joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, shared resources, and industry-linked Dual Degree/Joint Degree programs. The panellists and participants highly appreciated Prof. Tiwari’s vision of building a healthy and prosperous Punjab by empowering youth of Punjab through skill-based, quality higher education.
They also lauded Prof. Tiwari's call on higher education institutions in the region to play a leading role in social transformation and academic excellence.