In a significant step towards fostering society-driven research and nurturing budding young entrepreneurs, the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), Bathinda, inaugurated the BIRAC-supported E-YUVA Centre and organized the Research Fest under the aegis of DST-PURSE on Wednesday. The E-YUVA Centre was inaugurated by Chief Guest Prof. Ratan Gupta, Executive Director, AIIMS Bathinda along with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari in the presence of university officials, senior faculty members, and E-YUVA Centre staff.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. Ramakrishna Wusirika, Dean In-charge Academics highlighted the role of the E-YUVA initiative in promoting innovation and research-based entrepreneurship among students. Prof. Monisha Dhiman, Director IQAC and Coordinator E-YUVA Centre, presented an overview of the centre, outlining its objectives, fellowship opportunities, and infrastructure developed under the DBT–BIRAC initiative.
The guests also visited the centre’s facilities, including the cell culture facility, biosafety cabinet, and molecular biology laboratories. The dignitaries later visited the Research Fest 2026, where more than 25 research groups involving over 100 researchers showcased their innovations and societal impact through posters and exhibits.
The research covered diverse domains including environmental science, agriculture, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, engineering, and social sciences, with key themes such as climate change, groundwater sustainability, algal biotechnology, cancer biology, antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy, DNA damage repair, and artificial intelligence.
Multiomics approaches and sustainable agricultural practices were also highlighted. Students from various higher education institutions, including BFGI, Guru Kashi University, and SSD Girls College, along with others from the Malwa region, visited the fest and gained inspiration to develop research-driven solutions to societal issues.
Chief Guest Prof. Ratan Gupta, Executive Director, AIIMS Bathinda, appreciated CU Punjab’s efforts in establishing the E-YUVA Centre and noted that such initiatives nurture innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among young researchers. He added that platforms like the Research Fest help nurture innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among young researchers while promoting research-driven societal transformation.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari stated that universities must nurture critical thinking and innovation to address contemporary societal challenges. He noted that CU Punjab has established the E-YUVA Centre, alongside the NIDHI i-TBI Incubation Centre (CUPRDF) and AICTE IDEA Lab, to support the transformation of innovative ideas into proof-of-concept solutions and strengthen the start-up ecosystem.
He added that the Research Fest serves as an important platform for showcasing interdisciplinary research and its potential societal impact. The valedictory session was addressed by invited speaker Shri Satyendra S. Choudhary, CEO, Technology Business Incubator (TBI), IISER Mohali, who encouraged students to actively contribute to the country’s start-up ecosystem and make effective use of the facilities available at CU Punjab’s E-YUVA Centre.
The programme started with the welcome address by and Prof. Anjana Munshi, Director R&D, who highlighted the objectives of DST-PURSE project and the activities conducted under this. The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Vinod Pathania and Prof. Raj Kumar, who expressed gratitude to the invited guests and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of faculty members, researchers, and students.