Guru Nanak Dev University

About Guru Nanak Dev University

Guru Nanak Dev University was established at Amritsar on November 24,1969 to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is both a residential and an affiliating university. In conceiving the future course of the University, the objectives enshrined in the Guru Nanak Dev University Act 1969, emphasised that the new University would make provision for imparting education and promoting research in the humanities, learned professions, sciences, especially of applied nature and technology.

Studies and research on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, in addition to working towards the promotion of Punjabi language and spreading education among educationally backward classes and communities were the other commitments. In consonance with these expectations, the University in its eventful history of 35 years has taken long strides in spreading the message of the Guru and promoting education in such fields as science, arts, management, information technology, industrial technology, environment, planning and architecture. Carefully nurtured by committed academia, the University has carved a niche for itself in the academic world.

Infrastructure

The motto of the University as engraved on its emblem Guru’s wisdom illumines all speaks of the vision and idealism for which the University stands. Spread over a stretch of 500 acres towards the west of the City, Guru Nanak Dev University presents a picture of modern architecture. Traditional red brick geometrical blocks represent its regard for time-honoured values and commitment to scientific advancement. Making its humble beginning in an annexe of the adjoining Khalsa College, the University today boasts of 37 academic departments, two regional centres, two colleges and a score of support service departments besides several administrative offices. In recent years, the University has diversified in a big way its programmes into applied sciences making it one of the distinguished centres of industry related job-oriented courses.

It is highly innovative in designing its teaching and research programmes and offers a comprehensive range of general and applied courses. Very early on, it decided to restructure its syllabi on the basis of recommendations made in the reports of the Curriculum Development Centres (1988). Admission to courses at all levels is made strictly on the basis of National, state and University level entrance tests. At present, nearly 5000 students are studying on the Campus, 4 College, All India Services Training Centre, Instrumentation Centre, Computer Centre, 24 hour internet facility, Placement Unit etc.

Departments

1. Applied Sciences
   
2. Arts & Social Sciences
   
3. Economics & Business
   
4. Engineering & Technology
   
5. Humanities & Religious Studies
   
6. Languages
   
7. Laws
   
8. Life Sciences
   
9. Physical Education
   
10. Physical Planning & Architecture
    
11. Sciences
    
12. Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy
    
13. Visual Art & Performing Arts

Facilities and Campus

To promote research among its faculty, almost all the Departments have been provided with independent computer facilities, internet connectivity and departmental libraries. In addition to the academics, the University has also created necessary facilities for recreation and all round development of students and faculty in the form of Department of Youth Services, National Service Scheme, a 900 seat all purpose auditorium, half a dozen seminar and conference halls, a modern hi-tech sports complex, sports hostel, faculty club, students’ centre, health centre, day care centre, two separate holiday homes at Dalhousie for teachers and students, working women hostel, Baba Buddha College Bhawan along with oncampus residential facilities for a large number of students, teachers and administrative staff. The Campus with its lush green grounds, swaying fields, blossom laden tree lined lanes provides a most conducive physical environment for work and progress.

Regional Campuses and Colleges

1. Regional Campus, Jalandhar
2. Regional Campus, Gurdaspur
3. University College, Jalandhar
4. ASSM College, Mukandpur
5. SRSPM University College, Niari

Other Facilities

Computer Centre

The Centre was set up in 1985 with an initial grant from the UGC. Since then, it has been substantially upgraded. At present there are 3 labs out of which 1 lab is for research purposes. Each lab is equipped with 25 computers with latest softwares. Apart from its training programmes, the Centre is providing computing facilities to student-teacher community for work involving statistical analysis and scientific calculations. Students from 10 departments are coming from the practical examinations. The Centre has specialized in preparing results of the state and University level Entrance Tests such as B.Ed., CET and PMT etc. Software has been developed in the center for evaluation of the scanned sheets. Is has also developed software for the compilation of University results at the graduate level with special provision for preparing bilingual reports.

Health Services

The University set up its own Health Centre in 1973. It provides free medical help to all students, teachers, staff and their dependents & retired persons. It is equipped with modern facilities and equipments. It has two senior Medical Officers, one lady Medical Officer and one Dental Surgeon. The Centre also provides alternative medical system in its ayurvedic Dispensary, which has been set up by the state government under the charge of an Ayurvedic Medical Officer. In addition, there are six pharmacists-assistants, two staff nurses and three laboratory technicians with sophisticated instruments for all basis clinical tests. The Centre has three ECG Machines (one computerized) and an ultra sound system. Centre is having an Operation Theater specially designed with all kinds of most modern equipments like Digitally Controlled Hot air ovens, autoclaves glass bead sterilizer and complete resuscitation kit, electric suction machine for the management of emergency patients; and separate male and female wards for admitting patients. The Centre also provides immunization facilities for neonates. It also has an Ambulance van and is geared for emergency services for 24 hours. The department has also set up computer system, one Pentium node and one server for computerizing the stock of medicines, office record and lab & ultrasound reports. It has also been updated with latest medical softwares, e-mail and Internet facility. Health Centre is having active interaction with various teaching departments like Department of Sports Medicine & Physiotherapy, Physical Education, Microbiology & Pharmaceutical Sciences. Health Centre has audiovisual aids (like OHP, side projector, projection screen, side viewers) to impart the class room/laboratory instructions to students in more effective manner. Also attached to it is a full fledged Physiotherapy Centre, which is equipped with a Body Composition Analyser, Ultrasonic machines, motorized Tread Mill and Body Massager and other necessary equipment for Microwave diathermy and Infra-Red Rays therapy besides all kinds of baths (Sauna, Turkish etc.) facilities and exercise equipments. The Centre opens six days a week and has 4 trained attendants working under a well qualified Orthopaedic Surgeon (Head of the Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy) who is available on 2 days a week for consultation. The Centre is providing special physiotherapy services to the sportsmen.

USIC

The University Science Instrumentation Centre provides hand-on experience in different shops useful in instrumentation and develops certain skills in academic and technical personnel. It undertakes maintenance/service of scientific equipments in various departments of the University. The central workshop has facilities for electronic, mechanical, optical repairs and glass blowing, refrigeration and air conditioning jobs. It is also running a liquid nitrogen plant which supplies liquid nitrogen to different departments in the University, some private nursing homes and veterinary hospitals in the city. Every year the Centre attends to more than 300 individual jobs pertaining to repair and fabrication in its different workshops. It is also providing service facilities to affiliated colleges.

Press And Publications

The Department was set up in 1972 to cater to the publication needs of the University in terms of highlighting its academic achievements and providing quality textbooks to its students. The first printing press was installed in 1979. As the workload and publication demands of the University increased to completely switched over from letter press to computerized offset printing. As of now, the Department has three offset machines, thirteen computers, three laser printers, one camera and photo typesetting unit in addition to other press equipments. It is fully capable to undertaking any printing jobs and has offered its services to the affiliated colleges and government, other institutions and universities in the state. Till date the Department has published 120 books in Punjabi, 110 in English and 14 in Hindi. Some of these books have also run into subsequent editions. The department started with the publication of 2 journals, but over the years, the number of journals has increased to 14. Some of these journals have achieved international recognition. The Department has also set up a retail outlet for the sale of its publications. To promote sales, it takes part in book Exhibition and runs a Book Club. The members can purchase University publications at 50% discount plus 10% bonus in the form for books. The Department has also been running a two year postgraduate Diploma in Printing Technology and Management.

Centre for Immigrant Studies

University is going to establish a Centre for Immigration studies which will primarily be research-oriented. Study of Literature and Social Sciences would be main areas of concern at the Centre. The Centre will promote interaction among the immigrant literati and the indigenous ones.

Media Centre

Guru Nanak Dev University would have the distinction in Northern region for establishing a media center on its campus under the supervision of the Public Relation Department of the University. Keeping in view the fact that world has become a global village because of the meteoric pace of information technology, well equippedMedia Centre would go a long way in accessing useful information about the developments occurring in any part of the world. The faculty and the students alike would be greatly benefited by this enterprise.

National Service Scheme (NSS)

NSS has been active in the University and its colleges right from the inception of this scheme. NSS volunteers are regularly organizing camps for Blood Donation, Blood Group Testing, Eye Checkup, General Physical Checkup and Preventive Medicare and Immunisations. They are also actively participating in fight against polio and AIDS. During special camps the volunteers engage themselves in physical labour also and help in such activities as road repairs, earth work for roads, whitewashing of school buildings, taking care of cremation grounds, eradicating congress and tree plantation. The NSS colunteers create awareness about social problems like population explosion, pollution, importance of girls child, evils of dowry system and harmful effects of drinking, drugs and other intoxicants. As the theme of NSS for this year is “Youth for Haryali” special care is being taken for the plantation and protection of planted trees. The University has 20392 NESS Volunteers enrolled for the year 2001-2002 as against the sanctioned strength of 19500 which is again largest in Punjab for a University.

Punjabi Folklore Museum

To popularize Punjabi folklore and to ward it off against the lecherous distortions, the university has started building up Punjab Folklore Museum. The Museum will provide a fairly desirable knowledge of the rich diversity of the Punjabi folklore which forms the true spirit of the rural Punjab, but which is at discount in the face of materialistic onslaughts.

Preet Nagar As Model Bio-Village

Guru Nanak Dev University has decided to preserve the rich literary heritage of Preet Nagar, Amritsar. In pursuance to this resolve, the Vice Chancellor approached Housing Urban Development corporation (HUDCO) to adopt Preet Nagar and develop it as a model village. HUDCO has accepted the proposal and funds are being provided to renovate old buildings like Heritage Club, residences of Navtej Singh and Nanak Singh. Adult Education Department of the University would impart training to the girls of this village in sewing, stitching, networking embroidery, T.V. and electronics. University will meet the expenses for maintenance of the guest house constructed by Nanak Singh Trust. Department of Human Genetics and Disorder will conduct tests free of cost when approached by the residents of this village. Department of Biotechnology has been assigned the task of developing Preet Nagar as a bio- village.

Heritage Village

To preserve the rich heritage of Punjabi culture, the university has decided to setup a heritage village on it campus so as to resurrect consciousness among the younger generations of Punjab which are gradually becoming oblivious of the richness of Punjabi culture. The heritage village will attract the future generations as well towards the catholic culture of Punjab. S. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, the Revenue Minister of Punjab donated Rs. 20 lac out of his discretionary fund for the initiation of this well-meaning gigantic project. Domestic appliances and the ones used for agriculture purposes like Hult, Khras, Gadda, Khuhi, Velna, Sath etc. would be procured from different sources, and if need be, will be purchased.

Sports

Department of Physical Education (Allied Teaching) organizes games and sports in the affiliated colleges to raise the University teams in various disciplines. The department has gained national recognition because of its hi-tech sports facilities and excellent achievements at the inter-versity, national and international level. It organizes special training camps and inter-college tournaments in about 60 to 65 men and women events and participates in inter-university tournaments in 40 to 45 games involving more than 6000 students. Spread over a sprawling vast expanse, its sports complex houses an international quality Astro-turf Hockey stadium, an Olympic standard swimming pool stadium, with separate facilities for training, diving and competition, and exclusive playgrounds for all sports like football, cricket, lawn tennis, basket ball, volleyball, handball, softball, kho-kho and kabaddi etc. It also has an open air gymnasium for providing physical fitness training. Indoor gymnasium is likely to come up in a very short while. The department has one Deputy Director, two Assistant Directors and 12 full time coaches in different games to coordinate coaching and training activities. It offers nearly 50-55 NSO scholarship each year to promising players and maintains separate sports hostel to lodge nearly 200 players at a time. The sports achievements of his University are unparalleled in the history of University games in India. It has won India’s prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for being overall best University for a record period of 16 times. Remained runner-up for 8 times and third for 2 times. It has also won Dr. B.L.Gupta Overall General Championship Trophy which is awarded on the basis of Inter-University (men and women) tournaments for 10 times, got runner-up position for 5 times and remained third 5 times. Besides these national trophies, it has also won prestigious Osmania University Platinum Jubilee Trophy four times and remained third once for securing highest points in women sports and KRIDAMAHARISHI Trophy for best performance in men’s events. Every year about 10 to 15 outstanding University players participate in the International competitions and about 60-70 players represent in the National competitions. Over the years, 24 of its players have been honoured with ARJUNA AWARD. For year 2000-01, the University has already won 6 All India Inter-University Championships in Football (Women), Cricket(women), Yoga (Women), Softball (men), Softball (Women), Hockey (women) ; attained Runner-up positions in 3 events in Cross-Country (men), Cross Country ( women), Handball (women); Third in 4 events in Tennis (women), volleyball (men), Gymnasium (men), Basketball (men) was fourth in Tennis(men), to make sure that it wins the MAKA Trophy once again.

Achievements

The University takes pride in the fact that its community over the years has developed a great participative work culture. The University has won Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy 17 times and inter-versity youth festival championship four times consecutively. UGC has granted the University Centre for Excellence in Sports Sciences. National Assessment and Accreditation Council accredited the University at the "Five Star Level". Being rated at such a high level will inspire its community to make strides ahead still faster and stronger with academic excellence and commitment to social upliftment as the core ideals. a very large number of them being girl students drawn from the neighbouring countryside.

The University has contributed tremendously in accessing higher education to women in this otherwise educationally backward area. Being an affiliating University, it also performs the parenting role of directing and monitoring the academic programmes of more than 100 colleges located in the five districts of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshehar and Gurdaspur, some of which have a long and creditable history of imparting higher education since late nineteenth century. Over the years, the University has built up an excellent academic infrastructure in the form of a well stocked computerised library, state-of-the-art laboratories, Academic Staff.

Extra Curricular Activities

Department of Youth Welfare was established in 1971, with the objective of promoting cultural activities among the students and tapping their hidden talent for extra-curricular participation. It channelises the energy of the youth into creative directions and provides opportunities for harmonious and balanced development of their personality. The department organizes University Zonal, Inter-zonal Youth Festivals, Youth Leadership Training & Hiking, Trekking Camps, Inter-State Tours, coaching camps and prepares teams for participation in North Zone Inter-University & All Indian National Inter-University Youth Festivals and other Inter-University competitions organized by Punjab Government/D.P.I.(Colleges) Punjab and different states Universities. The department also holds Seminars, Workshops for students for the promotion of Art & Culture. The department also arranges the Cultural Programmes for different Functions of the University and Seminars, Workshops organized by the different departments of the University. The University maintained its supremacy in the Cultural Field by retaining OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP in the All India Inter-University National Youth Festival, 2007 held at University of Chennai, Madras as well as in North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival for the seventh time in succession. The mega event was organized by association of Indian Universities, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. The University also won Music, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Trophies in the Festival.

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Information compiled from: Guru Nanak Dev University Website