A high-level panel discussion on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was organised at Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, bringing together Vice-Chancellors, Directors, Principals, senior faculty members, and education policymakers from across the country to deliberate on key reforms proposed in higher education governance.
The programme was jointly organised by Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, Punjab, in collaboration with PEC Chandigarh, with the objective of generating informed dialogue on the future of India’s higher education system.
The inaugural session began with welcome remarks by Prof. Rajesh K. Bhatia, Director, PEC, who emphasised the need for progressive reforms to make Indian higher education globally competitive.
Dr. Ami U. Upadhyay, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Open University, in his keynote address, highlighted the importance of trust-based governance, institutional autonomy, accountability, and quality assurance as pillars for strengthening India’s education ecosystem.
The deliberations were conducted across three technical sessions focusing on:
- Governance reforms and trust-based regulation
- Autonomy, accountability, and quality assurance
- Multidisciplinary education and global competitiveness
The sessions were chaired by eminent academicians including Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, and Prof. Ajay Rawal, IIT Ropar.
Participants actively shared insights on graded autonomy, outcome-based accreditation, digital learning frameworks, and strategies to enhance the global standing of Indian higher education institutions. An open house discussion allowed stakeholders to present constructive suggestions for the effective implementation of the proposed reforms.
The programme concluded with a valedictory address by Shri Narender Ji, Prant Pracharak, Punjab, followed by a vote of thanks by Shri Ashok Thakur Ji, Prant Sah-Mantri, Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, Punjab.
