Amritsar, June 27, 2025: Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has announced a landmark move to globalize Indian higher education with the approval of its first offshore campus in California, USA. The decision was made during a syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh, marking a major step in aligning with India’s National Education Policy 2020.
The meeting, held in the Syndicate Room of the University and attended by members both online and offline, saw Registrar Prof. K.S. Chahal presenting the agenda, with key participation from Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Palwinder Singh and other university officials.
The California campus, envisioned as a hub of learning rooted in the values of Guru Nanak Dev Ji—humility, service, equality, and enlightenment—will cater to the academic and cultural aspirations of the Punjabi diaspora and foster international academic collaboration. Prof. Karamjeet Singh emphasized that the campus would offer world-class education while enhancing India’s educational, economic, and cultural footprint abroad.
Regulatory procedures for the campus are currently in progress, and the Vice-Chancellor urged the global Punjabi community to support this visionary initiative. If successful, the California campus is expected to become a benchmark for global academic excellence.
In another major development, the University syndicate approved the introduction of PhD programs and research centers in affiliated colleges, addressing a long-pending demand of college faculty. This move is set to expand research opportunities and elevate the academic ecosystem across the region.
For the academic session 2025–26, GNDU will launch several new multidisciplinary courses including “Basic First Aid and Emergency Care,” along with revisions in the eligibility criteria for the Master of Vocational and Mental Health Counseling programs. Additionally, two distinct MA programs in Hindustani Music (Vocal and Instrumental) will replace the previous integrated course, ensuring more specialized instruction.
The Syndicate also approved awarding an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Engineering to S. Jasvir Gill, CEO of California-based Alert Enterprise Inc., during GNDU’s 50th Annual Convocation. At this ceremony, 54 University scholars will also be conferred with Ph.D. degrees.
These decisions, taken collectively, reflect GNDU’s commitment to educational innovation and its growing status as a globally relevant institution. Members of the Syndicate expressed appreciation for the University’s recent achievements and unanimously congratulated Vice-Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh for his leadership.
