Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

Chandigarh University organizes 9th International Faculty Development Programme 2025 at Gharuan Campus

Over 140 Leading Academicians from 26 Disciplines Join Chandigarh University's 10-Day International Faculty Development Program

Babushahi Bureau

Chandigarh, July 1, 2025: The ninth edition of Chandigarh University's 10-day International Faculty Development Program (IFDP) commenced with impressive participation of over 140 academic leaders and faculty members from over 100 top ranked Universities in over 40 countries.

While the inaugural ceremony of the IFDP 2025 was attended by Prof T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as Chief Guests, the other dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony included Chandigarh University Managing Director Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Prof (Dr) Matilde María Olarte Martínez , Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Heritage, Sustainability and Campus Development University of Salamanca, Spain, Dr Montukumar M Patel, President, Pharmacy Council of India and  Prof (Dr) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director, NITTR, Chandigarh. 

The 9th International Faculty Development Programme, which is being held from 1 July to 10 July, is being attended by senior and eminent academicians including Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors, Professors and Researchers  from 40 countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, UAE, Oman, Russia, Malaysia, Romania, Mexico, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Iran, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, Maldives, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan and Tanzania. 

The participating academicians represent 26 streams including Business Management, Computer Science Engineering, Engineering, Allied Health Sciences, Architecture, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts & Humanities, Teacher Training and Research, Science, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Computing, Pharma Sciences and Electrical and Communication Engineering. 

In his address, the Chief Guest Prof TG Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) said the IFDPs would act as catalytic force in realizing Viksit Bharat vision by 2047 as focus is now required on hands-on learning, self-learning, collaborative learning, technology-assisted learning and peer learning in the new classrooms of universities due to emerging technologies like AI. 

"Learning will also happen beyond the classrooms and where innovation and startups will take the lead. From Fintech to Agritech to health to deep tech, Indian startups are creating solutions on large scale at world level. And India has emerged as 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world with over 1,60,000 startups and more than 130 unicorns. The government pushed through initiatives like Startup India, Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India has energized youth participation in the growth of the nation and today we have become the fourth largest economy in the world,” he said.

Prof Sitharam further said, "We have come together to bring a change so that students are more employable and contribute to the growth of MSMEs which contribute approximately 30% to India's GDP. So if we empower MSMEs through technology, we will not be just creating jobs and also wealth but also make India a top country in the world.  Our students should become job creators than becoming job seekers.  Viksit Bharat 2047 is no more a dream. It's already happening with development of infrastructure and application of science and technology in areas like space, defence and atomic energy. Our development in these areas is completely indigenous. The creation of Digital Public Infrastructure is mindboggling and the world is mesmerised with what we have done.  So let's use this kind of collaborative learning for the good of the world,". 

In her keynote address, Chief Guest, Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), said the Union government brought a big change by introducing new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which is bringing universities in the country on the international map. 

"After this policy, about 15 of such universities from across the world have set up their campuses in the country and many more are coming soon. So India has now become a land for affordable quality education. Second NEP has given the autonomy to Indian higher educational institutions for dual degree and training programs and the whole university system and programs are being restructured under NEP. A lots of emphasis is being given on internships so that students become employable and teaching pedagogy is witnessing drastic changes.  Academic bank of credit has been introduced which students can do different courses for different universities. If NEP is implemented in letter and spirit, India will be Vishwa Guru again,".  

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "The NEP 2020 has laid much stress on internationalisation of Indian higher education in order to give students a global perspective for thriving in an interconnected world. In line with this, the 9th edition of CU's IFDP will equip our faculty members with modern teaching methodologies for delivering learner-centric, technology driven and globally relevant education,". 

In his address, guest of honour Prof (Dr) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director, NITTTR, Chandigarh said, “The vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (entire world is one family) by our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji which was inspired from the ancient Indian wisdom and One Earth, One Family, One Future have never been more relevant than they are today. 

"Our research must remain connected to local needs and regional challenges, while also addressing national priorities at the same time, we have the global vision of including everyone to move forward with that unity and spirit of family and togetherness. It is through such partnerships that we can carry forward the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and work collectively to address pressing global issues like climate change, inequality and socio-economic divides, ultimately striving for a better, more united world,” he added. 

Guest of Honor, Prof (Dr) Matilde María Olarte Martínez , Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Heritage, Sustainability and Campus Development, University of Salamanca, Spain said programs like IFDP are very important because they bring together scholars from different countries and languages on a single platform. 

Dr Montu Kumar M Patel, President, Pharmacy Council of India said, “It is the relentless efforts by universities like Chandigarh University that can only fulfil the vision of our nation and Prime Minister. The organization of international faculty development program by Chandigarh University will spur exchange of knowledge among scholars and renowned faculty members from different countries that in turn would be immensely helpful for teachers and students.”