Amritsar, Oct. 31 : Apart from its agricultural success, Punjab has also excelled in educational field, with universities and institutions imparting quality education and carrying out research work.

The State’s Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar is one among the five existing universities in the state that focus on nurturing and rewarding talent.

Established in 1969, to mark the 500th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar is today viewed as ‘a leader in education''. Having demonstrated its impact on the national level in nurturing talents, the university is now all set to scale new heights internationally.

Dr. Jai Rup Singh, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, said: “We have shown our presence at the national level in academics, sports and even culture. Now, we are aiming to get international recognition. And the process is on for that. We have also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with many foreign universities to exchange both students and teachers.”

Carefully nurtured by a committed academia, the University has carved out a niche for itself in the educational world.

Over the years, the University has built up an excellent academic infrastructure in the form of state-of-the-art laboratories and a well-stocked computerized library.

As per the university act, it lays emphasis on imparting education and promoting research in the humanities, sciences and especially in applied nature and technology.

At present nearly 5,000 students are studying on the Campus which includes four colleges, All India Services Training Centre, Computer Centre and Instrumentation Centre.

To promote research work among its faculty, almost all the departments have been provided with independent computer facilities, Internet connectivity and departmental libraries.

In recent years, the University has diversified in a big way through its programmes in applied sciences.

Dr. Vasudha Samyal, Head of the department of human genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, said: “Our many research papers have been published in various international journals on diabetes, microbiology and eye disorders. those research papers are baseline data of this area, as there is no other information available.”

Prof. Karanjeet, Head of the computer sciences, said: “Every passed out student from this university carries job offer from on an average 10 companies. And that is well before a year of their completion of course. In punjab this university is the first choice of students seeking admission.”

UGC has granted the University Centre for Excellence in Sports Sciences, whereas the National Assessment and Accreditation Council gave the University the "Five Star Level".

Being an affiliated University, it also performs the parenting role of directing and monitoring the academic programmes of more than 100 colleges. (ANI)