Mohali, August 20: Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC), Jhanjeri, has officially been upgraded to CGC University as the institution completes 25 years of academic operations. With this transition, Mohali now has its fourth university, a development that leaders described as both a milestone and a commitment to expanding access to higher education.
Founder chancellor S. Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal said the new status was the culmination of years of growth and service. “This varsity is my commitment to the society. Quality education should not be a privilege reserved for a few; it must be available to every individual. We aim to prepare students who can not only secure jobs but also contribute meaningfully to the society. For me, the transition is not just about infrastructure or recognition, but about creating opportunities for every child who dreams of higher education,” he mentioned.
Managing director Arsh Dhaliwal announced that the university would strengthen industry integration in academics. “Students will get internships with stipends ranging between ₹75,000 and ₹1,00,000,” he said. Executive director Sushil Prashar added that the varsity would implement a unique 50:50 model. “Half the classes will be conducted by faculty members and the other half by industry professionals, including CEOs and entrepreneurs,” Prashar explained.
In terms of inclusivity, the university will offer postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Punjabi to ensure access for regional students. Sports also received a push, with officials declaring that scholarships worth up to ₹1 crore will be awarded to students who win Olympic medals.
Industry leaders present at the launch stressed that universities must equip students with practical knowledge and soft skills. Anand Akhouri of EY observed, “Companies today are not only evaluating technical knowledge but also how students approach real-world challenges. Skills like empathy, communication, and adaptability are equally important.”
Echoing the sentiment, Gagan Agrawal of IBM India said, “The industry no longer has the luxury of spending six months to a year on training graduates. We need professionals who can step into roles and deliver from day one. This requires universities to align curriculum with industry requirements.”
The university also announced initiatives to support freelancers and professionals from tier-2 and tier-3 towns through vocational and digital programmes offered in regional languages. In addition, collaborations with the MSME sector are planned for student projects in digital marketing. The curriculum, officials stated, will be aligned with national programmes such as Skill India, Startup India, and Digital India.
