Distinguished Physical Educationalists from University of New England, Australia, visited LPU

Jalandhar: Significant guest-lectures on ‘Contemporary Curriculum and Pedagogical approaches for Physical Education in Australia’ were, recently, held at LPU’s Department of Physical Education. The resource persons for the said purpose were Dr Judith Miller and Dr John Haynes from University of New England (UNE), Australia. Both, the visiting foreign faculty are renowned experts in the field of their research and publications. About 400 students of the Department got benefited through high-valued educative deliveries.

Both of the visitors are Senior Lecturers at Faculty of the Professions, School of Education of UNE and are members of the Health, Physical Education and Sports Studies team. Dr Judith Miller increased the knowledge of the LPU students for personal development, health and physical education pedagogy. She explained about her major research projects, which are focused on enhancing school-aged children’s health, through nutritional knowledge and behavior understanding. Whereas, Dr John Haynes let the students aware about Sensory motor mode of learning; Movement studies; Applied anatomy; Fundamental motor skills; and Teaching games for understanding.

On this visit of education specialists at the University, LPU’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Ramesh Kanwar said: “Our students have added much to their knowledge from the expertise of visiting UNE faculty, who have years of Research and Publication experience. Through this receiving the students will certainly get a boost to their career in the field of physical education and sports activities.” 

Feeling very happy on visiting LPU and delivering lectures, both of the visitors appreciated the educative environment and infrastructure at the University. Informing about UNE, they told: “UNE has a long tradition of serving the regions in Australia as well as the world. At present, UNE is reaching out globally by contributing career-ready graduates and a prominent portfolio of research, education, business, community activity. In fact, UNE’s stated mission of “Achieving Regional and Global Impact” accurately reflects our current visit, activity and future goals.”

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Department of Fine Arts of LPU showcased students’ enchanting creations at its 1st annual Art Exhibition ‘Creative Contour-2012’

*About 500 pieces of different art works like Charcoal Drawings, Sculpting, Posters, Prints, Sketching, Photography, Typography, Graphic Designs and others were at display

Jalandhar: Department of Fine Arts at Lovely Professional University organised its four days first annual art exhibition ‘Creative Contour-2012’. This art exhibition showcased about 500 artworks, in different genre, created and designed by the university students . These creations were in different fields of the art forms, including charcoal drawings, sculpting, clay-modeling, mural painting, sketching, ceramic designs, metal craft, print/card/poster making, photography, typography, 3-D modeling, graphic designs, canvass paintings, paper -cutting pasting, pottery designing, have made it as the largest exhibition through department. After display at Department’s Gallery & Studios, these artistic creations will also be displayed at LPU Uni Mall-Students Resource center.

Appreciating the efforts of the faculty and the students, LPU Pro Chancellor Ms Rashmi Mittal said: “I am glad to note that through our initiative taken, the creative students have put in practice what they have learnt in classes. Presenting themselves as professional artists, students have displayed their own area of expertise under unique styles.” Appreciating, especially, the Mural painting, she applauded the work on the ceiling of one of the studios: “Working on the lines of the greatest artist of the world, Michelangelo, students have come out with innovative work, which has been appreciated by all. Looking at the amount of creativity in such works, we are devising to show these creations in the open market as well. This is inclined that this exhibition should be exhibited in cities like Chandigarh, Delhi & Mumbai.”

Some of the artist-students of the University, Harinder Kaur, Shashi Kant, Raj Kumar, Renuka, Tashi, Ugyen, Harpreet Kaur, who devoted themselves for painting art on ceiling, felt very happy on getting appreciation: “We toiled very much to get ceiling designed as we wanted. For this, sometimes we worked hours together forgetting all about our meals and rest hours. We are also thankful to the faculty who guided us how to create art on the ceiling, with the needed raised platforms.”

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Eminent Academic Giants pondered together at LPU to strategize Reformation in Indian Higher Education

*Occasion was North Zone Vice Chancellors’(VCs) Annual Meet hosted first time in Jalandhar 

*36 Vice Chancellors of AIU’s Member Universities of seven Indian states and union territories discussed enormously to have world class higher education in India

*AIU President & Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University Imphal, Prof SN Puri graced the occasion, with his special reach from Manipur

“Let our contemplation together maintain spirit of credibility of the Association:” Prof Puri exhorted from all the participating VCs

“Priority should be to prepare students as global citizens; putting them in jobs remains secondary”: Prof Puri

“LPU shall leave no stone unturned to be among top 200 universities of the world”: LPU VC Dr R Kanwar

Jalandhar: The highest level of academic Event in North India, AIU’s North Zone Vice Chancellors’(VCs) Annual Conference started, today, at LPU Campus. In the conference, 36 Vice Chancellors of AIU’s Member Universities of seven Indian states and union territories discussed to strategize reformation in Indian Higher Education. It is for the first time that the conference of such a stature happened in Doaba Region. Stretching to two days for four technical sessions, on the first day important issues related to present education scenario like ‘In-breeding issues in academia’ and ‘Shortage of Quality Faculty at Indian Universities & how to overcome this problem’ were discussed in elaboration. Two other sessions of ‘Academia- industry Interface’ & ‘Globalization’ will be followed up the next day. The conference commenced with the welcome of AIU President Prof SN Puri and other delegates by LPU Pro Chancellor Ms Rashmi Mittal.

While discussing for the success of universities, in relation to the issue of shortage of quality faculty, VCs wanted to prepare PhD students for future faculty jobs. On these lines, they wanted to have some of the best and brightest students to be attracted to PhD programs by offering good fellowships per month. In addition, it was also held that an encouraging environment and good policies should be created for faculty to do PhD part-time. VCs maintained that without quality faculty, quality teaching and research programmes imparting quality education will be the biggest challenge. VCs also discussed about mutual collaborations between universities to facilitate joint research, faculty development programs, joint conferences, workshops and joint research project proposals.

Addressing the assemblage of intellectuals, President AIU, Prof Puri touched and highlighted all the topics like quality education, faculty, funding, society, employability, academics, foreign education and sports. He held: “The great matter of concern in present education scenario is that good faculty is shying away from this profession.” For funding he laid stress that state governments should come forward for maintenance of infrastructure of Universities. Speaking about the choice of study programmes, he opined: “In India, more than 60% population is associated with agriculture or related profession. However, only 0.01% of all graduating students get degrees related to agriculture.” Following concrete data, he wanted that 200 more universities are needed to impart education to aspiring students for preferred vocational programmes. Having appreciation for all the participating VCs and Directors, he exhorted all of them: “Let our contemplation together maintain spirit of credibility of the Association.”

Thanking one and all present for the conference, LPU VC, Dr Ramesh Kanwar hoped to come out with key findings for the ushering problems in the education scenario. He also assured that following the solutions sought at the conference and with the co-operation of AIU member universities: “LPU would leave no stone unturned to be among top 200 universities of the world.” He specially thanked the President AIU for entrusting LPU to host such a magnanimous organization.

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North Zone Vice Chancellors resolved at LPU to work together to make Northern India hub of Higher Education

*VCs got determined to shape maximum of zonal universities to have coveted place among top 200 universities of the world

Jalandhar: On the valedictory day of AIU’s North Zone Vice chancellors Meet at Lovely Professional University, all the Vice Chancellors, Directors & Delegates, resolved to work together to make Northern India a hub of Higher Education. Making many other related resolutions, they got strong-minded to shape maximum of zonal universities to have coveted place among top 200 universities of the world. Commencing the second & final day of the conference with third technical session for Academia Industry Interface, VCs shared their thoughts unanimously to have more and more engagement of educational institutes with industries. They held that it is strongly needed so that renowned companies might visit and interact with the students to let them become globally competent professionals. VCs also discussed about the key role of industry in curricula development, consultancy and research. In the last and the fourth session detailed discussion was held among VCs for globalization of education.

Speaking on the conclusive day, Prof R Krishnakumar, AIU Secretary General & VC of Yashwant Rao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nasik, maintained: “It is imperative that universities would have to work with industry more closely to fulfill responsibility of producing right human resource for country.” He also mentioned: “If some major steps are taken right now, by 2020 we would be able to realize to make India as one of the most prominent contributor to the global man-power across the globe. This will certainly help universities to strive to get included in the top list of 200 universities of the world.”

Bidding adieu to the top educationists of AIU member universities, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal said: “This annual conference had mind-catching significance as the Vice Chancellors who participated in the deliberation are the distinguished leaders of the Indian higher education and at prominent position to bring change. I am sure, meaningful dialogues and deliberations among the galaxy of intellectuals carve out a niche to bring substantial reform in the arena of Higher Education.”

While discussing about Academia Industry Interface, Prof Satish Chandra Jain, Vice Chancellor Mangalayatan University Aligarh, held: “The pressing need of the hour is to re-design curriculum. 50 % of the course ought to be in relation to Industry requirements.” LPU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ramesh Kanwar suggested: “Curriculum should be devised in such a way that it should shape students to be ever industry ready.”

The two-day conference of AIUs North Zone VCs was organized at LPU on 23 -24 Nov 2012, which provided a platform to Vice-Chancellors to discuss significant issues of higher education and problems being faced by them. The conference was attended by 36 VCs belonging to the varsities located in the zone. LPU was specially chosen for this conference, looking at the fast growth of the university, which has been regularly scaling on international parameters requisite in the realms of education.

Illustrative, Prof Abdus Sattar Mohammad, Vice Chancellor North South University Dhaka (Bangla Desh) and Dr Suresh Kumar from IOWA State University, US also participated in the ‘Meet’. Apart from Indian universities, six foreign varsities, including Kathmandu University, Nepal; Royal University of Bhutan, Thimpu; Middle East University, UAE; Open University Malayasia, Malaysia; University of Technology, Mauritius and the Mauritius University are also the associate members of the AIU.

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LPU hosting AIU’s North Zone Vice-Chancellors Annual Meet for two-days from November 23

* Near 40 Vice-chancellors from AIU’s Member Universities are expected to attend 

*Meet to find solutions to critical issues affecting the higher education in India

Jalandhar: In order to discuss critical issues affecting the higher education in India, Association of Indian Universities’ North Zone Vice Chancellors annual Meet would be held at LPU for two days, from November 23, 2012. Near 40 Vice- Chancellors, from the Universities of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, UT Chandigarh, New Delhi and Punjab, have consented so far to participate. Some of the important issues have been identified for discussion in the Meet, under a broader theme, like ‘Shortage of quality faculty at Indian Universities & how to overcome this’; ‘Inter-University collaboration/partnerships for mutual success’; and, ‘Academia-Industry Interface’. These issues will be discussed to come out with possible solutions using the collective wisdom of all the Vice Chancellors of the Zone.

The Meet will be inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prof S N Puri, President AIU and Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University Imphal, Manipur. The Guest of Honour of the day will be LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal. Chief Guest for the valedictory Session will be AIU’s Secretary General Dr. R Krishnakumar, Vice Chancellor, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharastra Open University, Nashik. Prof Mohammad Abdus Sattar, Vice Chancellor North South University Dhaka (Bangladesh), will also address the intellectual assembly on significant role of AIU in Higher Education.

In this regard Press Conference was held where LPU Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ramesh Kanwar and AIU President Dr. S N Puri were present. Talking to media, LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal said: “This Meet has remarkable implication as the Vice Chancellors who are expected to participate in the deliberation are the renowned leaders of higher education in India. Now-a-days, education is to be designed in such a way that ultimately it proves to be a forerunner of social and economic transformation of the society. Knowledge capital has become the major shipper of the society. As such, meetings of the think-tanks, like this, are of utmost importance. Dr. Ramesh Kanwar, VC LPU stated- through these meets knowledge base is regularly strengthened by having updated & excellent education system.

Through this ‘Conference’, we anticipate to come out with solid resolutions containing measures to be adopted by different stakeholders, namely Government, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors and other university functionaries.” Dr. S N Puri, President AIU mentioned that AIU has hold of 441 Government & Private Universities as its members. This annual event is at the core of the objective of AIU which is to bring reform in higher education.

AIU has been working as a coordinating body to protect the interest of the students and universities. One of the annual features of AIU is to organize Vice Chancellors' Zonal and National Meets. Such a meet is an important event in the AIU Calendar, which provides important platform to discuss the significant issues of higher education and the problems faced. Last years’ meetings have brought solutions to many problems. This year, too, much fruitful is expected to come out for the field of education. Moreover, these meetings also play accelerating role in letting the voice of intelligentsia heard before government and other national and international stakeholders of higher education.

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LPU honoured with Government of India’s “e-India Best Open & Distance Learning Initiative of the year- 2012 Award”

*The occasion was India's Largest ICT event ‘8th e-India Summit’ held at Hyderabad

*Award is for LPU e-Connect - the online Learning Management System of Distance Education

Jalandhar: LPU e-Connect the online Learning Management System of Distance Education- has recently bagged e-India 2012 Award in the category of Best Open & Distance Learning Initiative of the year 2012. The honour was bestowed upon LPU by Sri Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP). The occasion was ‘e-India 2012 - the 8th edition of India’s largest and most prestigious ICT event, hosted by A P Government, at Hyderabad.

The e-INDIA event, convened at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), was supported by Ministry of Commerce & Industries and Ministry of Urban Development; Unique Identity Authority of India, Government of India; All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT); National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC); Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGET); and, Ministry of Labor & Employment, Government of India.

On this coveted achievement, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal expressed happiness: “It is a matter of great pride for us while receiving e-connect initiative honor bestowed upon the University. This award is in recognition of novel ICT endeavors adopted for the spread of distance education to each and every nook and corner not only of India but also globe across. We are happy that with this LPU has emerged as a frontline University in the implementation of e governance.” He further informed: “We have been keenly focusing on growth and development of new and emerging technologies. Thus, understanding the new trends, LPU has also introduced mobile phone application for i-phone and android. We are using IT to make services more transparent, and also to reduce response time.”

Illustrative, e-INDIA Governance Summit presented the country’s most prestigious awards in the governance sector to felicitate and recognize the achievers, innovators and suppliers who significantly contributed towards the growth and development of e-Governance.

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LPU hosted three-day Punjab School Education Board's Regional Competitions for Co-Curricular & Cultural Events

*Punjab State Education Board entrusted LPU such mammoth conduction third time in consecution
* Near 2000 school students displayed applauding performances for 15 events under three categories, before eminent Judges
* About 200 Schools from Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Moga , Barnala, Jalandhar competed
*Students performed for War Gayan, Kawishri, Gatka, One Act Plays, Folk Songs, Dances, Painting, Poetry, Calligraphy etc
*Rural students excelled their urban competitors in exhibiting & absorption of great culture of Punjab & India

Jalandhar:  LPU successfully hosted Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Jalandhar Region’s   three-day competitions for cultural & co-curricular events, at its campus. Stretched from 6th November, 2012, these 15 competitive events concluded today.  More than 2000 students from 200 schools participated. On the first day 350 students, on second 800 and on third day 850 students competed for different competitions.  To fulfill strenuous task of such a mammoth conduction, it is third time in continuation that LPU has been entrusted by the State Education Board of the Government of Punjab.  In this regard, the Division of Student Affairs of the university cared for the whole organization.

Held annually at Block, District, Regional and State Level in chronological order; these co-curricular activities have due Academic Weight-age for the participants. As such, these competitions help the participants in having Reservation of Seats for all Academic and Professional Courses at University as well as School Level, as per their talent potentialities. The winners of Jalandhar Region will now compete at the state level.  

Praising the efforts & structure of events by PSEB, LPU’s Pro Chancellor Ms Rashmi Mittal expressed her happiness on hosting of competitions by LPU: “This time we have made hat-trick in maintaining mutual trust with PSEB by accommodating the young minds for their extraordinary talents, at LPU Campus.  Through this annual activity, it is evident that PSEB has made conscious effort for all round personality development of the young students of the state. LPU always wants to share such social works and responsibilities, which uphold Indian/regional traditions, customs, values and culture in abundance.” Congratulating the winners and other participants, she further added: "We are pleased to see the successful conclusion of competitions, where students revealed talents in a befitting manner. Participating students should learn that competitions teach to put forward one’s hundred percent, irrespective of victory or defeat.”

On contacting school teachers Ms Paramjit Kaur from Dashmesh Sr Sec School Ludhiana &, Ms Ramandeep Kaur Govt Girls High School Hathur (Jagraon), who accompanied participating students, they held: "It is really great that students of primary and middle class level have performed on the University stage. Performing in such an ambience also makes the students aspire to work harder and go for higher education." Also, some of the first position winner-students Lovepreet (Folk Song), Rupinder(Solo Dance) & Samarjeet Singh(Painting) said that they were indeed lucky to perform before the audience and spectators of the largest University of India: “We have been inspired to do much better next."

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Three –Day Annual Intra University Student Carnival ‘ICARUS 2012’ concluded at LPU

*An amalgamation of 55 science, technology, sports, cultural, management and literary events 

* Sub-titled as Wings of imagination, the event inspired students to follow their dreams & imaginations

Jalandhar:  Following former President of India Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s holding “What you imagine is what will transpire…. What you believe is what you will achieve”; Student Organization Cell of LPU organized a three- day event ‘ICARUS 2012-Wings of Imagination’.  This organization, which was held as an Annual Intra University Student Carnival, saw an amalgamation of 55 exhibitions, workshops, events, potpourri and celebrations. These events designed and derived from the realms of science, technology, sports, cultural and management entertained and added to the knowledge of the onlooker-students.

Awarding the students during valedictory ceremony of ICARUS 2012, Director General of LPU Er HR Singla congratulated each and every participant. Addressing, he said: “We are immensely happy to note the creativity and productivity of the students.  We hope that students will continue learning the basic principles and latest methodologies in different areas to excel others.   The projects and allied workings which have been revealed here will further help students to understand the importance of all Dos and Don’ts, in their areas of learning. LPU will continuously strive to inculcate skills of Creativity, Innovations and leadership among its students, through relevantly needed criteria. 
Some of the participating students said that ICARUS-2012 has taught us a lot: “We kept pondering, creating, innovating and, even, having fun while participating in the events and seeing the efforts of the fellow students. In fact, we immersed ourselves into the ocean of extravaganza under the guidance and motivation of faculty to display and exhibit our projects."

Illustrative, for exhibitions there were Electric Car, many Student Initiated Projects, Painting and Comic-Con Celebration. Sports entertainment were for Table-Tennis, Basket Ball, Fun & Masala Cricket, Street Football, Lan Gaming, Badminton, Chess and Green Marathon.  Events like Ad making Competition, Da-Vinci-Scavenger, Spell Bee LPU 'Dyktando', Brainic Quiz Competition, Code Master LPU, Ludificator were from Department of Management. Whereas,  in the fields of science and technology, there were arrangements for Aqua Robot Competition, Maze follower, Cantilever Bridge, Water rocket, Automobile, Image Processing, Chromatography, Web Designing,  immunology & Electro-tech Workshops. For Night events there were the best arrangements for Night Sky Watch watching, Sky Lantern Ceremony, Animated Movie Screening.  These were added with attractive Robo-wars, Junkyard Genius, Spread Streak &Tweak events. 

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LPU’s School of Hospitality celebrated International level Culinary Festival ‘Flavours 2012’

 *Competition to judge Hotel Management students about their preparedness for the hotel industry

*Would-be-chefs (Students) from top educational Institutions and universities of North India participated in the event

Jalandhar: India is well-known worldwide for its splendid foods, flavours and festivals. Maintaining the same, LPU’s School of Hospitality celebrated its annual Culinary Festival “Flavours 2012”, today, to promote “Chef Profession” among young students. The celebration saw the best combo of amazing food, innovative national/international ‘carte du jour’(dishes) and unbelievable group of talented would-be-chefs from competing 20 educational Institutions and universities. During the fest, the budding professional-students were provided a big platform to showcase their culinary skills, which would further motivate them to build strong foundations in Hospitality Industry. For this, a number of competitions like Healthy Breakfast Dish, Innovative Soup with accompaniment, Novel Menu, Creative Dessert and Culinary Quiz were held. Following international rules, the competing students were judged for accuracy of recipe, presentation/balance, taste, technique/skill, creativity, hygiene & use of indigenous ingredients.     

Congratulating all the winners and other participating students, Director General of LPU Er HR Singla said: “It is heartening to note that Indian hospitality industry is growing exponentially and is predicted to grow 17 percent up to 2014, thereby adding millions of new jobs to the present work force.  Moreover in relation to the same, India will be a tourism hot-spot up to 2018, having the highest growth potential.  So a career in hospitality is sure to open up opportunities to earn a very good living with great income.” He further informed: “Through this competition, the endeavour of our School of Hospitality is to impart knowledge, skills, concepts and techniques to the students to learn and emerge as global hospitality service providers.” 

Some of the participants Harsh & Jyotsana said: “We know that the competitive celebrations like this are sure to develop and promote the related culinary skills in us towards flourishing food & beverage industry.  We have learnt so many innovative styles of food preparation and presentation skills, viable in terms of food-cost and nutrition, from our rivals also. This fest has really strengthened our individual creativity by furnishing us a big platform to portray skills, techniques and styles.” 

In fact, hospitality industry is a vibrant and glamorous field by offering more dynamic work environment than other professions. If one considers the level of accommodation that companies provide for top managers, or even the day-to-day perks that hotel and restaurant managers get for free, one finds that the salaries are very competitive with other industries.

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Rwanda's Ambassador paid a special visit to Lovely Professional University (LPU)

“You are lucky to study at LPU in a great country India”: His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza told to students from Rwanda 

* Rwandan Students assured His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza: “We will prove ourselves to be models of integrity.” 

Jalandhar: On special visit to the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, Rwanda’s Ambassador His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza visited Lovely Professional University, today.   On reaching LPU, His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza, who was accompanied by 2nd Counsellor Mr Mucyo Rutishisha, was warmly welcomed by LPU Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Kanwar, for valuable discourse.  As part of the visit, His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza met more than 200 Rwandan students, who are getting education at LPU under different study programmes like Computer Applications/Information Technology, Computer Science, Business, Economics, and Pharmacy etc.  The Ambassador also enjoyed the opportunity to visit the 9 storey Central Library, Student Resource Centre, hostels and laboratories of the university. 

His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza was highly impressed with the facilities & education support being provided to the students of his country. He got emotional when students presented their National Anthem-“Rwanda Nziza Gihugu Cyacu, Wuje imisozi, lbiyaga n’ lbirunga”, which means “Beautiful Rwanda, our country; adorned of hills, lakes and volcanoes”. During interaction with students, he heard them keenly and was very happy to note the oneness of the students with the culture of India and the Punjab State: “India is a great country and you are lucky to receive education in a country which is going to be number one economy of the world. I want you to absorb the greatness of India’s culture, civilization and the working pattern which have made it the best place in the world. Moreover, LPU where you are getting world class education is indeed a university with difference working strenuously to provide top-notch education. I encourage you to learn, in addition to your studies, how people in India and Punjab are working to have great stories of success.”

On this occasion, Nshutiyimana Abraham Braddock, a BBA student made presentation of Rwandan students’ commitment titled ‘RWANDAN COMMUNITY IN LPU: VISION AND DETERMINATION’. He laid stress that student community has a big scope of thinking for their country, continent as well as the world as a whole.  BCA student, Kubwimana Thomas, Nkunzimama Christophe of MBA Tourism & Hospitality and others thanked LPU for opportunity to have special interaction session with His Excellency Mr Williams Nkurunziza. On behalf of the students they informed the Hon’ble visitor: “We are learning in a great educational system of LPU by getting professional studies as we want.”

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