ROHTAK: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday urged Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) to position itself as a hub for developing research-based solutions to the challenges facing the Delhi-NCR region, stressing that universities must align their research with societal needs to remain globally relevant.Interacting with the university’s academic community, Lt. Gen. Sandhu said the changing global landscape demanded problem-oriented research focused on local, regional and national issues. He advocated stronger collaboration between universities and industry, saying such partnerships would drive innovation and enhance the global standing of Indian higher education institutions. “The future identity of Indian universities will be defined by global networking and meaningful research,” he said.Describing MDU as an institution with immense potential, Lt. Gen. Sandhu said its location in the National Capital Region provided a strategic advantage for interdisciplinary research and innovation. He urged the university to focus on priority areas such as biosciences, green energy, environmental conservation, pollution control, healthcare and agriculture. Referring to India’s ageing population, he said assisted healthcare for older adults would emerge as a major challenge and called for sustained research to develop practical solutions. He also encouraged the university to invite leading national and international experts for regular interactions with students and faculty to promote academic excellence.Lt. Gen. Sandhu also praised the university’s green campus, describing it as a model of environmental sustainability.Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Milap Punia welcomed the Lieutenant Governor and highlighted the university’s recent achievements in academics, research and sports. He said MDU alumni had made significant contributions to the armed forces, academia, the corporate sector and scientific research, while its sportspersons had won honours at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He added that the university was expanding problem-oriented research, particularly in biosciences and pharmaceutical sciences, and was preparing a comprehensive roadmap to further strengthen teaching and research. MDU Dean of Academic Affairs (DAA) Prof. A.S. Maan and other university officials also shared their views during the interactive session.
