Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Friday, 4 September visited the 144-year-old Panjab University in Chandigarh and inaugurated two major research infrastructure initiatives — the Advanced Instrumentation Facility at the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility/Central Instrumentation Laboratories (SAIF/CIL) and the Panjab University Tech Innovation Forum (PU-TIF). The visit marked a significant step in the university's ambition to position itself as a globally competitive institution of higher education and research.

What Was Inaugurated

The Advanced Instrumentation Facility at SAIF/CIL now houses five state-of-the-art scientific instruments: an Atomic Force Microscope, a Raman Spectrometer, a DNA Sequencer, a Flow Cytometer, and an FTIR Spectrometer. According to the Vice-President, these additions will significantly strengthen the university's research capabilities in nanotechnology, materials science, environmental science, and genomics.

The PU-TIF, which evolved from the earlier Bio-NEST incubation programme, has been reconstituted as a Section 8 not-for-profit company — a structural shift designed to provide a more robust institutional framework for advancing research, entrepreneurship, and technology development. Together, SAIF/CIL and PU-TIF form the backbone of the university's ecosystem for academic, applied, and translational research.

Key Remarks by the Vice-President

Radhakrishnan recalled Panjab University's distinguished legacy since its establishment in 1882, acknowledging its contribution to nation-building through generations of leaders, jurists, scientists, sportspersons, and public servants. He said India is increasingly emerging as a global destination for quality education, research, and innovation.

Addressing young researchers, the Vice-President urged them to pursue science with purpose, remain resilient in the face of failure, and develop innovations that are 'inclusive, scalable and capable of addressing real societal needs.' He stressed that research must have a meaningful impact on society and that ideas from classrooms and laboratories should translate into opportunities for youth, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Campus Safety and Student Welfare

Radhakrishnan also addressed a sensitive issue — campus safety — following the death of a Ph.D. student at the university. He stated that he had immediately directed university authorities to undertake a comprehensive safety audit of the entire campus. An internal committee has been constituted to review existing infrastructure and submit a detailed report. The Vice-President stressed that the safety and well-being of students and staff must remain the university's highest priority.

Anti-Drug Appeal and Path Forward

Calling upon students to contribute towards a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat', Radhakrishnan urged them to stay away from substance abuse and encourage their families and friends to do the same. He concluded by inviting suggestions from the university community on concrete measures to transform Panjab University into a world-class institution of higher education and research, calling for collective efforts from all stakeholders.

Among those present were Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari, and Vice-Chancellor Meenakshi Goyal. The inauguration signals a renewed institutional commitment to research-led growth at one of India's oldest universities, with its next phase of development likely to hinge on how effectively PU-TIF bridges academia and industry.