Our Special Correspondent
Meerpur (Rewari): Indira Gandhi University (IGU), Meerpur, celebrated its 14th Foundation Day with enthusiasm at the Kalpana Chawla Auditorium on the university campus. The celebrations began with a Hawan ceremony at Sardar Patel Bhawan, attended by university officials, faculty members, non-teaching staff and students, who prayed for the institution’s continued growth, prosperity and academic excellence.
The main programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aseem Miglani welcomed Chief Guest Dr. Raj Nehru, OSD to the Chief Minister of Haryana and Founder Vice-Chancellor of Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, along with Guests of Honour Prof. Sanjay Kaushik, Vice-Chancellor of Gurugram University, and Prof. Rajbir Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of MDU Rohtak. Registrar Prof. Dilbag Singh also welcomed the gathering.
Addressing the function, Dr. Raj Nehru said institutions must have absolute clarity about their purpose and remain focused on long-term objectives rather than minor distractions. He stressed the need to influence people rather than seek control and urged the university to develop independent revenue streams for sustainable growth, considering the constraints on government budgets funded through taxpayers.
Prof. Rajbir Singh said a foundation day should serve three purposes—reviewing past progress, celebrating achievements and making commitments for future growth. He emphasised that faculty should remain focused on teaching and learning, while administrators should ensure smooth academic governance.
Prof. Sanjay Kaushik congratulated the university fraternity and expressed confidence that IGU would scale greater heights. He stressed proactive preparation to meet emerging challenges and called for collective efforts towards institutional excellence.
Outstanding performers in youth festivals, sports and various competitions organised during the three-day Foundation Day celebrations were felicitated with trophies, certificates and prizes. Faculty members who secured research projects from reputed funding agencies were also honoured.
Presenting the university’s achievements, Prof. Aseem Miglani said IGU had fully integrated the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Three new departments—Defence Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Sanskrit—have been established, while undergraduate courses increased from four to 12, postgraduate programmes from 21 to 24 and Ph.D. programmes from 11 to 18. Industry-oriented programmes including B.Tech in AI and ML, BCA, B.Com in Logistics, MHMT and LL.M. have also been introduced.
The university has established an Indian Knowledge Systems Centre and Sanskrit Department, offering an M.A. in Sanskrit and a Diploma in Bhagavad Gita. Research publications increased from 323 to 487, with 6,567 citations and an H-index of 36. Seven patents have been granted, nine published and 15 research projects sanctioned.
IGU has also entered into MoUs with FICCI, SJHIFM, GIEO Gita Gyan Sansthanam and DLSA Rewari. Its Skill Enhancement Center has been launched, while students have won medals at All India Inter-University and Khelo India University Games.
Infrastructure development includes the operationalisation of a 260-capacity Bhagini Nivedita Girls’ Hostel. Construction of a 20,000-square-metre sports complex, Atal Library vertical extension and Type-IV faculty residences is progressing.
Prof. Aditi Sharma proposed the vote of thanks. Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Sunil Kumar, DSW Prof. Karan Singh, heads of departments, faculty members, research scholars, non-teaching staff, media representatives and students attended the programme.
