ROHTAK: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday urged the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) to position itself as a center for developing research-based solutions to the challenges faced by the Delhi-NCR region, stressing that the university must align its research with societal needs to be globally relevant.Interacting with the academic community of the university, Lt Gen Sandhu said that 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 strengthen 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 provides 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, health and agriculture. Referring to India’s aging population, he said assisted healthcare for older adults will 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 interaction 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, the 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 have made significant contributions to the armed forces, academia, corporate sector and scientific research, while its sportspersons have won honors at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He added that the university developed problem-oriented research, especially in biosciences and pharmaceutical sciences, and was preparing a comprehensive road map to further strengthen teaching and research. MDU Dean of Academic Affairs (DAA) Prof AS Maan and other university officials also shared their views during the interactive session.
