BATHINDA: The Central University of Punjab and five other higher education institutions from North India have come together to sign an MoU for academic collaboration and resource-sharing. The primary objective of this collaboration is to facilitate the comprehensive implementation of NEP-2020 through a consortium mode. The signing of the MoU took place in Delhi on Saturday, on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of NEP in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar and K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary Higher Education. The consortium has been named ‘Consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of North India (CHEINI).’

This Consortium is a joint venture of the Central University of Jammu, Central University of Haryana, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Central University of Punjab, Central University of Rajasthan and Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar.
The initiative will pave the way for offering joint degree programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. Additionally, it will facilitate joint research projects, particularly focusing on issues relevant to the region (vocal for local). The collaboration will encompass various aspects, such as joint publications, credit transfers under the academic bank of credits, multiple-entry-exit options, exchange programs for faculty and students, and the sharing of resources, including instrumental facilities and other learning resources.

Prof Rajeev Ahuja, Director IIT Ropar, Prof Raghavendra P Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor CU Punjab, Prof Tankseshwar Kumar, Vice-Chancellor CU Haryana, Prof Anand Bhalerao, Vice-Chancellor CU Rajasthan, Prof SP Bansal, Vice-Chancellor CU Himachal Pradesh and Prof Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor CU Jammu were the signatories to the MoU.
While signing the MoU, the member HEIs of the consortium expressed their unwavering commitment to fully implement the reforms envisioned in NEP-2020. The aim is to transform the learning system and empower the youth of the nation with holistic development and 21st-century global skills.
The Heads of the partnering institutions of the consortium have decided to meet on August 26 at CU Punjab, Bathinda, to prepare a roadmap for the successful implementation of the objectives outlined in this MoU. They also expressed their eagerness to explore possibilities of involving other higher education institutions (HEIs) from the region to join the consortium, thereby making it more comprehensive and broad-based.