Punjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar has stressed the need for reforms in the University Senate and assured that elections to the governing body will be held soon and a formal notification will be issued soon thereafter. The conviction was announced during a meeting with Punjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) President Anurag Dalal in New Delhi on Friday.
The term of the PU Senate ends on October 31 and elections have not yet been scheduled, sparking more than two months of protests by student groups outside the VC office. These protests were supported by political leaders and elected representatives from Punjab and Chandigarh, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
Dalal, the first independent president in Congress’ history, raised serious concerns during the meeting, including the Senate elections, lack of infrastructure and staff dissatisfaction. Discussions also addressed specific challenges such as insufficient laboratory facilities, parking issues, classroom conditions, and the need for increased funding for infrastructure improvements.
Regarding the faculty issue, Dalal highlighted the Punjab University Teachers Association (PUTA)’s demand for resolution of outstanding arrears. In response, Dhankar promised to write to the UGC to expedite its response to the issue.
The conference marked an important milestone as Dalal became the first PU Students’ Union President to work directly with the New Delhi University Chancellor on both student and institutional issues.
