Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, in an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, shared details concerning to the research-driven approach at LPU along with placement records and collaborations with national or international institutes. Read the important highlights of the LPU VC interview here....
Q. How is LPU aligning its curriculum and teaching pedagogy with NEP 2020?
Dr Sandhu: LPU has strategically aligned its curriculum with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, embracing its vision of flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and skill-based education to nurture future-ready professionals. Through its pioneering EduRevolution initiative, LPU goes beyond traditional grading by evaluating students not only on academics but also on their skillsets, thus promoting real-world readiness and holistic development. This unique approach empowers students to build practical competencies that employers value, while experiential learning programs—ranging from live industry projects and internships to global immersion opportunities—ensure that learning is deeply rooted in application.
Another noteworthy alignment is in the integration of technology and innovation into pedagogy. LPU’s use of digital learning platforms, AI-enabled academic advising, and blended learning methodologies not only enhances engagement but also makes education accessible and personalised—hallmarks of a modern NEP-compliant institution.
Q. How is LPU fostering a research-driven environment among students and faculty?
Dr Sandhu: LPU is a research-driven institution with a strong emphasis on creating a dynamic and innovation-oriented academic environment. Research is deeply instilled in the university’s academic environment, encouraging both faculty and students to pursue cutting-edge work across disciplines.
LPU’s research ecosystem is its Research and Development (R&D) Cell, which acts as a centralised body supporting research activities across all faculties. The R&D Cell facilitates access to external funding, oversees intellectual property management, and encourages interdisciplinary collaborations. It provides researchers with access to advanced laboratories, modern equipment, and clearly defined ethical guidelines to ensure high standards in research practices.
The R&D Cell plays a crucial role in enhancing the university’s research output by organising workshops, seminars, training programs, and conferences. These initiatives support continuous professional development and academic networking. Beyond academic contributions, the Cell actively promotes research that results in real-world solutions, contributing to both societal improvement and economic development.
Supporting this infrastructure is the Department of Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF), which houses sophisticated and high-end scientific instruments essential for advanced research. The CIF serves as a central resource, enabling precise experimentation and data analysis across diverse fields such as life sciences, engineering, material science, and environmental studies. By making these resources accessible to all departments, the CIF enhances interdisciplinary research and maximises the university’s research capabilities.
Q Kindly specify LPU placement records and statistics. Which is the programme with the highest number of placements and which programme requires urgent attention concerning placements?
Dr Sandhu: LPU student Sri Vishnu, a B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) final year student, secured INR 2.5 crore domestic package with a leading Robotics and Automation company. Also, another impressive achievement comes from Betireddy Naga Vamsi Reddy, who has secured an outstanding INR 1.03 crore ($1,18,000) package with a leading Robotics and Automation company. In total, over 1,700 LPU students have received offers from top MNCs, with packages ranging from Rs 10 LPA to Rs 2.5 Crore. Hundreds of LPU students are working in renowned firms across the US, UK, and Australia, securing packages exceeding Rs 1 crore.
Q. Does the university support off-campus placements?
Dr Sandhu: Yes, the university supports the off-campus placements, but within the company premises.
Q. How is LPU promoting research at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels? Can you highlight some recent impactful research or patents filed by LPU faculty or students?
Dr Sandhu: Yes, LPU has made significant strides in research and innovation recently. Recently university has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the highest number of patent filings in the country for the academic year 2023–24. As per the Intellectual Property India Annual Report released by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks, Government of India, LPU filed an impressive 1,418 patents.
Some of the impactful research and patents filed by LPU faculty and students include: A novel pharmaceutical formulation for anti- arthritic activity, A high-performance VLSI architecture and system for optimised 5g network applications and many more.
Q. Are there any upcoming collaborations with national or international research institutions?
Dr Sandhu: Yes, LPU has established several significant national-level collaborations in 2025 with reputed research and academic institutions. We have signed MoUs with esteemed organisations, including Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad, IFFC,O New Delhi, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Sir Ganga Ram Trust Society, New Delhi, Heartfulness Education Trust, Telangana, FLAIR Delhi, Qvolv Technologies Noida, and the Social Action and Research Centre (SARC) Varanasi. In addition, several MoUs are currently in process with institutions such as Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Kheti Virasat Mission, Punjab, Sri Sai College of Engineering and Technology, Centre for Criminal Investigation & Forensic Science (CCIFS), Delhi, and others.
These collaborations are strategically aimed at advancing interdisciplinary research, facilitating academic exchange, and strengthening the institute’s contribution to national development
Q. How is funding for research projects managed and sourced at LPU?
Dr Sandhu: How We Source and Manage Research Funding
a) Centralized Coordination
A dedicated Sponsored Research & Development department oversees the entire research funding cycle. This includes identifying relevant funding calls, verifying eligibility, supporting proposal submissions, and managing post-award formalities.
b) Diverse Funding Sources
The university secures funding from a wide range of sources, including national agencies (e.g., DST, SERB, AICTE), international collaborations, industry partnerships, and internal seed grant programs.
2) How LPU Manages Sanctioned Research Funds
a) Transparent Fund Handling
Once a project is sanctioned, funds are managed through the university's official financial system using unique project codes.
b) Clerical Support for Compliance
Our clerical team plays a key role in supporting Principal Investigators (PIs) with budget utilization tracking, documentation for fund release, purchase orders, research staff salary disbursal, and preparation of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
Q. How is the university supporting students from economically weaker backgrounds financially?
Dr Sandhu: LPU offers financial aid to students from economically weaker backgrounds to ensure they have the support needed to pursue higher education. This assistance not only helps them access quality education but also boosts their chances of success and employability in the future.
Q. Is the university planning to introduce any new courses in the academic session 2025-26? How does the university support entrepreneurship and startup culture among students?
Dr Sandhu: Yes, LPU is constantly extending its academic offerings to stay in tune with industry trends. As part of its ongoing "Edu-Revolution" initiative, the university has introduced a recalibration program aimed at helping students focus more on real-world problem-solving rather than just theoretical or practical learning.
The goal is to inspire students to think like entrepreneurs or freelancers from the start. LPU encourages students to take up programs that are aligned with current market demands, helping them work on industry-relevant challenges. The projects students work on are designed to be solution-oriented, equipping them with the skills needed to launch their own startups or freelance careers.
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