Amritsar: A global educational hub in the making?

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 8

More than 10 state and Central Government-funded educational institutions are situated on a 4-km stretch from Puttalighar crossing to India Gate. Assistant Prof Dr Amanpreet Singh Gill of SGTB Khalsa College (Delhi University), has asked the district administration to set up a ‘Separate Area Development Authority’ for this particular stretch on the lines of the Delhi University’s North Campus.

Iconic Khalsa College and Guru Nanak Dev University spread over hundreds of acres can make this educational hub global. He said most institutes situated on this particular stretch share boundary walls, but there’s no specific development plan.

Dr Gill said establishment of an integrated authority would pave the way for single book and education material market, food street for students, a youth hostel for short-term stay, regulated paying guests with professional standards and one authority for students’ health and security. He said a specialised police post dedicated to campus can also be set up.

At present, there’s not even a signboard, which announces the presence of such diverse educational institutions on this stretch, including Khalsa College for Women, Khalsa College (autonomous), Khalsa College of Law, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (GADVASU), Khalsa College of Pharmacy (PTU), Khalsa College of Nursing, Agriculture College, Khalsa College of Education, Khalsa Collegiate School, Guru Nanak Dev University, Government Polytechnic, Indian Institute of Management, Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology being run by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Dr Gill said, “After implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), greater flow of foreign professors and scholars will take place in India and Amritsar shall have its due share if this zone is developed into a single brand. It will become a preferred destination for corporates houses to search for talent.” Amritsar DC Gurpreet Singh Khaira said, “It’s a novel idea and needs to be understood before taking a final call.”