By ANJALI NAURIYAL
Gauravdeep Singh, President, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, joined the organisation at a young age of 23, immediately after his graduation in Physiotherapy. He then had the onerous task of carrying forward the fire of education ignited by his late father, Sardar Gurcharan Singh, in the year 1989.
SBSU was then a biomedical college and today it stands tall as a university of distinction offering courses in seven schools of excellence. With a zeal to take the institution to greater heights, Singh introduced best student[1]centric policies and new programmes in Biotechnology, Masters in PT (1st in the North), Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Applied Chemistry, Allied Health Sciences, Agriculture Sciences, Business Management, Computer Science, apart from PhD programmes. He inked tie-ups with hospitals across the North and NCR, and the rest, as they say, is history.
recent courtesy visit to Raj Bhawan. In this interaction, Gauravdeep apprised the
Governor about SBS University’s journey of 30 eventful years.
Academics apart, Singh has keen interest in social upliftment and combining the two elements together he plunged headlong into gaining for his institution a list of accomplishments. His efforts over the years earned him the ‘Best President’s Award’ while serving as Rotary Club Dehradun President and ‘Best Chairman’s Award’ while serving Round Table India. He was also honoured by the Indian Association of Physiotherapists for his extraordinary contribution to the field.
Emphasising the core philosophy of the University today, he states that the key is to keep the institution Industry oriented and focused on practical training.
Guiding and motivating students to pursue the right career is his forte.
In today’s tech driven world, skills and competencies are essential for carving an identity in the academic and career landscape, he asserts.
“Regarding traditional teaching methods, I still prefer the good old chalk and board method, and motivating students to visit the library rather than google, and take up different hobbies,” he avers when questioned about the educational challenges of contemporary times. “Students are losing interest in science and research and this interest needs to be revived,” he emphasises.
As an educationist, he considers it his prime duty to augment efforts to foster multicultural understanding amongst his students.
He points out that the educated adult today is much more tolerant to multicultural environment than two decades ago. “Outdoor activities, sports, cocurricular activities definitely strengthen character and inculcate leadership and team spirit,” he outlines. “This, combined with patriotism and pride in our identity and country, form the bedrock of a successful life. We seek to strengthen love for the country amongst younger generations by celebrating all festivals with fervour in our campus,” he signs off.
