Delhi lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu said on Saturday that universities must align their academic pursuits with society’s evolving needs if they aspire to achieve global recognition.
Addressing an interactive session with the Maharshi Dayanand University’s (MDU) faculty members, he said the rapidly changing global landscape demands a shift from conventional academic research to innovation that offers practical solutions to real-world problems. “The identity of Indian universities in the coming years will be shaped not merely by academic excellence but by meaningful research, international collaborations and their ability to provide solutions to societal challenges,” he said.
Referring to MDU, he said its location in the National Capital Region places it in a unique position to address the region’s emerging developmental and environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research.
He urged the university to focus on priority areas such as biosciences, pharmaceutical sciences, green energy, environmental conservation, pollution control, healthcare and sustainable agriculture, saying these sectors would play a vital role in India’s future growth.