In a major push toward making world-class education accessible and reducing student dropouts, Chandigarh University inaugurated the first edition of its CU Scholars’ Summit 2025 on Friday. The university felicitated 2,516 top achievers of its national-level admission-cum-scholarship entrance test, CUCET 2025, awarding them scholarships across 110 undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated the three-day summit as the Chief Guest, in the presence of Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu, and other dignitaries.
Among the awardees were 918 meritorious girl students from 20 states. The Governor praised the university’s scholarship initiative, calling it a critical tool in the mission to transform India into Viksit Bharat by 2047. “If India is to become a developed nation, the role of institutions like Chandigarh University will be pivotal,” he said.
Kataria commended the university for offering scholarships worth ?210 crore annually and for curbing the dropout rate by providing financial support to talented students who may otherwise be unable to continue their education. “Chandigarh University has emerged as a beacon of academic excellence, attracting students from all 28 Indian states and 60 countries,” he added.
The Governor highlighted Chandigarh University’s contribution to reversing the brain drain, stating that students now prefer to pursue world-class education within India, thanks to the conducive academic ecosystem developed by CU. Drawing parallels with ancient centres of learning like Takshashila and Nalanda, he said CU is reviving India’s historic legacy of global academic leadership.
Kataria also lauded the university’s focus on research and innovation. “More than 4,300 patents have been filed by CU faculty and students, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global innovation hub,” he said. He further credited initiatives like Start-up India and Digital India for fostering entrepreneurship among youth.
In his address, Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu emphasized Chandigarh University’s mission of identifying and supporting meritorious students through its expansive scholarship programs. “We believe in investing in talent—whether in academics, sports, research, or cultural fields. The students are the true drivers of our success as India’s number one private university,” he said.
The opening day of the summit also featured interactions with renowned motivational speakers, industry experts, and celebrities including IAS officer Sonal Goel, influencer Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast), singer and actress Khushboo Grewal, actor Binnu Dhillon, singer G Khan, and actress Kanika Maan. Additionally, over 30 achievers and 9 alumni engaged with students to share career insights.
Sandhu remarked that Chandigarh University has become a hub for nurturing excellence across all domains and is playing a significant role in reversing migration trends by providing high-quality education at home. “Our ethos is rooted in national progress and empowering the youth,” he added.