In a pivotal development poised to redefine the trajectory of technical education in the region, Sardar Beant Singh State Technical University (SBSSU), Gurdaspur, officially welcomed its new Vice-Chancellor, Dr. S.K. Mishra, on Monday, May 26, 2025. This significant appointment, approved by the Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the University, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, on the recommendation of the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Technical Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, signals a renewed commitment to elevating the university’s academic standing and enhancing its contribution to Punjab’s burgeoning industrial landscape.
Dr. S.K. Mishra brings a wealth of experience and an impressive academic pedigree to his new role. An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, Dr. Mishra previously served with distinction as the Registrar of I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) in Kapurthala. His extensive career, spanning over 25 years, encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities in academic administration, educational planning, financial management, and human resource development.
Before his tenure at IKGPTU, he held various significant positions at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jalandhar, including Dean, Head of the Centre for Executive Education, and Controller of Finance. His multi-faceted experience across different facets of higher education management, coupled with his strong academic background including an MBA and a Ph.D. in Management, positions him uniquely to steer SBSSU towards new horizons of excellence. He has also actively engaged in research, published numerous articles and books, and presented papers at national and international conferences, demonstrating a robust commitment to academic scholarship and innovation.
Sardar Beant Singh State Technical University, established in 1995 by the Government of Punjab, holds a crucial place in the technical education ecosystem of the border region. Named after the former Chief Minister of Punjab, the institution was founded with the vision of imparting quality technical education and fostering skilled manpower to meet the demands of the state’s industrial sector. Over the years, SBSSU has been instrumental in providing engineering and technology courses to thousands of students, contributing significantly to the human resource development of Gurdaspur and surrounding areas.
However, like many state technical universities, it faces its share of challenges, including securing higher accreditations, attracting top-tier faculty, enhancing research output, and ensuring robust industry linkages for student placements. For a period, the university was functioning without a permanent head, with the Vice-Chancellor of IKGPTU holding additional charge, which often hinders long-term strategic planning and decisive action. Dr. Mishra’s appointment as a dedicated, regular Vice-Chancellor is therefore a critical step towards providing stable leadership and a clear vision for the institution.
In his inaugural address to the university staff, including Heads of Departments and Deans, Dr. Mishra articulated an ambitious vision for SBSSU. He emphasized transforming the university into a “model institution of higher education in Punjab,” with aspirations to position it prominently at both national and international levels. A key target outlined by the new Vice-Chancellor is a dramatic expansion of the student strength, aiming to grow from the current approximately 3,000 students to 10,000 in the coming years. This growth is envisioned to be coupled with an expansion of academic offerings, with plans to introduce new programs in emerging fields such as pharmacy, law, and other interdisciplinary areas, diversifying beyond its traditional engineering focus.
To achieve this ambitious growth and academic upliftment, Dr. Mishra stressed the importance of fostering a dynamic environment of research, innovation, and startup initiatives. He urged faculty members to actively pursue state and central government-funded research projects and consultancy opportunities, recognizing that robust research is the bedrock of a leading technical institution. His emphasis on enhancing the employability of students through relevant curriculum, skill development, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset aligns directly with the state government’s agenda of youth empowerment and job creation.
A cornerstone of Dr. Mishra’s administrative approach will be the promotion of an “information technology based working environment” to encourage paperless operations and enhance administrative efficiency. This focus on digitalization is crucial for improving governance, streamlining processes, and ensuring greater transparency within the university’s operations. He also affirmed his commitment to operating strictly in accordance with university rules and regulations, signaling an emphasis on ethical governance and accountability.
Furthermore, he directed the Dean Academics to take proactive steps towards securing the University Grants Commission (UGC) 12(B) status and National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accreditation. These accreditations are vital for ensuring the university meets high academic and institutional standards, enabling it to access central government grants and enhancing the credibility of its degrees on a national and international stage, thereby boosting student prospects.
The appointment of a seasoned academic administrator like Dr. S.K. Mishra comes at a crucial juncture for technical education in Punjab. The state, striving for economic growth and industrial rejuvenation, relies heavily on its technical institutions to produce a highly skilled workforce. Universities like SBSSU are vital conduits for nurturing talent, driving innovation, and providing solutions to industry challenges. The new Vice-Chancellor’s focus on industry-academia collaboration, research, and expanding relevant academic programs is precisely what is needed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, ensuring that graduates are job-ready and contribute effectively to the economy.
Stakeholders, including the faculty, students, alumni, and the state government, harbor high expectations from Dr. Mishra’s leadership. Faculty members anticipate a supportive environment for research and professional development, while students look forward to an enhanced learning experience, improved campus facilities, and stronger placement opportunities. Alumni envision their alma mater gaining greater recognition and prestige, while the state government relies on the university to be a strong partner in its development agenda. Dr. Mishra’s dynamic leadership and progressive vision are widely anticipated to usher in a new era of academic excellence and institutional growth at Sardar Beant Singh State Technical University, solidifying its position as a beacon of technical education in Punjab.