CityweliveHighlighting education as the foundation of national progress, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria emphasized the critical role of teacher preparation in shaping the country’s future. Addressing a distinguished gathering of academic leaders at Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, the Governor urged institutions throughout Punjab to implement innovative models of teacher training aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP).
The conference convened Vice-Chancellors, institutional heads, top bureaucrats, and decision-makers from government, private, and independent educational bodies across the state. A primary theme of the event was the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP)—a four-year comprehensive degree initiative introduced under NEP 2020. This program is designed to replace the conventional post-graduate B.Ed. courses with a unified curriculum commencing post-secondary school.
“By providing teachers with rigorous and professional instruction, we can cultivate a generation of competent and conscientious citizens,” Kataria noted. He emphasized that while physical infrastructure is vital, the cornerstone of quality education lies in the continuous development of educators. “Enhancing facilities is important, but our true investment must focus on empowering teachers,” he added.
The Governor commended the Punjab Government and academic institutions that have already embraced the NEP framework. Multiple universities have started implementing the ITEP structure. “Punjab is already delivering quality education. With sustained innovation and commitment, it has the potential to lead the nation in the education domain,” he remarked.
LPU, as the host, received widespread appreciation for championing accessible and impactful education. Acknowledging one of its flagship efforts, Kataria praised LPU’s initiative of offering full tuition scholarships to over 22 lakh defence and paramilitary personnel, describing it as a “game-changing measure for empowerment and national progress.”
The event also became a forum to deliberate on broader academic and social concerns. Addressing the ongoing issue of drug abuse in the state, the Governor called upon educational institutions to take a proactive stance. “We must unite—educators, learners, and families—to transform ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ into a collective movement. Awareness and education are our strongest instruments. I firmly believe that through persistent action, we can achieve a drug-free Punjab within the next five years,” he stated.
Distinguished attendees at the summit included Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament and Founding Chancellor of LPU; Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Arora, Chairperson of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE); Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor of LPU; Dr. Rashmi Mittal, Pro-Chancellor of LPU; and former Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal.
Dr. Mittal expressed appreciation for the Governor’s insightful participation, affirming LPU’s unwavering commitment to scholastic excellence and social impact. “We are privileged to host this significant discourse on higher education. LPU will persist in pursuing innovation-led progress and community upliftment,” he concluded.
