Punjab’s Higher Education System Is Being Aligned With Jobs And Industries Of The Future: Harjot Singh Bains

Chandigarh: Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that Sardar Beant Singh State University, Gurdaspur, will roll out five new industry-aligned, skill-intensive courses from the academic session 2026-27. This will revamp technical and professional education in the state. The Education Minister shared that new courses include B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning, B.Tech in Robotics & AI, B.Pharmacy, B.Sc. Agriculture and five-year integrated programmes in MCA, MBA and M.Sc.

What did Harjot Singh Bains say?

Highlighting the Bhagwant Mann government's vision for higher education, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “The old model of theoretical, exam-centric learning is outdated. We are replacing it with hands-on training, lab immersion and real-world problem-solving. Sardar Beant Singh University will now become a launchpad for innovators, not just degree-holders.”

He added, “Every student will undergo mandatory semester-long internships and live projects. The goal is to ensure that when a student graduates, they are already industry-ready. This is not just a curriculum change. It is a revolution in how Punjab learns, earns and grows.”

How to curb brain drain?

Emphasising the need to curb brain drain, Harjot Singh Bains said, “This initiative is designed to reverse the state’s brain drain. Parents in Punjab should no longer feel forced to send their children outside for quality tech or pharma education. The Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is building future-ready universities right here.”