Guru Nanak varsity to open first offshore campus in US

Taking a step towards globalising Indian higher education, Guru Nanak Dev University has approved a proposal to establish its first offshore campus in California, USA. This was decided during the university syndicate’s meeting, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjeet Singh. The VC said the offshore campus proposal aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy, 2020.

Prof KS Chahal, Registrar, presented the agenda of the meeting today in the presence of Prof Palwinder Singh, Dean of Academic Affairs, and other officials.

The planned California campus will be as per the principles of Guru Nanak Dev—based on humility, service, equality and liberation through knowledge. According to VC Karamjeet, the new campus will not only provide quality education but also strengthen India’s economic, cultural and academic presence globally. It is expected to address the educational and cultural needs of the Punjabi diaspora and foster academic exchange with international students.

The VC said preparations for regulatory approvals were underway, and Prof Singh called upon the Punjabi community abroad to support the initiative. “If successful, the campus will serve as a model for producing world-class human capital,” he said.

For the 2025-26 academic session, Guru Nanak Dev University will introduce new multidisciplinary courses, including Basic First Aid and Emergency Care and revise eligibility for the Master of Vocational and Mental Health Counselling programme. Additionally, two new specialised Master of Arts programmes in Hindustani Music (Vocal and Instrumental) will replace the previous combined course, aiming for a more focused and quality-driven instruction.

The syndicate also accorded its approval to honour Jasvir Gill, CEO of Alert Enterprise Inc from California, America, with honoris causa doctorate Degree at the 50th Annual Convocation of the university in the faculty of Doctor of Engineering. In this convocation, as many as 54 university scholars will be awarded PhD degrees.

Amritsar