PDP University launched in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Oct 9: Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), a pioneer initiative of Gujarat Engery Research and Management Institute (GERMI), promoted by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), was formally launched by Chief Minister Narendra Modi here this evening.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Patel, Gujarat Chief Secretary Dr Manjula Subramaniam and others were present on the occasion.

The Gujarat government has granted 50 acres of land in the Education Zone at Raisan village. The University envisages a total investment of Rs 300 crores. Of this, about Rs 20 crore has already been contributed by GSPC. The remaining amount will be raised in the form of contributions from the industry. Several leading energy companies and corporate houses have expressed their willness to contribute for the development of the university.

The setting up of the PDPU has ushered in a revolution of sorts in higher education and promises to turn into a premier educational institution of international stature. The full-fledged energy university, located in Raisan village near the state capital Gandhinagar, is geared to address the talent crunch in the energy industry and to achieve energy independence for India.

Prof Arvind P Kudchadker, who has made oustanding contribution to academic innovation and excellence in India and USA, is the University advisor, the release said.

Positioned as a world-class university for the energy industry, PDPU will catalyse India's quest for energy independence by offering a wide range of programmes in renewable and non-renewable energies.

The University will also help India in emerging as a global hub for top-class human resources in the sector.

The University will change the face of Indian education in energy sector. A path-breaking initiative, it will take the energy industry professionals back to academics with a view to making significant teaching and research contribution and produce future managers to meet increasingly complete techno-managerial needs of energy sector. Anticipating crippling shortage of the talent in the energy sector, the Gujarat government has moved towards fulfilling the gap, the release said.

With a view to offer world-class education to the largest section of people through the real and virtual models, the University has started putting in place the various infrastructure. In this endeavour, the state government has granted 50 acres of land in the Education Zone at Raisan village.

The research-led teaching University will produce high-quality petroleum engineers, scientists, technologists and managers to cater to the industry's skill set demands in all areas of energy and petroluem, the release added.

UNI