Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, Feb. 6 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Derbyshire County Councillor Sardar Kewal Singh Athwal paid an official 
visit to Guru Nanak Dev University here today to establish international links between the Guru Nanak Dev University and Government of Great Britain in the field of Higher education, Tourism and Research. Kewal Athwal was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu along with other senior officials of the University.
While welcoming Sardar Atwal, Prof. Sandhu said ‘Today marks nothing less than the beginning of a new era of cooperation for India and UK. By teaming up, our university is creating a unique alliance and leading the way in shaping the future of Indo-Britain research partnership. This initiative will further cement our university’s position as one of the world’s premier locations for research and innovation”. He said meeting with Kewal Athwal for strong India-UK strategic partnership particularly in the field of Higher education, tourism research” will be fruitful.
Sardar Athwal said “This strategic research partnership between the University of Derby and Guru Nanak Dev University is a milestone with respect to international relations. We are delighted to be a co-founder of this exciting endeavour between two international institutes of cutting-edge scholarship. I am sure that this partnership will bring mutual benefits for all involved parties and across the entire range of academic disciplines. He said that we are happy to sign MoU with Guru Nanak Dev University. We look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with different departments of Guru Nanak Dev University, which is among the best universities in India with a high research focus and diverse academic programs. This is the beginning of a long-term collaboration, having students from Guru Nanak Dev University come to the UK and European students coming to India and launching of exciting professional development programmes. Discussions were held to launch dual degree programs for Master’s and doctoral students.” he added.
Sardar Athwal thanked Vice-Chancellor for the warm hospitality extended to him and applauded the efforts of University-Industry cell of the university. Both the officials also affirmed their vision of a forward-looking partnership between the UK and India that would play an indispensable role in creating economic growth and jobs. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build such an enhanced and transformative partnership for the betterment of both countries.
Sardar Kewal Singh Athwal was elected to Derbyshire County Council in May 2017 to represent the residents of the Sawley Division, he is currently the Chairman of the Audit Committee and is also a member of the Scrutiny Places Committee at DCC and a Director of Derbyshire Developments Ltd. Kewal has also been a Councillor at Erewash Borough Council since May 2000, representing the Wilsthorpe Ward residents. He is the Chairman of The Licensing and Public Protection Committee besides this he was also the Mayor of Erewash in the 2014 – 2015 Civic year. Athwal is the first Mayor from an ethnic minority group to hold the position. Born into a Sikh family in Punjab state near the city of Jalandhar in India, Athwal moved to Britain in 1961. His career has been mainly in two industries — motor trade and textiles.
Dr Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Coordinator University-Industry linkage Programme said ‘University is delighted that we have successfully established a strategic partnership with the University of Derby, one of the world’s most renowned universities. We can contribute our expertise here to this newly-formed strategic partnership and develop our existing contacts to the University of Derby in areas of mutual interest. I believe this will provide a new impetus for research in India.’
He said Guru Nanak Dev University will Sign MoU with Derbyshire County council and the University of Derby in the field of higher education and research. The MoU will cover the scope of interaction among members of faculty relating to joint research projects, visits for such purposes and when necessary, joint applications for research funding from external funding agencies, Dr Bedi said. The two institutions will also explore possibilities of collaborative Master’s programmes. It was also agreed that officials from both sides will hold further discussions to develop the early draft framework of Indo-UK education partnership.
Prof. Kamaljit Singh, Prof S S Behl, Prof. Balwinder Singh and other senior officials from the university were also present on this occasion.
