POWERGRID Inks an MoU with PEC, Chandigarh

From PEC on Friday 6th June 2025 at 7:07 PM Regarding MoU between PEC and PowerGrid

MoU for Establishment of POWERGRID Centre of Excellence at PEC under CSR

Chandigarh: 06th June 2025: (Media Link Ravinder//Education Screen Desk)::

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) signed an MoU on 06th June, 2025 with Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, for establishing "POWERGRID Centre of Excellence" at PEC under CSR.

Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of POWERGRID, an MoU was signed, in a gracious event, by Shri Tarun Bajaj, Executive Director (Northern Region-II) on behalf of POWERGRID and Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director (ad-interim) on behalf of PEC, Chandigarh in the august presence of Sh. Rajeev Verma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh - UT, Shri R. K.Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID and Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary Education, Chandigarh Administration - UT. Senior officers from POWERGRID including Sh. Vikram Singh Bhal, Executive Director CMG- Coordination, Sh. Jasbir Singh, Executive Director (CSR), Sh. Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director Technical Education, Chandigarh Administration - UT, Deans, HoDs & Senior faculty members of PEC and officials from technical education, Chandigarh were also present during the signing ceremony.

Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh sought support from POWERGRID for the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility to provide cutting-edge resources for its students, offering them the opportunity to engage in advanced training with hands-on practice in the evolving & industry driven area of Power and Energy Engineering. POWERGRID, as a responsible Corporate Citizen accepted the request and is rendering its helping hand in establishing the "POWERGRID Centre of Excellence" (COE) at PEC.

Being established at an estimated financial implication of 17,19,26,000/- (Rupees Seven- teen Crore Nineteen Lakh and Twenty-Six Thousand Only), the centre envisages to open new avenues for students learning. It will help Research Scholars and Faculty to strengthen research in the Power and Energy sector. This facility will focus on strengthening the course curriculum of Electrical Engineering disciples at PEC. The proposed facility is intended to enhance the laboratory set up in thrust areas like numerical relays, Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), inverters, cyber security, e-mobility, controller's laboratory etc. set for real-time simulation for demonstration & training.

On this occasion Director PEC Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia expressed his gratitude towards POWERGRID for taking up this CSR initiative for providing this infrastructure in their Institute which is bound to benefit the students and researchers in the field of electrical engineering.

Guest of Honor, CMD POWERGRID Sh. R.K. Tyagi shared his nostalgic feelings towards his alma-mater PEC. He emphasised on One Grid, One Nation, One frequency, from one corner of the country to another corner of the country with synchronised grids. He said "Under part of CSR, this center of excellence is a small token from our side."   

Chief Guest, Sh. Rajeev Verma (IAS), Chief Secretary, praised this gesture of POWERGRID and PEC to empower individuals to transform the sectors. The establishment of this Centre of Excellence would be a beacon of advanced research and innovation. it will buffer the state of art facilities for UG, PG and PhD Students. it would boost power and energy sectors towards India's Initiative of Viksit Bharat, Energy Security and next zero emission nation. 

POWER GRID CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED (POWERGRID) is a Maharatna Enterprise under Ministry of Power having its regional headquarters of Northern Region-Il at Jammu. POWERGRID is engaged in inter-state bulk power transmission. POWERGRID has 180,239 ckm of transmission lines, 283 Sub-stations and more than 564,961 MVA of transformation capacity. With the adoption of latest technological tools and techniques, enhanced use of automation and digital solutions, POWERGRID has been able to maintain average transmission system availability >99%. POWERGRID performance has been consistently Excellent by achieving very difficult measurable parameters which are set in MoU signed with the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India.

POWERGRID, Northern Region-II with headquarters in Jammu is having its Transmission System spread over in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, parts of Haryana and UT of Chandigarh, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Celebrating Tradition, Innovation, and Unity:

Friday 8th November 2024 at 9:52 PM  Communication, Information & Media Cell (CIM) Clubs

PECFEST-2024 Inaugurated with Grand Ceremony and Inspiration 

Chandigarh: 08th November, 2024:(Media Link//Education Screen Desk)::

The Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh campus came alive today as PECFEST 2024, the annual techno-cultural fest, was inaugurated with a theme of “Retrograde Rebellion,” symbolizing a unique fusion of heritage and modernity. The event was marked by high energy and enthusiasm from students, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests, making it a memorable celebration of PEC’s legacy and vibrant community.

The inauguration ceremony began at 12:00 PM with a warm welcome to all attendees. The event started with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony symbolizing hope and the beginning of a journey filled with cultural and technological exploration.

In his inaugural address, Prof. D.R. Prajapati, Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), extended a heartfelt invitation to all, emphasizing the importance of PECFEST as a platform for creativity, innovation, and camaraderie.

The audience was then treated to a PECFEST introductory video, followed by an inspiring speech by the Director of PEC, Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia. He expressed gratitude to Sh. Anirudh, IRS (Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax) and Air Commodore Rajeev Srivastava for gracing the occasion. Prof. Bhatia spoke about PEC’s remarkable legacy, its upcoming 104th Foundation Day tomorrow, and the role of PECFEST in embodying the spirit of innovation and cultural celebration. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of the organizers, sponsors, and the DSA in making PECFEST a grand success.

A documentary showcasing the glorious history of PEC was then presented, reflecting the college’s contributions and milestones in shaping the future of engineering education.

Air Commodore Rajeev Srivastava addressed the audience, sharing his admiration for PEC’s longstanding commitment to fostering leadership and excellence. This was followed by an inspiring address by Sh. Anirudh, who encouraged students to cherish their time at PEC and make the most of the opportunities it provides.

The inauguration concluded with a vibrant cultural program that showcased the talents of PEC students, blending traditional and contemporary performances in alignment with the “Retrograde Rebellion” theme.

PECFEST 2024 promises three exhilarating days of activities, featuring a variety of tech and cultural events. Highlights include the Defense Expo, where cutting-edge military technology will be on display, providing a unique learning experience for students and visitors alike.

As PECFEST 2024 unfolds, it invites all to celebrate PEC’s rich history while looking forward to a future of innovation and inclusivity.

For more details on the events and participation, please visit the official PECFEST website or contact the PECFEST organizing committee.

New initiative to refresh the memories of Jaspal Bhatti

Monday12th August 2024 at 4:30 PM

His statue will be unveiled on 14 August, 2024

Chandigarh: 12 August, 2024: (KK Singh//Education Screen Desk)::

There was an era of Janaab Jaspal Bhatti Sahib. That era never returned after his departure. His laughter was not just a joke. It was not just a joke either. He did not hurt anyone by making fun of them but he brought out the evils that had entered the society in such a way that big scandals like scams were exposed in a laugh. The person listening or watching his presentation did not just laugh but was forced to think something very seriously. Only Jaspal Bhatti Sahib knew how to make his viewers and listeners think about the reasons for the sad condition of the society without saying anything bitter or without speaking any harsh words. This was his great quality.

Perhaps his hidden motive was to awaken a thought, not worry about reality. He used to awaken consciousness in bursts of laughter. He would not talk of sorrow, nor cry, nor discuss any grief, but would very gracefully expose the reasons that cause pain to society. His candid style was visible even when he used to draw cartoons in a famous English newspaper long ago. People used to wait for the newspaper every day to see the message of his cartoon.

The management of PEC i.e. Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University) has taken the initiative to refresh his memories.

Punjab Engineering College Old Students Association (PECOSA) of the renowned Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh is going to organize a special inaugural ceremony of the Bust of Padma Bhushan Awardee Shri Jaspal Bhatti on 14th August, 2024 from 4:00 PM onwards, outside the PEC Auditorium to remember, honour and celebrate the esteemed Engineer, alumni of Electrical Engineering batch of 1978, legendary Indian Television Personality. 

The honorable Director, PEC, Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar Bhatia would graced this auspicious ceremony as chief guest, along with Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kanda (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) shall be the Guest of Honour on this occasion. This whole event is organized by Er. Teekam Chandar Bali (President, PECOSA) and Er. H.S. Oberoi (Gen. Secretary, PECOSA). This evening would be fully dedicated to our esteemed alumnus Er. Jaspal Bhatti and his life. 

This much awaited event would be graced by his friends, other alumni, faculty members and current batch of Students. 

5 day long FDP organized by EIC, PEC

 Friday 5th July 2024 at 4:23 PM

 It was held in collaboration with NITTTR

Event ended with high grace and historical moments

Chandigarh: 05th July 2024: (The Education Screen Desk)::

The Entrepreneurship and Incubation Cell (EIC) of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh organized AICTE approved Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Design Thinking and Innovation Management in Startups in collaboration with National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh from 1st July to 5th July, 2024. Today, the Valedictory Ceremony of the 5-day long FDP was graced by esteemed Senior Faculty Member Prof. Uma Batra, as Acting Director of the Institute, Prof. Arun Kumar Singh (Head, SRIC), Dr. Rajesh Kanda (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations), Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia (Coordinator, NITTTER), Dr. Simranjit Singh (Convener, PEC) and Dr. Sudesh Rani (Coordinator, PEC). 

The convener of the FDP, Dr. Simranjit Singh briefed about the session and shed light on the valuable knowledge gained in this 5-day long FDP. He also expressed his gratitude towards the esteemed delegates and all the participants. He emphasis on the fact that these FDPs would definitely came up many startups by the end of this year. He also shared insights on the working and activities performed by EIC, PEC. 

Coordinator for this FDP, from NITTTR, Chandigarh, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, expressed his deepest regard towards all the esteemed dignitaries and coordinators of the FDP. He also shed light on all the sessions and gave useful insights gained from various speakers through out the week. He also shared the knowledgeable takeaways from visit of TBYF, at IIT Ropar. He provided his valuable insights on the Intellectual Property Rights in the field of Startups.  

Prof. Arun Kumar Singh (Head, SRIC), talked about the mindset for initiating startups. He also shared the various funding schemes and organizations to promote our students for startups and convert them from job seekers to job provider. 

Dr. Rajesh Kanda, (Head, Alumni, Corporate and International Relations) gave his valuable insights to initiate startup programs for the students in the coursework. He also expressed his urge to cooperate in any of kind work from the Alumni Office of the institute. 

Prof. Uma Batra, expressed her deepest regard for being a part of valedictory session. She also applauded the organizers and participants of this FDP. She shed on the importance of bringing the innovative experiments from the labs to the market-oriented industry. To bring out that gap between academia and industry, it is necessary to analysis the usage of our innovations in the real-world. We should look at the problems of industry as well to solve them out through our technologies up to an extent. She also emphasized on the Intellectual Property Rights, on building a supply chain, manufacturing of the product, cost of the product, and advertisement cost as well. Lastly, she remarked on the thought of starting from the scratch. 

   

This 5 day FDP had provided the participant with deep thinking in designing and Innovation Management of startups. It had given specific insights in modern technological skills for Innovative Products. 

The main Resource Persons of this 5-day FDP were inclusive of Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, Mr. Hitesh Gulati, Prof. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, Prof. MD Singh from Thapar University, Ms. Indu Aggarwal, Dr. Deepak Jain, Dr. Niraj Bala etc. would provide insight on the team building, corporative leadership, Women's Entrepreneurial Perspective, Innovative Management, knowledge of Incubators etc. 

The main patron of this FDP was Director, PEC Prof. Rajesh Bhatia (Ad Interim), along with Director, NITTTR, Prof. Bhola Ram Gurjar. Dr. Simranjit Singh, (Convener PEC), along with Dr. Harsh Vardhan Samalia, (Coordinator, NITTER), were the main coordinators for the whole FDP. The organizing team included Dr. Sudesh Rani, Dr. Jaskirat Kaur, (Coordinators, PEC), Dr. Nidhi Tanwar (CMH, Faculty), Dr. Ajay Kumar (EED, Faculty), Dr. Jasvinder Singh (PIED, Faculty) conducted the whole workshop very brilliantly. Along with these insightful sessions, there was also a one day visit to TBIF, IIT Ropar as well. 

Dr. Sudesh Rani (Coordinator, PEC) provided a vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and participants for successful conductance of this FDP. 

The batch of 1988 of PEC Chandigarh donated 2 E-Vehicles

Saturday10th February 2024 at 9:08 PM

Keys of both Vehicles were handed over to the Director Setia

Chandigarh: 10th February 2024: (Sheeba Singh//Education Screen)::

The batch of 1988 of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh donated 2 E-Vehicles (1 E-Scooter and 1 E-Cart) to the institute today on 10th February, 2024 in the presence of  Honorable Director of PEC, Prof. (Dr.) Baldev Setia along with Dr. Sushant Samir (batch 88'), Chairman Estate and Dr. Rajesh Kanda (batch 91'), Head of Alumni and Corporate Relations. 

This batch consists of 62 Graduates who passed out in 1988 from the institute. In order to exchange the heartfelt gratitude and nostalgia towards their alma mater, they donated this small piece of love. 

They said that it would smoothen and strengthen the relationship between the alumni and the alma mater. Another batch mate said that they decided to contribute 5000/- Rs. per person, to make it more inclusive and nurturing the feeling of belongingness. 

Director, Prof. (Dr.) Baldev Setia expressed his gratitude to all the batchmates of 1988. He especially thanked Dr. Sushant Samir, for his dedicated services for the institute, while being an integral part of it. He also called him 'Man Fridaý'. He appreciated the long thought of the alumni to provide something in kind, rather than in cash. 

Afterwards, the keys of both the E-Vehicles were handed over to the Honorable Director, Prof. (Dr.) Baldev Setia along with Dr. Sushant Samir and Dr. Rajesh Kanda. 

Knowledge session organized by PEC

Wednesday  31st January 2024 at 3:26 PM

Dr. Saket Chattopadhyay explained on Translational Research and Entrepreneurship

Chandigarh: 30th January 2024: (Sheeba Singh//Education Screen)::

The Electronics and Communication Engineering Department of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh today organized a knowledge session on 31.01.2024 “Translational Research and Entrepreneurship” by Dr. Saket Chattopadhyay, Senior Manager of Business Development, Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi. Dr. Saket Chattopadhyay holds 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker.

Dr. Saket Chattopadhyay, during the session focused on nurturing and promoting the development of innovative ideas addressing significant challenges, motivating innovators to develop technologies impacting sectors such as Pharma, medical devices, healthcare, diagnostics, Industrial Biotech, Agriculture, and the environment. The session’s focus was on BIRAC's Biotechnology ignition grant (BIG), which provides financial support of INR 50 Lakhs to students, faculty, startups, and entrepreneurs to work on their innovative ideas with a commercialization potential.

The session progressed with a Q & A and interactions with the present members. The session was attended by faculty members, research scholars, incubated startups and students of PEC.

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Tim Guleri alumnus contributed Rs. 1,02,00,000/- to PEC

19th December 2023 at 3:14 PM

Tim Guleri, joined virtually through MoU signing ceremony

Chandigarh: 19th December 2023: (KK Singh//Education Screen)::

In an unprecedented move indicative of the changing times, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and its esteemed alumnus Mr. Tim Guleri, joined forces virtually through an online Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony conducted over Zoom on 19/12/2023 at 11:00 AM IST. Dr. Baldev Setia, the Director of PEC, officially inked the agreement on behalf of the institution. The online ceremony marked a historic moment as both parties embraced technology to solidify their commitment to collaboration in the fields of education, research, and innovation.

As part of the MoU, Tim Guleri, Managing Partner at Sierra Ventures, USA, has made a generous financial contribution of Rs. 1,02,00,000 to Punjab Engineering College. This significant contribution will fund scholarships for eight economically weaker yet academically brilliant students, further emphasizing the commitment to fostering education and inclusivity.

Dr. Baldev Setia, Director of Punjab Engineering College, expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for Tim Guleri's philanthropic gesture, stating, "We are deeply appreciative of Mr. Guleri's commitment to supporting the educational aspirations of our students. This contribution will make a significant impact on the lives of eight deserving students, allowing them to focus on their studies and achieve academic excellence."

Tim Guleri, an alumnus of the Class of 1986 in Electrical Engineering at PEC, remarked, "Signing the MoU virtually brings back memories of my time at Punjab Engineering College. "Education has the power to transform lives, and I am honored to contribute to the education of promising students at Punjab Engineering College. These scholarships are an investment in the future, and I believe that by supporting talented individuals, we can unlock their full potential and contribute to the development of our society."

Since 2001, Tim Guleri, as Sierra Ventures' Managing Director, led successful ventures, emphasizing Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Triumphant public offerings like Sourcefire ($FIRE) and MakeMyTrip ($MMYT) underscore his deep understanding of emerging technologies. With a notable track record, founding Scopus Technology (IPO in 1995) and leading Octane Software (M&A – Epiphany $3.2 billion), Mr. Guleri has been pivotal in shaping the industry.

The scholarship program is expected to commence from the upcoming academic year, and the selection process for eligible candidates will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner. The scholarships will cover tuition fees to ensure that the recipients can fully focus on their education without financial constraints.

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Global Speakers participated during AICTA-2023 at PEC

18th December 2023 at 5:26 PM

Dr. Brij Bhushan Gupta (Taiwan) explained many aspects of AI

D. Priyanka Chaurasia (UK) briefed the women connection too

Chandigarh: 18th December 2023:(K K Singh//Education Screen )::

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Punjab Engineering College, (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, today inaugurated the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Computing Technologies, Internet of Things, and Data Analytics (AICTA-2023). The inauguration ceremony was graced by our worthy Chief Guests, Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Singh, IIT-BHU; Prof. (Dr.) Brij Bhushan Gupta, Asia University, Taiwan; D. Priyanka Chaurasia, Ulster University, UK. Our worthy Director, Prof. (Dr.) Baldev Setia, graced the occasion with his auspicious presence, along with Organizing Chair Dr. Poonam Saini, and Organizing Secretary, Dr. Manish Kumar. This conference is organized in technical co-sponsorship with the International Center for AI and Cyber Security Research and Innovations, Asia University, Taiwan. Event started out with lamp lighting, the Conference Souvenir was also released at that time. 

The Organizing Chair and Associate Professor, Dr. Poonam Saini, said that out of 290 papers submitted to the conference platform by scholars from across India and internationally, 65 have passed the quality check by the reviewers and have been accepted for publication by Springer in their prestigious “Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (LNNS)” series. She thanked all the delegates and speakers of the conference for making AICTA-2023 worthwhile. 

Dr. Manish Kumar, Organizing Secretary, briefed about the conference. He states that its a platform for academia and industry to come together. Day one focuses on a pre-workshop themed ''Women in Computing'' chaired by Dr. Priyanka Chaurasia, Ulster University, UK. The next two days will strive to promote the sharing of innovative ideas through paper presentations in three parallel tracks, namely Data Science, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence.

Furthermore, Dr. Tirlok Chand, HOD, CSE; felt honoured for holding AICTA-2023. He thanked the organizing team, delegates, keynote speakers and especially Director Prof. Baldev Setia for making this conference an intellectual stimulating experience and contributing to the future growth of PEC. 

Chief Guest, Prof. S.K. Singh shared some hypothetical examples to observe the usage of IOTs, Data Analysis and AI in day to day life. He also states that you have to be Smart and Intellectual to handle smart devices. Don't allow these devices to handle you. Lastly, he wished the organizing team for a Successful 3 day AICTA-2023. 

Prof. Baldev Setia, Director Punjab Engineering College, congratulated the department and mentioned that Computer Science and Engineering of the Institute has always attracted the best engineering aspirants and has been a forerunner in promoting and adopting technological changes. He said that, 'this conference is a shot in the arm for this department. He also briefed about the glorious history of PEC. He said that we are working with the National Agenda of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. This conference will help in dealing with the issues we have in this country, and all over world, he concluded lastly.  

Prof. (Dr.) Brij B Gupta, from Asia University, Taiwan is technical Co-sponsor in this conference. He is Director, AI and Cyber Security Center in Taiwan. Today, he announced that AI and Cyber Security Center in Taiwan will assist student’s internship, faculty exchange program and conduct workshops in cutting edge technologies in collaboration with PEC. 

PEC: 3 Day AICTA Conference from 18th to 20th December

17th December 2023 at 12:05 PM

International Event on Artificial Intelligence will disclose new horizon 

Chandigarh: 3rd December 2023: (KK Singh//Education Screen Desk)::

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, proudly announces the highly anticipated International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Computing Technologies, Internet of Things, and Data Analytics (AICTA), scheduled from December 18-20, 2023. This conference is organized in technical co-sponsorship with the International Center for AI and Cyber Security Research and Innovations, Asia University, Taiwan.

The Organizing Chair and Associate Professor, Dr. Poonam Saini, have stated that AICTA 2023 aims to provide a stimulating platform for deliberations on strategies, recent trends, and innovative approaches in different domains of Computer Science and Engineering, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, cloud computing, networking, and data analytics. The conference seeks to bring diverse academicians, scientists, and students together to share and disseminate knowledge and scientific research works, fostering discussions on the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted.

Dr. Manish Kumar, Organizing Secretary, added that day one focuses on a pre-workshop themed ''Women in Computing'', intending to provide a congregation platform for women researchers to present their articles in a special session chaired by Dr. Priyanka Chaurasia from Ulster University, UK. The next two days will strive to promote the sharing of innovative ideas through paper presentations in three parallel tracks, namely Data Science, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence. Keynote talks from academia by Prof. S.K Singh from IIT-BHU, Prof. Brij B. Gupta from Asia University Taiwan, Thomas Coughlin, IEEE President from the USA, Prof. Kim-Fung Tsang from City University of Hong Kong, Prof. Francesco Palmieri from the University of Salerno, Italy, and Prof. Michael Sheng from Macquarie University, Australia, will be held. Furthermore, experts from Google and Airbus will engage the participants on current technologies and industry trends.

Student Coordinators, Jatin Chugh and Bharat from the final year CSE, have shared that out of 290 papers submitted to the conference platform by scholars from across India and internationally, 65 have passed the quality check by the reviewers and have been accepted for publication by Springer in their prestigious “Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (LNNS)” series. 

HOD CSE, Prof. Trilok Chand, highlighted the importance of arranging such technology-driven events to enhance collaboration amongst researchers from various engineering institutes. 

Prof. Baldev Setia, Director Punjab Engineering College, congratulated the department and mentioned that Computer Science and Engineering of the Institute has always attracted the best engineering aspirants and has been a forerunner in promoting and adopting technological changes. He informed that the department has started two new undergraduate programs in the field of Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, and both programs have been very well received. This conference shall serve as a platform for strengthening our relationships in knowledge sharing while simultaneously providing the necessary thrust in joint research collaborations, he concluded lastly.