University teaching departments should develop both short- and long-term institutional plans to strengthen capacity building, skill development, knowledge expansion and the holistic growth of students, Prof Milap Punia, Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), said
on Wednesday.
Punia was visiting the Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management (IHTM) and the university’s departments of Education and Public Administration. During the visit, he met faculty members and research scholars to discuss priorities for the coming academic year.
Looking ahead to the 2026–27 academic session, the Vice-Chancellor called for a renewed focus on academics and research aimed at student development. He urged departments to organise workshops to enhance employability, provide dedicated mentoring and specialised training for research scholars to strengthen critical thinking and research capabilities, and promote practical fieldwork exposing students to real-world socio-economic issues suitable for meaningful research projects.
Addressing IHTM faculty members, Punia encouraged greater research and programme development in rural tourism and spiritual tourism, as well as initiatives to promote regional culture and cuisine.
