Derra Bassi, October 8
Thapar University president Gautam Thapar and chairman & CEO Avantha Group today laid the foundation stone of Thapar University’s Chandigarh campus here.

The university will offer graduate and postgraduate programmes in engineering, IT and management.

Speaking to the Tribune, Thapar said: “Thapar University has been imparting world class technical education over five decades. Academic programmes at the new campus will empower students to become managers who are well equipped with knowledge to face the challenges of the corporate world or IT professionals and engineers proficient enough to create value out of the techno-economic intricacies and complexities of the 21st century.”

When quizzed about his investment plans in Punjab, Thapar said land is a big issue in Punjab as the Punjab Government’s land policy is not industry-friendly. He said, “First of all, you have to attract component manufacturing, then there will be industry 10 years down the line.”

“My preference is Punjab, but the Punjab Government should work on the land policy.” It is learnt that Thapars are investing about Rs 100 crore on this project. He added that not only the students, but residents of this area will also get employment opportunities. On fee structure, he said: “We have exactly the same fee structure as at Patiala campus.”