In a major boost to academia-industry collaboration in the power sector, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) and Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the “POWERGRID Centre of Excellence” on the PEC campus.
The state-of-the-art centre, being developed with an investment of ₹17.19 crore under POWERGRID’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aims to foster research, innovation, and skill development in cutting-edge domains such as numerical relays, inverters, cybersecurity, and e-mobility.
UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, who presided over the signing ceremony, lauded the partnership, calling it a significant step toward India’s energy transition goals. “This Centre of Excellence will not only enhance learning opportunities for students but also act as a catalyst for innovation in the power and energy sector. It aligns perfectly with the national vision of Viksit Bharat and our journey towards a net-zero emissions future,” he said.
He further noted that the facility will serve as a beacon of technological advancement, benefiting undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars with access to modern infrastructure and hands-on training.
The MoU was formally signed by Tarun Bajaj, Executive Director (Northern Region-II), POWERGRID, and Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director (ad-interim), PEC, in the presence of Ravinder Kumar Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID, and Prerna Puri, Secretary Education, UT Chandigarh.
The Centre is envisioned to bridge academic learning with real-world industry applications, preparing the next generation of engineers to tackle emerging challenges in the power sector while contributing to national development and sustainable growth.
