Industry-ready and skill-based education in India has for long remained an unfulfilled aspiration, but in the past few years meaningful efforts at various levels have begun to generate hope that it might finally be becoming a reality.
Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab, a nearly five-years old private self-funded university near Rupnagar, has emerged as one such beacon of light, where various syllabi are designed by the multinational IBM and partially taught by outsourced subject matter experts (SMEs) from industry giants like IBM, L&T Edutech, Ansys & many more.
With industry partnerships integrated into all its programmes, including engineering, management, commerce, hotel management, and other disciplines, the university recently received a further boost with the signing of an MoU with the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BoAT), Northern Region, Kanpur, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for the implementation of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP).
Hailed as a gamechanger, the MoU will ensure that students get a dual degree with apprenticeship which is government approved. The students will also earn as part of the apprenticeship, while they learn and grow.
University Vice Chancellor Dr AS Chawla told your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com that the MoU exchanged between Mr Vivek Kumar, Director, Board of Apprenticeship Training (BoAT), NR, Kanpur, and university Registrar Prof. BS Satyal, during an Industry-Academia-HR Meet at Chandigarh Monday evening (April 20, 2026) primarily covers the implementation of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), including industry tie ups, structured on-the-job training, stipend-based apprenticeships, and alignment of curriculum with industry requirements.
In real terms, it will help the university by strengthening industry integration, improve student employability, enhance placement outcomes, and position the institution as a provider of industry-ready, skill-based education, he added.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced among others by Mr. Nirmal Singh Rayat, Chancellor, Lamrin Tech Skills University.
Ideally located in the foothills of Shivalik ranges, and on Satluj riverbank near Rupnagar, on land 80 acres and a building of which have been donated by a UK-based NRI, Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab offers 70+ undergraduate and post graduate programmes in streams like engineering, business administration, computer application, commerce, hotel management & catering technology, pharma, lab tech, imaging tech, OT & anaesthesia tech, physiotherapy, Arts, physical education and sports, etc.
Along with these the university also admits students for short term diploma and certificate courses in skill development.
The university is also implementing central government skilling and reskilling projects like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and PM Vishwakarma Scheme for empowering traditional artisans with modern skills.
PMKVY 4.0 is the flagship skill development initiative by the Government of India, aimed at equipping the youth with industry-relevant training and certifications. Implemented under the guidance of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the scheme is designed to enhance employability, productivity, and prepare young professionals for emerging job markets.
Under PMKVY 4.0, Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU) is offering fully funded skill training programmes aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). These programmes are free for eligible trainees and focus on both regular skill training and emerging future skills, particularly in domains aligned with Industry 4.0.
PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to empower and uplift traditional artisans and craftspeople across the country. The scheme is designed to provide them with skill upgradation, modern tools, and better market access so they can enhance the quality and value of their services.
Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU) conducts skill training in key trades including carpentry, barber trade, tailoring, masonry, doll & toy making, hammer & toolkit operations, etc.
Objectives of PM Vishwakarma Scheme
- To recognize and support artisans and craftspeople as Vishwakarma, making them eligible to avail all the benefits under the Scheme
- To provide formal training and certification to enhance productivity and service quality.
- To facilitate access to modern tools, financial support, and market linkages.
Excerpts from an interview with Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab Vice Chancellor Dr AS Chawla
Q. How many batches have passed out? Roughly how many students?
A. The first batch is to pass out in 2027. However, students enrolled in the 2022-23 session are already undergoing internships.
Q. What is the current strength of the university?
A. 4500 students
Q. Offering so many undergraduate, post-graduate, diploma and certificate courses, also being part of PMKVY 4.0 & PM Vishwakarma Scheme, how difficult has it been to attract enough expert faculty?
A. Attracting qualified faculty continues to be a challenge; however, a well-balanced approach is maintained through a combination of permanent staff and outsourced subject matter experts (SMEs).
Q. What do we mean when we say incubated by IBM as an industry partner?
A. Syllabus is designed by IBM and partially taught by SMEs of IBM.
Q. In which all courses do we have an industry partner?
A. Industry partnerships are integrated across all programmes of the university, including Engineering, Management, Commerce, Hotel Management, and other disciplines
Q. What have been the outcomes so far?
A. The outcomes so far have been very encouraging. Students receive hands-on practical training aligned with industry requirements, making their learning highly relevant. They also gain up to one year of industry experience by the time they complete their degree
Q. What are the biggest challenges, including onboarding the industry?
A. The key challenges include aligning academic programmes with evolving industry needs and onboarding the right partners. However, these have been addressed effectively through strong collaboration. The University has successfully partnered with industries for internships, live projects, industry-led sessions, and apprenticeship programmes, ensuring valuable practical exposure and enhanced employability for students.
For more details about Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab, visit https://ltsu.ac.in/
A few months into its journey the Chhota Banaras management invited your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com to review the outlet in Sector 8 Madhya Marg where big names like Gopal’s and Sindhi Sweets are already deeply entrenched.
Apart from the popular street foods like Chhana Tawa Bhatura, Chana Kulcha, Aloo Puri, Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, Batata Vada, Kachori with Aloo Sabzi and Papdi Chaat, Chhota Banaras serves a wide variety of South Indian Specials, including varieties in Ragi, teatime cakes and cookies, hot and cold beverages, home-made ice creams, freshly baked breads, and a complete range of sweets and desserts.
Later interacting with LifeInChandigarh.com, Chef Umesh, who hails from Bihar, shared that “Chhota Banaras is built around the idea that Banaras is not merely a place, but a lived experience. It represents a slower, more mindful way of living where food is prepared with patience and authenticity, and traditions are practiced daily rather than preserved as nostalgia.”
The beverage selection complements the food with nostalgic Indian favourites such as Gulkand Shake, sweet Lassi, Badam Milk and Nimbu Pani along with a fermented option – Mint Kombucha.
“In all other cities we have a sweets shop and bakery. Why we are calling the Panchkula facility as our flagship is because we have added a full-fledged large format vegetarian restaurant for the first time anywhere. Henceforth we have plans to carry forward this restaurant format as we expand in the tricity to Chandigarh, Mohali and beyond.”
On the issue of competition from rivals, Juneja, who was accompanied by his wife Rita Juneja and another director in the company Vinay Sood, said “We are not here to compete with anyone. We have faith in God and our work – the variety and quality of our products, their taste, our facilities and our service.”
Janta Premium, spread over 6000 square feet (ground & basement), has on offer 150+ items in its multi-cuisine dining and more than 300 items in its sweets and bakery sections.
Gujiya (Plain), Gulaab Anjeer Gujiya, Pan Gujia, Long Latta Gujiya, Cranberry Gujiya, Shahi Badam Gujiya, Strawberry Gujiya, Gud Saunf Gujiya, Kaju Gujiya, Mango Gujiya, Coconut Gujiya, Chocolate Gujiya, Khajur Gujiya, Baked Gujiya, Baked Dark Chocolate Gujiya, Chandrakala, Pineapple Gujiya, Samosa Gujiya, Baked White Chocolate Gujiya, Kesar Gujiya, Dry Fruit Gujiya and ‘Fiber24’ sugar free Gujiya.
Having already had a great experience of visiting Back to Source in Sector 17 over the years, your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, on an invitation from the Aggarwals, recently visited their Café Well-Being in Sector 22-C Chandigarh, which is located diagonally opposite and across the road from Hotel JW Marriott.
“Refined oils and over-processing have distorted our understanding of food. We use cold-pressed oils, ‘desi khaand’ instead of refined sugar and single-source cow and buffalo milk across our kitchens,” shared Munish, who has a knack for thinking up something new each time he enters the kitchen, as Puja put it.
She showcased some fermented recipes using cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower among other vegetables, crafted by her using lactic acid fermentation, alongside naturally fermented and probiotic-rich beverages like
Fresh salad with a mix of fermented cabbage and carrot, and Nachos with fermented salsas are another attraction.
As in all their cafes, the décor and furniture at Café Well-Being, Sector 22 are minimalistic and sustainable. Here even the walls are painted with natural lime.
Well-stocked merchandise shelves vend a wide range of cookies, biscuits, biscotti, dry snacks, breads, pickles, fermented drinks, cakes, gir & desi cow ghee and cold-pressed oils.
A glimpse of specials on Café Well-Being-Sector 22 Menu
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