HPU secures Rs 10 cr grant to boost research
In a significant development for higher education and scientific research, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has been awarded a Rs 10 crore grant under the “Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research” (PAIR) programme of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India.
The PAIR initiative, aimed at fostering innovation and research in emerging institutions, supports a Hub-and-Spoke model, where top-tier research institutions mentor promising but less established universities. A maximum of Rs 100 crore can be allocated under this program, with funding distributed in a 30:70 ratio between hub and spoke institutions.
Prof SP Bansal, officiating Vice-Chancellor of HPU, said, “The PAIR programme is designed to uplift institutions where research is in its nascent stages but shows promise. By pairing such institutions with established hubs, the initiative seeks to bridge capability gaps and accelerate scientific advancement in a collaborative framework.”
Explaining the Hub-and-Spoke model, Prof Bansal noted that the approach works on a “pull-and-push” mechanism. “While the hub institution pulls together the potential and resources of the spokes, it simultaneously pushes advanced research practices into them, enabling rapid institutional growth. The model is expected to catalyse transformative, collaborative research and promote academic equity,” he said.
In the first phase of the PAIR program, IIT-Ropar has been designated as the hub institution and has selected seven spoke institutions, including HPU. The selected universities are expected to submit competitive proposals under specified thematic areas.
HPU submitted its proposal in January 2025 on the themes “Advanced Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion” and “Materials Engineering: Alloys and Composites”, in collaboration with IIT Ropar. The proposal was presented on March 6, 2025, at the Indian Academy of Sciences Association, Bengaluru, and successfully defended by Dr Ramesh Thakur and Dr Sandeep Chauhan from the Department of Chemistry, and Dr Manish Kumar from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, UIT.
Prof Bansal further revealed that a state-of-the-art instrumentation facility will be established under this project. “This will significantly enhance our research infrastructure, allowing for precise material characterisation, faster experimental processes, and high-quality publications in global journals,” he said.
Of the Rs 10 crore grant, Rs 6.5 crore will be used to procure sophisticated instruments, boosting the university’s capabilities in material sciences and allied fields.
Himachal Tribune