PunjabENews

Category: Edu / Immi

  • LPU cancels academic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan amid Indo-Pak tensions

    LPU cancels academic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan amid Indo-Pak tensions

    Jalandhar: Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab has terminated all academic agreements with Turkey and Azerbaijan in response to recent geopolitical developments involving India and Pakistan.

    Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terrorist bases across the border.

    The operation triggered retaliatory drone attacks by Pakistan, escalating tensions between the two nations. Amid this conflict, Turkey and Azerbaijan extended their support to Pakistan, with Turkey reportedly supplying drone bombs.

    In protest, India has begun distancing itself diplomatically and economically from both countries. As part of this wider national response, LPU has become the first Indian university to sever all academic partnerships with Turkish and Azerbaijani institutions.

    The university announced the termination of six academic collaborations, which include exchange programmes for students and faculty, joint research projects, dual-degree initiatives, and participation in international academic forums. Consequently, students from Turkey and Azerbaijan will no longer be eligible for admission to LPU.

    University officials said the decision was taken in the national interest, aiming to send a strong message amid rising tensions in the region.

  • PSEB Class 10 results declared, 95% students pass; girls top the state

    PSEB Class 10 results declared, 95% students pass; girls top the state

    Chandigarh: The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) declared the Class 10 results on Friday (May 16), with an overall pass percentage of 95%.

    Out of 2,77,746 students who appeared for the exam, 2,65,548 cleared it successfully. Once again, girls outperformed boys, with a pass percentage of 96.85% compared to 94.50% among boys.

    Rural students (96.09%) fared better than their urban counterparts (94.71%). Among school types, 96.96% of private school students passed, followed by 95.47% from government schools and 91.72% from aided schools. Only two out of four transgender students passed the exam.

    The top three positions in the state were secured by girls, each scoring a perfect 650 out of 650 marks. Aksnoor Kaur of Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Sukhian, Faridkot, ranked first. Ratinderdeep Kaur of Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School, Chattiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib secured the second position, while Arshdeep Kaur of Ram Sarup Memorial Senior Secondary School, Chaunda, Malerkotla stood third.

    Among districts, Amritsar recorded the highest pass percentage at 98.54%, while Ludhiana had the lowest at 91.62%. Districts including Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, Bathinda, and Sangrur recorded over 97% pass percentage. In Jalandhar and Mansa, nearly 95% of students passed.

  • Sudanese student stabbed to death near Phagwara university, six arrested

    Sudanese student stabbed to death near Phagwara university, six arrested

    Phagwara: A 25-year-old Sudanese student was brutally stabbed to death and another seriously injured during a violent clash near a private university in Phagwara in the early hours of Thursday, police said.

    The incident has sent shockwaves through the region’s international student community.

    Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tura said the clash occurred around 4 am in the Green Valley area near Law Gate, a residential hub for international students, particularly those from African nations.

    A police team led by SP Rupinder Bhatti and SP (Investigation) acted swiftly and arrested all six accused from Himachal Pradesh within five hours of the incident, he said.

  • Migrants to face decade-long wait for UK residency, stricter English rules for students

    Migrants to face decade-long wait for UK residency, stricter English rules for students

    London: Migrants seeking permanent residency in the UK could face significantly tougher English language requirements under new immigration proposals to be announced next week.

    According to a white paper drafted by Sir Keir Starmer’s government, a “fluent English” proficiency would become mandatory for those applying for indefinite leave to remain. The move could delay the settlement process by up to a decade for individuals who fail to meet the new standard.

    Currently, migrants are required to demonstrate only a basic understanding of English, equivalent to GCSE level. However, the proposed changes would raise the required proficiency to the equivalent of A-levels in English as a Foreign Language.

    The Home Office said applicants must be able to express themselves “fluently and intuitively,” and communicate “flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.”

    The government said the changes aim to support better integration into British society and reduce record net migration, which reached 728,000 last year. The white paper will also propose measures to help over nine million economically inactive people rejoin the workforce.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to say that the post-Brexit points-based immigration system introduced by Boris Johnson has failed and that further reforms are necessary to reduce net migration and drive economic growth.

    Government sources said the white paper would lay out a plan for “strict controls to provide a controlled, selective and fair system.”

  • Punjab begins reopening educational institutions after India-Pakistan ceasefire; border districts remain cautious

    Punjab begins reopening educational institutions after India-Pakistan ceasefire; border districts remain cautious

    Chandigarh: Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, the situation along the Punjab-Pakistan border is gradually returning to normal.

    Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains said that all schools, colleges, and universities in the state will reopen from May 12.

    However, educational institutions in the border districts of Pathankot, Amritsar, and Ferozepur will remain closed for the time being due to ongoing security concerns.

    In Gurdaspur district, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh announced that all educational institutions will remain shut on May 12. He also issued a public advisory urging residents to voluntarily observe a blackout at 8 pm and avoid unnecessary movement at night.

    “The situation is peaceful at present, but people should remain alert to official messages. Any updates regarding threats will be shared immediately,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

  • CET (UG) exam rescheduled for May 12 after India-Pakistan ceasefire

    CET (UG) exam rescheduled for May 12 after India-Pakistan ceasefire

    New Delhi: Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday, the Chandigarh administration withdrew several prohibitory orders that had been issued earlier.

    In light of the development, Panjab University announced that the CET (UG) admission test will now be held on May 12. The exam was originally scheduled for May 11 but had been postponed due to the military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

    The university’s decision came after local authorities moved to restore normalcy in the region.

    “It is for the information of the general public and especially the students that the CET (UG) examination will be held on May 12, 2025.

    The examination centres will remain the same as mentioned earlier,” the university said in a statement.

  • Punjab government issues safety guidelines for students in universities and colleges

    Punjab government issues safety guidelines for students in universities and colleges

    Chandigarh: The Punjab government has issued new safety guidelines for universities and colleges across the state, prioritising the well-being of students in light of the current situation.

    Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the directions aim to ensure that students are not forced to leave campuses if they are unable or unwilling to go home due to safety, transportation, or personal reasons.

    Institutions have been instructed to provide full arrangements for food, accommodation, and healthcare. The government clarified that ongoing or upcoming examinations should not be used as a reason to compel students to stay on campus.

    Students who choose to return home should not face any academic penalties. Authorities have been asked to offer re-examinations or alternative options for such students.

    All educational institutions in the state have been directed to implement the guidelines and ensure that student welfare and safety are treated as top priorities.

  • GNDU students leave hostels amid Indo-Pak tensions; exams postponed

    GNDU students leave hostels amid Indo-Pak tensions; exams postponed

    Amritsar: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, students of Sri Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar have begun leaving their hostels and returning home.

    The university, located just 30 km from the Wagah border, has postponed ongoing semester examinations due to the deteriorating security situation.

    The exodus began after loud explosions from missile strikes were heard on the university campus following India’s Operation Sindoor. The next morning, several students vacated their hostels fearing further attacks.

    A student said, “There is fear here, and our families are very worried. That’s why we want to reach home as soon as possible.”

    On the same night, missile attacks were also reported in other cities including Pathankot. The mounting fear has prompted the majority of students to leave the campus.

    Initially, the university had not postponed the examinations. However, after students from border villages were unable to appear for their papers, the student union appealed for reconsideration. Following this, the administration decided to reschedule the exams.

    Authorities continue to monitor the situation as tensions remain high in the region.

  • Seven, including six school children, killed in road accident near Patiala

    Seven, including six school children, killed in road accident near Patiala

    Chandigarh: Seven persons, including six children from Bhupindera International School in Patiala, were killed on the spot in a road accident near Dhenthal village on the Patiala-Samana road, police said on Tuesday. The driver of the Innova car in which they were travelling also died in the crash.

    The group was returning to their homes in the Samana area after school break when a speeding tipper collided with their vehicle near Dhenthal and Nasupur villages. A child sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition, according to officials.

    Rescue teams used a JCB machine to straighten the severely damaged car and pull out the children trapped inside.

    Patiala SP Palwinder Singh Cheema confirmed the tragic accident and said further investigation is underway.

  • Several flights cancelled, diverted at Amritsar airport amid Operation Sindoor

    Several flights cancelled, diverted at Amritsar airport amid Operation Sindoor

    Amritsar: Several flights were either cancelled or diverted at Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar following the Indian government’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The airport is located just 20 km from the Indo-Pak border.

    A Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Amritsar was rerouted to Muscat, Oman, after being denied access to Pakistani airspace.

    The flight was scheduled to land in Amritsar at 2:10 am. In a separate incident, a SpiceJet flight from Sharjah to Amritsar was also cancelled.

    Passengers have been advised to check flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.