Introduction

As per the mandate and best practices prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and other national bodies, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University (JGND PSOU) has established a dedicated Planning & Development Division to strengthen institutional planning and governance. The Division is envisaged to coordinate institutional planning, development initiatives, collaborations and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), institutional expansion, policy formulation, liaison with government departments and agencies, and systematic monitoring of schemes presently executed in a decentralized manner across various academic and administrative sections. The establishment of a centralized Planning & Development Division is expected to streamline workflows, foster synergy among academic and administrative units, enhance coordination with external stakeholders, and ensure timely and effective implementation of developmental initiatives. This structural reform significantly strengthens the University’s governance framework, improves institutional processes, and facilitates alignment of the University’s initiatives with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, State priorities, and national-level educational objectives.

Constitution of the Planning & Development Division Committee

To operationalize the functioning of the Planning & Development Division, the following Committee has been constituted:

Activities Undertaken under the Planning & Development Division

Since its establishment, the Planning & Development Division has undertaken several significant initiatives in accordance with UGC norms, HEI best practices, and national priorities. The major activities undertaken are as follows:
• Formulation of SoP and Policy for the Regional Services Division (RSD): The Planning & Development Division has designed and finalized the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and Policy Framework for the Regional Services Division (RSD) of the University in line with the mandate of the UGC and HEIs. This policy framework provides a structured and uniform mechanism for the effective functioning of the University Headquarters, Regional Centres (RCs), and Learner Support Centres (LSCs), ensuring operational efficiency, transparency, and accountability across all levels.
• Preparation of SoP for Sensitization and Outreach Programs: The Division has prepared a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for conducting sensitization and outreach programmes for employees of educational institutions and young learners across the State. These initiatives aim to enhance awareness about the University’s academic and skill-oriented programmes, with the objectives of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and reducing the drop-out rate, in alignment with the goals of NEP-2020.
• MoUs and Institutional Collaborations: Under the visionary leadership of the University and through the concerted efforts of its faculty members, the Planning & Development Division has successfully facilitated and executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several national and international organizations. These collaborations are focused on strengthening academic delivery, research, training, extension activities, and institutional outreach, thereby enhancing the University’s academic visibility and societal impact.

List of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)