Patiala, 08 February (Desk)
On February 8, 2026, the Governor of Punjab (who serves as the Chancellor of the university) announced the appointment of Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill as the Vice-Chancellor of The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University (MBSPSU), Patiala. This fills a key vacancy that had existed since the retirement of the previous VC, Lt Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema, in 2024.
Appointment Details
- Tenure: 3 years, effective from the date Dr. Gill assumes office.
- Appointing Authority: The Chancellor (Punjab Governor), under the powers conferred by Section 26(1) of the Statutes of the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University Act, 2019.
- Official Notification: Issued by Vivek Pratap Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Punjab, through the Governor’s Secretariat, Lok Bhavan, Chandigarh.
- University Background: MBSPSU is Punjab’s premier state sports university, established in 2019 as a residential and affiliating institution focused on sports education, research, coaching, and excellence in physical education and sports sciences. It is located in Patiala and aims to promote sports culture in the state.
About Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill
Dr. Gill is a retired senior professor from Punjabi University, Patiala, where he served at the School of Management Studies. He is recognized as one of the university’s most experienced faculty members.
- Academic Qualifications: Ph.D. (1993) from Punjabi University, Patiala, with specialization in “Marketing Executive Effectiveness In Relation To Job Involvement And Locus of Control.”
- Experience: Over 36 years in academia, research, administration, and international consulting. His expertise spans:
- Strategic Management
- Organizational Behavior and Change
- Marketing Management
- Global Business Strategy
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Tourism Management
- Ethics and International Competition
- Leadership Roles at Punjabi University:
- Head, School of Management Studies
- Dean, Faculty of Business Studies
- Earlier service at Guru Kashi Campus, Talwandi Sabo (a neighborhood campus of Punjabi University)
- Corporate Experience: Served as Country Head for Cadbury India and Country Head for Coca-Cola in Africa, handling planning, production, and distribution strategies.
- Publications & Contributions:
- Edited acclaimed works, including the 4-volume book Dynamics of Tourism.
- Numerous publications in national and international journals.
- Designed MBA courses in Strategic Management, Organizational Change, and Marketing.
- Frequent speaker at seminars, conferences, and chaired sessions on corporate transformation and strategy.
- Awards: Received the Award of Management Excellence from Punjab Commerce and Management Association (Regd.) in 2015.
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This appointment brings a seasoned academic administrator with strong management and strategic expertise to lead MBSPSU, which is poised to benefit from his interdisciplinary background in driving academic and administrative excellence in sports education.
