Bathinda, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A four-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on research methodologies and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic research concluded at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda, with an emphasis on strengthening research capabilities among teachers of Government Polytechnics of Punjab.
Organised by the Giani Zail Singh School of Architecture and Planning, the programme brought together faculty members from Government Polytechnics in Bathinda, Jalandhar and Patiala. It focused on contemporary research methods in architectural education and the growing applications of AI in research and academic processes.
The programme covered architectural research, systematic literature reviews, analytical methods in urban planning and design research, case-study research, architectural enquiry, regenerative architecture and fieldwork-based research. Participants also discussed research ethics, scientific misconduct and review-paper writing using VOSviewer.
Sessions further examined AI-assisted preparation of formatted reports and presentations, along with the challenges and ethical concerns associated with the use of AI-generated content in research articles.
The resource persons included Dr Prabhjot Kaur, Dr Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot, Dr Ripu Daman Singh, Ar Meenu Chaudhary and Ar Kapil Arora from GZS School of Architecture and Planning; Dr Pritpal Singh Bhullar and Dr Puneet Bansal from University Business School; Dr Manmeet Kaur from the Department of Computer Applications; Dr Jatinder Kaur from SPA, New Delhi; and Ar Nitesh Dogne, Commonwealth Scholar, University of Bath, UK.
The sessions combined research fundamentals with practical methodologies and contemporary digital tools, with emphasis on systematic enquiry, scholarly communication, analytical and field-based research methods and academic integrity.
Addressing the valedictory session, Prof Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Vice Chancellor, MRSPTU, stressed the need to strengthen the research culture in architectural education. He said research should be regarded not merely as an academic requirement but as a means of developing systematic enquiry, critical thinking and evidence-based understanding of the built environment.
Prof Sharma also called for the critical, responsible and ethical use of AI while maintaining academic integrity. He appreciated the department’s efforts to bring together experienced and young professionals to engage with evolving approaches to contemporary research.
Prof Paramjeet Singh, Registrar, and Prof Amit Bhatia, Dean Academic Affairs, MRSPTU, also attended the valedictory session as distinguished guests. Prof Bhatia, who serves as the overall coordinator of FDPs for polytechnic teachers, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to faculty development, research capacity building and academic excellence.
The FDP was coordinated by Dr Ripu Daman Singh. Ar Mitakshi Sharma, Ar Priyanka Malhotra, Ar Nyoom Hehr and Ar Karanveer Singh served as Faculty Co-Convenors.
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