The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, organized a special lecture on the theme “Education, Startup and Employment: Learn, Launch and Lead”. The lecture was delivered by Prof. P.S. Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, and was jointly coordinated by the Office of Director, R&D and the CU Punjab Research and Development Foundation (CUPRDF).In his keynote address, Prof. Shukla emphasized the vital interconnection between education, entrepreneurship, and employment. He described education as the cornerstone of success, urging students to learn not only from formal settings but also through peer interaction and real-world experiences.Highlighting India’s rapid growth as a startup powerhouse, Prof. Shukla stated, “India now boasts over 1.57 lakh startups and ranks among the top five startup nations globally. Bengaluru is the third-largest startup hub after San Francisco and New York.” He praised national initiatives like Startup India and Skill India Mission and advocated for strong innovation ecosystems in universities, including incubation centres and research-driven academic frameworks.Prof. Shukla proposed the creation of “Ideation Rooms” in universities to foster creativity and critical thinking. He also stressed the importance of the Knowledge Triangle—linking education, research, and business—to drive innovation and boost employability.Prof. Anjana Munshi, Director of R&D, expressed her gratitude to Prof. Shukla for his visionary lecture and encouraged students to utilize their research potential to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to real-world challenges.Prof. Monisha Dhiman, Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), welcomed the suggestion of setting up Ideation Rooms, viewing it as a progressive step toward nurturing a culture of innovation on campus.Dr. Akshay Nag from CUPRDF highlighted the foundation’s role in fostering a vibrant ecosystem for research and entrepreneurship and delivered the vote of thanks.The lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, research scholars, and faculty across disciplines, reflecting a growing interest in innovation-led education and entrepreneurial growth.