The Career Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC) at Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh successfully organized its flagship annual event, OPEN HOUSE 2026, on 06th May, 2026. Since its inception in 2010, the event has evolved into a vibrant platform aimed at inspiring and guiding young minds from across the tricity towards careers in science, technology, and innovation.

The 17th edition of OPEN HOUSE witnessed enthusiastic participation from school students, who were invited to experience the dynamic world of engineering through an immersive and guided campus tour. The students explored cutting-edge laboratories, advanced research centres, and state-of-the-art facilities across various departments of the institute, gaining first hand exposure to academic and research excellence at PEC.

Prof. J.D. Sharma, Head, CDGC, delivered the introductory address and extended a warm welcome to the visiting schools and dignitaries. In his remarks, he highlighted the vision behind organizing OPEN HOUSE and elaborated on its role in fostering scientific temperament among students. He emphasized PEC’s standing as one of India’s premier engineering institutions and spoke about the importance of nurturing curiosity, innovation, and a research-oriented mindset. He also provided an overview of CDGC’s initiatives aimed at holistic career development and acknowledged the event sponsors, Landmark and StudyIAS, for their support.

Prof. Rajesh Kumar Bhatia, Director, PEC, addressed the gathering and underscored the significance of such initiatives in shaping the future of young learners. He encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity by actively engaging with the exhibits and observing the institute’s laboratories and research facilities. Reflecting on PEC’s rich legacy, he shared insights into its historic contributions, including the establishment of aerospace engineering during the 1965 war era and the remarkable achievements of its distinguished alumni, particularly in the semiconductor domain.

A major highlight of OPEN HOUSE 2026 was the project showcase, featuring innovative and interdisciplinary projects developed by PEC students. The exhibits demonstrated practical applications of engineering concepts and reflected the problem-solving aptitude nurtured within the institution. Each department nominated best project of their concerned department, which was showcased in front of the committee, constituted of expert from industry and academia evaluated those projects and selected one Best project- “ smart AI Based accident detection, and emergency alert system”. The student involved in the project were awarded, 20,000 cash reward and the concerned faculty coordinators were awarded 10,000 cash reward for the same. Some of the other key projects on display included the Vertical Spin Tunnel (VST), Concrete Canoe: Buoyancé, LIVARA: Human-Centered Hygiene Assistance Device, Magnesium-Based Implants for Medicine Delivery, Portable Respiratory Health Monitor, Smart AI-Based Accident Detection System, Kisan Mitra AI, A Cloud-Native Solution for Idiopathic Hypertension Disease, Remote-Controlled 6-Wheel Rover for Metal Detection, and Smart Shoe for Foot Care.

From robotics and artificial intelligence to sustainable engineering solutions and healthcare innovations, the event offered students a comprehensive glimpse into diverse domains of engineering. OPEN HOUSE 2026 not only ignited curiosity but also provided valuable career guidance, encouraging young minds to explore the vast and evolving world of science and technology.