Rooted in the universal teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Chair for Human Values & Professional Ethics at Chitkara University stands as a centre of academic and spiritual reflection, interfaith dialogue, and research. It is a platform for advancing peace, sustainability, and ethical leadership — inspired by one of history’s most profound spiritual visionaries. The Chair fosters intellectual inquiry and practical engagement with the timeless values of compassion, honesty, inclusion, and selfless service — values that lie at the heart of Guru Nanak’s message and are deeply relevant to the modern world.
Sikhism, one of the youngest and most impactful world religions, was founded over 500 years ago by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Born in a time marked by religious conflict and social decay, Guru Nanak emerged as a voice of reason, harmony, and reform. Rejecting dogma, oppression, and discrimination, he championed the ideals of equality, justice, and truthful living. Guru Nanak’s teachings reflect shared Indic philosophies — such as dharma, karma, and moksha — and transcend all religious divides. His message continues to shape not just the spiritual consciousness of India, but global perspectives on human dignity and coexistence.
To commemorate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Government of Punjab established dedicated Chairs at select institutions worldwide. Chitkara University was honoured to be chosen as one of only 11 universities globally to house this prestigious Chair. Supported by the Punjab Government, the Chair was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi (April 13, 2019). It is committed to advancing research, dialogue, and public engagement inspired by Guru Nanak’s universal teachings. In recognition of his contribution to education, Dr. Ashok K Chitkara, Chancellor, was conferred the Guru Nanak Dev Ji Achievers' Award by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh.
The Chair aspires to promote the spirit of Guru Nanak’s timeless wisdom through academic research, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement. Its purpose is to:
Instil values of humanism, truth, and ethical conduct in modern life and professional practice.
Foster awareness of the ecological message in “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Maata Dharat”, encouraging responsible stewardship of nature and sustainability.
Reinforce Kirat Kamai (earning an honest living), Vand Chakko (sharing with the community), and Naam Japna (spiritual reflection) as pillars of personal and societal transformation.
Enable youth to engage deeply with issues of environmental justice, spiritual well-being, and social equity.
Uphold ethical conduct across domains, from public service to entrepreneurship.
Promote inclusive development models that counter greed, dishonesty, and material excess.
The Chair aspires to promote the spirit of Guru Nanak’s timeless wisdom through academic research, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement. Its purpose is to:
Instil values of humanism, truth, and ethical conduct in modern life and professional practice.
Foster awareness of the ecological message in “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Maata Dharat”, encouraging responsible stewardship of nature and sustainability.
Reinforce Kirat Kamai (earning an honest living), Vand Chakko (sharing with the community), and Naam Japna (spiritual reflection) as pillars of personal and societal transformation.
Enable youth to engage deeply with issues of environmental justice, spiritual well-being, and social equity.
Uphold ethical conduct across domains, from public service to entrepreneurship.
Promote inclusive development models that counter greed, dishonesty, and material excess.
The Chair seeks to advance Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings through rigorous academic research, scholarly discourse, and meaningful engagement. Its mission is to:
To support high-quality academic based on the timeless teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
To disseminate his message through seminars, courses, dialogues, and publications.
To provide platforms for scholarly discourse on spiritual values, inter-religious harmony, and ethical leadership.
To serve as a moral compass in contemporary times, promoting inner growth and ensuring the well-being of the society.
The Chair operates as a multidisciplinary platform focused on knowledge generation, documentation, and dissemination. Research is undertaken in the following key domains:
Investigating ecological responsibility through Shri Guru Nanak’s lens and promoting sustainable practices aligned with his teachings.
Exploring the Guru’s progressive stance on dignity and equality for women in personal and societal contexts.
Strengthening understanding and collaboration among faiths through shared human values and respectful engagement.
Studying poverty, marginalisation, and structural inequalities through the ethics of seva (service) and social responsibility.
The Chair also collects archival materials, conducts ethnographic studies, and documents lived practices of Guru Nanak’s teachings across regions. Special lectures, monographs, and research publications further extend this academic mission.
From symposia to innovation labs, the initiatives of this Chair foster awareness, collaboration, and research rooted in Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s timeless values.
The Chair regularly hosts thematic lectures, youth conclaves, and academic symposia that examine the relevance of Guru Nanak’s teachings in today’s world — from environmental ethics to professional integrity.
Multidisciplinary innovation labs where students ideate and prototype sustainable solutions from solar micro-grids to digital literacy initiatives, under the expert mentorship of faculty & sector professionals.
An annual initiative where students pitch scalable business models designed for rural settings, fostering innovation and enterprise thinking with mentorship from social impact investors and founders.
Dedicated sessions on career mapping, sector-specific job readiness, resume enhancement, and interview preparation, geared towards roles in development organisations, rural enterprises, and CSR functions.
The Chair acknowledges India’s profound spiritual legacy. As Mark Twain once wrote: “In religion, all other countries are paupers. India is the only millionaire.” India’s heritage, as the birthplace of Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, exemplifies its capacity for tolerance, wisdom, and philosophical depth. In this rich lineage, Guru nanak dev ji’s life and message represent one of the most transformative contributions to global human thought.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life was an embodiment of peaceful coexistence. His 27-year journey across Asia, including Mecca, Tibet, and Sri Lanka, was defined by open dialogue with faith leaders, kings, and common people alike. He preached not conversion, but compassion, truth, and universal brotherhood. In a world plagued by conflict and misinformation, the Chair aspires to bring back this ethos of dialogue. As we face global challenges, from climate change to ideological polarisation, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings offer not just spiritual comfort, but a roadmap for ethical action and peaceful living. The Chair is committed to enabling this vision to flourish, in India and beyond, through enduring research, education, and outreach.
Patron
Chancellor, Chitkara University
Patron
Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University
Co-Patron
Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University – Punjab
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Coordinator
Manager, Operations
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway
Punjab 140 401
Unit No. A 201-202
Elante Mall Office Complex
Industrial Area Phase 1
Chandigarh 160 002
Unit No. A 201-202
Elante Mall Office Complex
Industrial Area Phase 1
Chandigarh 160 002
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway
Punjab 140 401
