Thapar University (a private university) previously known as Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (before 2007)- was founded in 1956 by Karam Chand Thapar of the Thapar Group of companies. Situated in the city of Patiala in Punjab, it is one of north India\'s premier institutes of engineering and technology. Thapar University offers courses at the bachelors, masters and Ph. D., level in several disciplines of engineering and technology.