Dignitaries and experts in the ICAIC 2026 at Manipal University Jaipur

The inaugural session was graced by Dr. Somitra Kumar Sanadhya, Professor, Wadhwani School of AI & Intelligent Systems, IIT Kanpur, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Emmanuel S. Pilli, Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) Jaipur, as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Niti Nipun Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur; Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President, Manipal University Jaipur; and Dr. Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Dean, Faculty of Science, Technology and Architecture, were also present at the inaugural ceremony, which began with the traditional lighting of the lamp.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, ICAIC 2025, the conference aims to provide an international platform for the exchange of research ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration and discussions on the evolving role of AI in addressing real-world challenges. The second edition has attracted an impressive response from the global research community, receiving 736 research paper submissions. Following a rigorous peer-review process, 81 papers were accepted, representing an acceptance rate of approximately 11 per cent and reflecting the conference's emphasis on research quality and academic rigour.

The conference has drawn participation from 16 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Russia, Latvia, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Nigeria and India. The international participation underscores the growing relevance of AI and computing research and provides opportunities for knowledge exchange among researchers and professionals from diverse academic and technological backgrounds.

The technical programme is structured around three major tracks. The first, Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications, explores developments in healthcare, medical imaging, robotics and intelligent systems. The second, Open Innovation & Industry Applications, focuses on areas such as financial technology, sustainability, education and Industry 4.0. The third, Advanced Computational Techniques and Emerging Trends, addresses emerging areas including quantum computing, cybersecurity, explainable AI and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Special sessions further explore Generative AI, intelligent healthcare, cloud security and sustainable digital transformation, highlighting the expanding applications of AI across sectors.

A significant academic outcome of ICAIC 2026 is the planned submission of all accepted and presented papers for publication in Springer's Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (LNNS) series in two volumes. The series is indexed in SCOPUS, DBLP, INSPEC and zbMATH, providing an established platform for disseminating research findings to the wider scientific and academic community.

Through ICAIC 2026, Manipal University Jaipur seeks to strengthen international research engagement, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and promote dialogue between academia and industry on emerging technologies. 

About Manipal University Jaipur
Established in 2011, Manipal University Jaipur is a NAAC A+ accredited institution and part of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). Located on a 122-acre campus in Rajasthan, the university offers programmes across diverse disciplines, including engineering, computer science, management, law, architecture, humanities and sciences. With an emphasis on academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, innovation, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration, MUJ provides an environment that encourages students and faculty members to engage with emerging technologies and address contemporary societal challenges. The university continues to strengthen its national and international academic partnerships and research ecosystem in alignment with its vision of advancing knowledge, fostering innovation and preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving global landscape.

To know more about Manipal University Jaipur please visit – jaipur.manipal.edu 

How Sandip University is Preparing Students for the Future

As India transitions to an AI driven economy, there will be a need to upgrade skills of its workforce through appropriate education and training programs. The NITI Aayog Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy highlights the importance of boosting AI skills, including AI in education, and fostering better teamwork between the government, universities, and businesses.

In line with this, Sandip University is creating an educational environment that mixes technology-based learning, real-world industry experience, hands-on training, and personal growth—helping students get ready for the changing job market.

Modernising the Academic Core
Preparing students for the future is at the core of the education they receive while at the university. Our emerging technologies such as AI & ML are mapped against the various programs offered to students at Sandip University.

For instance, B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning covers artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, intelligent agents, and cognitive modelling, while connecting these concepts to real-world technological applications.

The university’s academic offerings also extend into cybersecurity, cloud technologies, virtual reality, and other technology-driven disciplines, allowing students to develop specialised knowledge aligned with changing industry needs.

Industry-University Collaboration
Academic knowledge gains more significance when students can relate it to the expectations of the workplace. Sandip University has built strong industry associations that offer students opportunities for training, internships, digital learning, certifications, and industry exposure.

Through its Corporate Tie-ups, the university collaborates with organizations such as Capgemini, Edunet Foundation through the IBM Skill Build programme, Infosys Springboard, Xento Systems, and RPG Foundation–Zensar Technologies.

These collaborations support various initiatives including student training, on-campus internships, industry site visits, internship programs, and opportunities for skill development and digital certification.

Real-World Experience Before Graduation
At Sandip University, our students gain practical experience as part of their academic development. Our Career Development Cell focuses on enhancing technology awareness, improving communication skills, inculcating soft and life skills, guiding students for higher education, and guiding them for their careers.

The University also aims to develop students through various field trips, workshops, industrial visits, guest lectures, university clubs, hands-on training, and compulsory internships. By these additional activities, students can reinforce what they have learned in the classroom to develop various skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, leadership, interview, and other professional skills before entering the workforce.

Building Technical and Human Capabilities
Technical skills matter, but long-term employability also depends on abilities beyond them. The World Economic Forum’s Skills Outlook 2025 identifies analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility—together with technological literacy and expertise in AI and big data—as key competencies for the changing labour market.

Sandip University’s Career Development Cell trains students in communication, leadership, group discussions, interview preparation, soft skills and emerging technologies.

Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovating for Future Work requires students to be exposed to ideas for innovation and to practice entrepreneurship.

The Research and Innovation ecosystem at Sandip University is specifically designed to carry out research-oriented and innovation-focused activities. In addition to classical university teaching, our entrepreneurship and innovation offers enable students to develop ideas, solutions and business models, and to bring their ventures to market.

Many emerging technologies will develop new applications, business models new job opportunities in various sectors.

Preparing Students for a Changing Employment Landscape
The future of work won’t revolve around just one technology or one kind of job. Things will keep changing—skills, roles, and even how companies operate.

That’s why Sandip University brings together technology-focused programmes, industry partnerships, internships, professional skills training, certifications, and innovation opportunities. The aim is to create a learning environment that helps students stay ready for change.

The real goal isn’t just to prepare students for their first job. It’s to give them the technical knowledge, practical experience, and flexible skills they need so they can keep learning and growing as the workplace continues to evolve.

It offered students an opportunity to interact directly with the architect whose work, spanning more than six decades, has contributed significantly to the evolution of contemporary Indian architecture. Bringing together perspectives from architecture, interiors, art, craft and design, the symposium encouraged students to look beyond disciplinary boundaries and understand design as a practice deeply connected to people, culture and society.

A key highlight of the symposium was the screening of Indian Modernity: The Architecture of Raj Rewal, a film exploring the architect’s work and approach to design. The screening was followed by a talk by Ar Rewal and an open interaction with students, offering them insights into his architectural philosophy that reflects a deep engagement with India’s cultural, climatic and social contexts while responding to contemporary needs. This interaction offered students meaningful insights into how architectural ideas evolve through practice, how designers navigate real-world constraints and how individual convictions shape creative work over time.

During the symposium, Ar Rewal also launched the Backpackers Academy of Life Trail 1: Kerala, an initiative of the Global Village Foundation, with its first trail planned across Kerala in December 2026.

The symposium was envisioned by Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University, and curated by Ar Jabeen Zacharias, Professor of Practice, Anant National University. It was coordinated by Prof Risha Roy, Associate Professor and Lead, Sustainable Fashion and Textile Design, and Co-lead, Transdisciplinary Design, Anant National University, with the support of the wider academic and organising team.

The symposium reinforced Anant’s interdisciplinary approach to education by encouraging students to consider how architectural, artistic and cultural traditions can serve as resources for contemporary innovation rather than constraints on new thinking. By facilitating direct engagement with accomplished practitioners and documenting their experiences, Anant aims to create learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and contribute to a wider exchange of design knowledge.

About Anant National University 
At Anant National University, education begins with a simple belief: the future will not be inherited. It will be purposefully designed.

Guided by the philosophy: Come, Create the New, Anant brings together learners who are curious about the world as it is, but also ambitious about what it could become. The University encourages students to look beyond conventional answers and engage with the complex challenges of our times: Ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies.

Anant offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its approach combines academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and hands-on engagement with communities. The goal is not only to build practical skills but also to train diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change.

Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s abiding commitment to build an innovating institution where creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose come together to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.

57 Chitkara University researchers earn recognition among the world’s Top 2% Scientists in the prestigious Stanford University–Elsevier report

The Stanford–Elsevier report identifies influential researchers across disciplines based on standardised citation indicators and research impact. The inclusion of 57 Chitkara University researchers in this global recognition highlights the contributions of its academic and research community to the advancement of scholarship and innovation.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “Research is not simply about expanding the boundaries of knowledge; it is about using that knowledge to address meaningful questions, solve real-world challenges, and contribute to society. The recognition of 57 of our researchers among the world’s top 2% scientists is a proud moment for Chitkara University. It reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our academic environment, and our belief that meaningful research must create an impact beyond the university. We remain committed to nurturing a culture where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are challenged, and discoveries translate into progress for communities and the world.”

At Chitkara University, research is viewed as an integral part of academic growth and institutional development. The University continues to encourage faculty members and researchers to pursue rigorous inquiry, collaborate across disciplines and engage with emerging challenges in science, technology, healthcare, business and other fields.

The recognition also celebrates the individual commitment, intellectual curiosity and sustained efforts of the researchers whose work contributes to the global body of knowledge. Their achievements strengthen the University's research ecosystem and inspire the next generation of scholars to pursue questions that can lead to meaningful discoveries and lasting change.

Congratulating all 57 researchers on this achievement, Chitkara University reaffirmed its commitment to advancing research excellence, supporting innovation and building an academic environment where knowledge creates value for society.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in

Mr. Avinash V. unveiled the trophy and Dr. Anand V, unveiled the jerseys in the presence of Dr. S. K. Rao, Dr. M. Veeraraghavan,, Dr. R. Prabhu, Dr. Harish Kumar and captains

Chief guest and cricketer Mr. Avinash Vaidya unveiled the championship trophy and Dr. Anand Venugopal, COO, MAHE, unveiled the team jerseys in the presence of Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru, Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu, Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru Campus, Dr. Harish Kumar S., Director-Corporate Relations, corporate leaders and captains of the participating teams. 

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Avinash Vaidya said, “Cricket builds teamwork, discipline, leadership and the ability to perform under pressure, qualities that are equally important in the workplace. By bringing corporate teams together through this championship, MAHE has created a meaningful platform that goes beyond competition to strengthen professional relationships, encourage collaboration and build lasting connections through sport.”

Dr. Sharath K. Rao said, “Institutions and industries grow when they engage with each other consistently and work towards shared goals. The MAHE CCC provides a platform for the corporate community and the university to come together in a spirit of teamwork and collaboration. We hope this engagement will strengthen our existing relationships and lead to meaningful, long-term associations.”

Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan said, “Corporate leaders across sectors bring different experiences, perspectives and approaches to solving real-world challenges. The CCC creates an informal setting for these perspectives to come together, allowing conversations and ideas to develop beyond conventional boardrooms. For MAHE Bengaluru, the value of this initiative lies in creating a vibrant space where the university and the corporate community can exchange ideas and discover areas of shared interest.”

The championship features teams from prominent organisations across technology, healthcare, consulting and financial services. Participating organisations include ARM, Bosch, Carelon, EY, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, JPMorganChase, KPMG, LinkedIn, Manipal Hospitals, Microland, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Salesforce, Thomson Reuters and Unisys.

The championship will follow the T20 white-ball format, with weekend matches scheduled at the MAHE Bengaluru Campus. The teams are divided into four pools, with each team playing three league matches. The tournament will feature 27 matches, including two semi-finals and the final.

The concluding phase will be held at MIT Sports Park, MAHE Manipal. The semi-finals are scheduled for December 5, followed by the final under lights on December 6.

Team and individual performances will be recognised throughout the championship. Awards will be presented to the winner and runner-up, along with honours for Man of the Match in each fixture, Man of the Series, Best Batsman and Best Bowler.

Through the championship, MAHE aims to bring competitive sport and corporate-academic engagement together. The initiative gives corporate professionals, team representatives and the university community an opportunity to build relationships and explore common interests beyond conventional institutional settings.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.

Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit 2027
 

The 2027 summit will focus on “Talent, transition and scale: Leading in an era of expansion,” with discussions on the opportunities and challenges shaping higher education, including talent development, technological transformation, internationalisation, research and innovation, demographic change and climate resilience.
 

The summit will also feature the live reveal of THE Asia University Rankings 2027 and the winners’ ceremony for THE Asia Awards 2027, bringing together leading institutions and higher-education professionals from across the region.
 

Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Hosting the Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit in India highlights the nation's growing role in global higher education. MAHE is proud to host this international event at our Bengaluru campus and to participate in discussions that could shape the future of universities, education, and research across Asia.”
 

Speaking about the summit, Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Hosting the Times Higher Education Asia Universities Summit 2027 at MAHE Bengaluru is an important opportunity to promote meaningful dialogue about the future of higher education in Asia. As the summit comes to India for the first time, MAHE looks forward to welcoming university leaders, academicians, policymakers and industry representatives to Bengaluru and to creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and innovation.”
 

The summit will showcase MAHE Bengaluru's technology and innovation environment and provide international delegates with an opportunity to engage with the university’s academic and research ecosystem.
 

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3^rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.
 

Event: THE Asia Universities Summit 2027
Dates: 20-22 April 2027
Venue: MAHE Campus, Govindapura, Yelahanka, Bengaluru
Theme: Talent, transition and scale: Leading in an era of expansion
Host: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Organiser: Times Higher Education (THE)
 

For more information, please click the link: shorturl.at/oOQRi

Dr. Emir Hrnjic, Senior Lecturer in Finance, NUS Business School (fifth from left), at a media engagement with Indonesian media in Singapore

For more than a century, case-based learning has put students in the shoes of business leaders by giving information they need to analyse a problem, and then ask them how they would solve it.

Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing what it means to solve a case. Since January 2026, NUS Business School has been piloting an AI-enabled approach in which students are given an AI-simulated problem where they must determine what information they need, decide whom to ask, evaluate the answers they receive and make a recommendation under uncertainty.

The simulation is built on ScholAIstic, a generative AI platform developed by the NUS AI Centre for Educational Technologies (AICET) to support roleplaying and simulation-based learning.

Dr Emir Hrnjic, a Senior Lecturer in Finance at NUS Business School, has been working with AICET to adapt and refine these capabilities for management education, developing executive personas around the business case.

To date, the tool has now been used by close to 100 MBA and Executive MBA students across Singapore and Jakarta, many of whom are senior executives.

Sharpening the human instinct behind good decisions
In the pilot, students interview AI-simulated executives, including a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product and Technology Officer, each offering a different perspective to the same business situation. Students must navigate these perspectives, assess the information they gather and reach their own conclusions.

After each interview, students receive personalised feedback on on their questioning, allowing them to reflect and adapt their approach in subsequent interviews.

Dr Hrnjic said: “Students must decide what they need to know, ask the right questions, challenge what they hear and exercise judgement without having the complete picture. The aim is not to replace that human instinct with AI, but to sharpen in by helping students become more discerning about what to ask and trust. That is much closer to how leaders make decisions in the real world.”

Early findings suggest that effective use of AI is not about asking more questions but about asking the right ones. Analysis of interview transcripts showed found that stronger interviews had more targeted questions, follow-ups and adaptation as new information emerged, rather than simply working through a prepared list.

The findings point to a broader role for generative AI in management education. Rather than using AI primarily to search for information or generate answers, the technology can recreate the real-world scenarios, sharpening executives’ judgement to better navigate uncertainty and competing perspectives they face in real organisations.

NUS Business School sees potential for similar AI-simulated tools to be applied to other areas of business education where students need to question stakeholders, negotiate competing interests and make decisions under uncertainty. The ambition is to move beyond the largely static information environment of the traditional case towards a dynamic one where students actively acquire information, pursue emerging lines of inquiry, challenge assumptions and exercise judgement as the problem unfolds.

The simulation is one part of NUS Business School’s broader approach to integrating AI into education. The school is exploring how AI can enhance, rather than replace, meaningful learning, thereby helping students develop the judgement, critical thinking and adaptability needed to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

This becomes increasingly important as AI takes on a greater role in business. Companies across Asia, including Indonesia, are rapidly adopting AI across their operations, making the ability to question and assess AI-generated information an increasingly important leadership skill. For Indonesia, the economic stakes are significant. A 2020 study by Kearney and EDBI projected that AI could contribute USD 366 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030, equivalent to 12 per cent of projected GDP.

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About National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established around 15 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg.

About NUS Business School

With 50,000 alumni and 60 global chapters, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, enabling its students and corporate partners to leverage global knowledge and Asian insights.

The school has consistently ranked first in Asia by independent publications and agencies, such as The Financial Times and Quacquarelli Symonds, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates.

The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), endorsements that the school has met the highest standards for business education.

For more information about NUS Business School, please visit bschool.nus.edu.sg.

To discover our MBA, MSc or Executive Education courses, visit mscbiz.nus.edu.sg, mba.nus.edu.sg or executive-education.nus.edu.sg

Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)

Elaborating on the exclusive opportunity and the gradual increase in numbers, Rev. Dr C. Joe Arun, SJ, Director of LIBA, stated, “We have consistently seen interest from students whose parents are working in the Gulf, and this year the level of enquiries around the CIWG category has been particularly encouraging. For eligible candidates, the category provides an opportunity to explore LIBA’s PGDM programme while availing themselves of the applicable domestic fee structure, subject to the prescribed eligibility and admission criteria.”

LIBA, a Jesuit business school in Chennai, combines industry-oriented management education with its philosophy of “Excellence with Ethics”. Its experiential approach to learning has also attracted students from Indian families based overseas, including the Gulf region. Students admitted under the CIWG category account for approximately 15% of each PGDM batch.

“Over the last few years, we have seen growing interest from students from Gulf-based Indian families. Many of these students have already completed or are pursuing their undergraduate education in India, making a PGDM a natural next step as they prepare for careers in a competitive global business environment,” added Rev. Dr. C. Joe Arun, SJ.

While candidates under the CIWG category are required to meet the prescribed eligibility and admission criteria, including applicable entrance-test requirements, the category provides eligible children of Gulf-based Indians with a distinct pathway to apply to LIBA’s PGDM programme. Final selection remains subject to the institution’s admission process and verification of the required documents.

Admissions for LIBA’s 2027–29 PGDM programme are now open. Eligible students interested in exploring the CIWG category can contact LIBA’s admissions team for information on eligibility, documentation and the application process. Further details are available at LIBA’s official website.

About LIBA

A Jesuit business school, LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration) is known for its industry-oriented approach to management education, combining academic rigour with experiential learning. Its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme is designed to equip aspiring business leaders with the knowledge, skills and ethical perspective needed to navigate a dynamic global business environment. Guided by its philosophy of “Excellence with Ethics”, LIBA continues to nurture responsible leaders who can create meaningful impact across industries.

Crizac launches Partner Growth Program to support counselling partners with marketing, training, and branding

Built especially for small and medium counselling businesses, PGP equips partners with ready-to-use marketing, structured counsellor training and certification, and professional branding under their own name, all through their existing Crizac login. The program is open to Crizac's network of 17,400+ registered counselling partners across 85+ countries.

Helping partners build stronger businesses

Counsellors devote their days to guiding students, managing applications, and handling the steady rhythm of follow-ups. As a result, they seldom have the bandwidth to work consistently on marketing and branding, which can mean missed opportunities to generate new leads and grow their business.

At the same time, they must stay abreast of destination policies, admissions processes, and industry shifts that rarely pause. Finding the time and resources for regular training and certification becomes a challenge of its own.

Crizac believes a platform is only as strong as the counselling partners it works with, and that its role is to contribute to their growth. PGP gives that belief practical form.

"Students trust their counsellor before they trust any university or any platform. That trust is earned one conversation at a time, and it is the most valuable thing in our industry," said Dr Vikash Agarwal, Managing Director, Crizac Limited. "Yet the counselling partners that earn it often have the least time and support to grow. A platform should grow with the partners that trust it, and PGP is our commitment to doing exactly that. When counselling partners grow stronger, students get better advice, and the whole system works better."

How PGP helps the Counselling Partners

• Stay visible without a marketing team. Through the Marketing Studio, partners get ready-to-post content designed by Crizac and branded with their own name and contact details. A small business can keep its channels active and look as professional as a much larger one, at no cost.

• Stay current without losing time. Counsellors can earn Crizac-issued counselling certifications across study destinations at substantial discounts. Each one builds a substantial understanding of a country, from application to visa to loan and beyond, so partners can guide students and families through every step with clarity.

Together, these let partners spend less time on marketing and training logistics, and more time counselling.

"Small and growing education consultancies should not have to choose between serving their students and investing in their own growth," said Nikhil Jain, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Crizac Limited. "Through the Partner Growth Program, we are making professional marketing support, branding resources, and destination-specific training more accessible to our counselling partners. Ultimately, stronger brands and better-trained counsellors help build student confidence and give education consultancies more opportunities to grow."

"AI will not replace the counsellor. It will separate the counsellors who use it from those who do not," added Dishant Kharbanda, Chief Innovation Officer, Crizac Limited, and the author of Hacked by History: Seven secrets of Dominating the age of AI. "Students now arrive having already asked an AI where to study, what it will cost, and whether they will get a visa. A counsellor's value no longer lies in holding information. It lies in judgment, empathy, and accountability. We are building tools that handle the routine work for our partners, so they can spend more time on what only a human can do.“

Today's launch is the first chapter of PGP, not the full story. Crizac intends to keep adding new tools, training, and benefits to PGP, each shaped by what partners say they need most. Every addition will follow one simple test: if it helps a counsellor win a family's trust, serve a student better, or run a stronger business, it belongs in PGP. Partners who sign in today will get early access to new features.

Crizac partners can sign in to PGP at Link using their existing partner account. Counselling partners new to Crizac can register using the same link.

About Crizac Limited

Crizac Limited is an AI-native student mobility platform partnering with international universities and education counsellors globally, with 450+ institutions across the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Europe. Headquartered in Kolkata and listed on the NSE and BSE, Crizac is committed to ethical recruitment and tech-driven student success.

Disclaimer

Statements in this release about Crizac's future plans and direction, including the development of PGP and its work in technology and AI, are forward-looking, reflect current expectations, and are subject to change. They are not guarantees of any specific feature, offering, or timeline.

Dr Sharath K Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, sharing his insights during the MAHE Nature Conference

The conference brings together researchers, clinicians, public health experts, policymakers, and industry representatives from 20 countries to share scientific findings, examine emerging research, and strengthen collaboration on the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

The conference addresses critical global health priorities, including emerging and re-emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccination strategies, and the One Health approach.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, stressed the importance of strengthening global health security in the face of emerging infectious disease threats. “Human beings have become increasingly adept at crossing borders, but pathogens have become even more adept. They do not need passports or visas, reminding us that infectious diseases are a global challenge that transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that health security is inseparable from human security and underscored the need for stronger surveillance, preparedness, and equitable access to healthcare,” he emphasised.

Dr Rao further noted that addressing infectious disease challenges requires collaboration across medicine, pharmacy, engineering, data science, behavioural sciences and public health policy. He added that universities have a critical role in fostering interdisciplinary partnerships that translate research into meaningful public health outcomes.

Dr Jessica Thompson, Senior Editor at Nature Microbiology, opened the proceedings with a warm welcome to all attendees on behalf of the Nature editorial team, and outlined the scientific discussions planned for the day.

The day’s proceedings have been organised around a series of expert-led sessions on disease surveillance modelling, from outbreak forecasting to the design of surveillance systems, One Health digital platforms, the role of network structure and multimodality, data-to-decision-making, population genomics, translational intelligence, and AMR surveillance -Indian scenario.

Hosting this conference reinforces MAHE's growing role as a global hub for health sciences research and reflects its commitment to advancing infectious disease research, international scientific collaboration, and evidence-based solutions to emerging public health challenges.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3^rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.

Ekya Vana Early Years, Haralur, Bengaluru - a nature-inspired space where children learn through exploration, play and connection with nature

Haralur is the programme’s third Bengaluru campus, following its centres in RMV Sanjay Nagar and Manyata Tech Park. The campus extends Ekya Vana Early Years’ nature-based approach to early childhood education in south-east Bengaluru.

The campus landscape includes mango, guava, chikoo, banana, coconut and pomegranate trees, alongside a butterfly garden where children can observe and engage with the natural environment.. Spaces such as the mud kitchen, nature workshop, eco lab and indoor atelier support hands-on exploration, creative expression and learning through experience.

As part of its planned eco-initiatives, the campus will also introduce a biopond. Once developed, it will give children opportunities to observe fish and explore how aquatic life interacts with plants and other elements of an ecosystem, helping them understand how different living things depend on one another.

At the heart of the programme is Earth Sense, an approach rooted in the belief that children are part of the natural world. Through its People & Planet and Earth Care pathways, Ekya Vana Early Years encourages children to explore their relationship with nature. The programme aims to make sustainability tangible through observation, inquiry and hands-on experiences, helping children understand how living systems are connected and why care for the environment matters.

“At Ekya Vana Early Years, we want children to grow up seeing nature not as something outside their lives, but as part of the world they belong to. In the early years, even simple experiences of observing a butterfly, exploring soil or noticing how plants grow can shape the way children relate to their surroundings. That connection is where we believe a lasting sense of care for the natural world begins,” said Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder, Ekya Schools.

Parents are invited to participate in sessions around food, nutrition and nature, creating opportunities to engage with the ideas that shape the programme.

The Haralur campus was unveiled at an event on September 19, attended by parents, prospective families and early childhood educators. The launch was also attended by Dr. K.C. Ramamurthy, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of the CMR Group of Institutions and CMR University, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, President of CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Chancellor of CMR University.

Admissions are open for children aged 18 months to 6 years. The campus is located at  10th, 13/57, Shubh Enclave, main, Haralur Main Rd, off Sarjapur Main Road, Haralur, Kasavanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka. 

About Ekya Vana Early Years

Ekya Vana Early Years is the nature-based preschool and daycare programme from Ekya Schools, part of the CMR Group of Institutions. Founded in 2025, it offers early learning for children aged 18 months to 6 years across three Bengaluru campuses: RMV Sanjay Nagar, Manyata Tech Park and Haralur.

Its Earth Sense approach encourages children to develop a connection with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and hands-on learning. Through its People & Planet and Earth Care pathways, the programme introduces children to ideas of interdependence, care and environmental responsibility from their earliest years.

In Picture: Conference participants, and staff from TBS and UCL
 

The conference welcomed heads of schools and educational leaders from international, CBSE and ICSE schools to examine the cultural dynamics that shape how teachers, students and communities experience school life. The programme combined interactive activities and hands-on experiences with research-based insights, alongside dedicated opportunities for self-reflection.
 

A key theme emerging from the conference was the role of school leaders in shaping environments where teachers can thrive and do their best for students. The programme encouraged participants to engage with complex challenges facing school leaders, exchange perspectives with peers and connect research-based insights with the realities of their own school communities.
 

“Over the past few days, we’ve grappled with challenging issues facing leaders in schools globally and here in India. Our participants have brought such passion and purpose to the conference and there’s been a huge amount of shared learning. A key takeaway from the conference has been that there are no easy answers but that leaders play a decisive role in creating the culture and conditions in which teachers are able to thrive and do their best for students,” said Greg Ross, Director, Global Development of Educational Leadership, UCL Centre for Educational Leadership.

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director, The British School New Delhi said, “The three-day Leadership Development Conference, led by experts from the UCL Centre for Educational Leadership in partnership with The British School New Delhi, brought together educational leaders from across the country. The deliberations focused on the opportunities and challenges faced by leaders in developing brave and resilient organisational cultures where educators thrive and human flourishing is the key objective. Inspirational and thought-provoking, the discussions will hopefully cascade through learning communities across the country.”
 

In Picture: Gregory Ross, Programme Director, Global Development of Educational Leadership, UCL Institute of Education, taking a session during the conference
 

The conference brought together The British School New Delhi’s experience as one of the top international schools in India with the expertise of the UCL Centre for Educational Leadership. The project was supported by UCL Global Engagement, which is following its development closely.
 

The conference provided participants with fresh perspectives on leadership and the complexities of introducing change within different school contexts. Through research-informed sessions and discussions with fellow educational leaders, delegates had the opportunity to challenge existing assumptions, explore context-specific approaches to change and reflect on how they could apply their learning to their own leadership journeys.
 

The Leadership Development Conference reflects a shared commitment to supporting educational leaders as they navigate the cultural and organisational factors that influence school communities and shape the experiences of teachers and students.
 

About University College London (UCL)
UCL is a global top 10 university, set up in London 200 years ago to offer education for all. Today, we gather 60,000 staff and students, from over 150 countries, to create a unique city within a city – a research and innovation powerhouse that leads the world in subjects spanning the arts, sciences, technology and the humanities. We’ve nurtured 33 Nobel Prize winners, because here, brave ideas have the scale and the support they need to succeed. We are University College London. And here, it can happen. The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is the world’s leading school of education and social science. In the 2026 QS subject rankings, the IOE was placed first in the world for education for the 13th consecutive year. 

For more information, please visit ucl.ac.uk.
 

About The British School New Delhi
The British School New Delhi is an inclusive, not-for-profit international school located in the heart of the diplomatic area of New Delhi. Founded in 1963 by the then British High Commissioner and his wife, the award-winning school offers high-quality education to British, expatriate and local families by drawing on the best facets of a rich and culturally diverse community. 

For more information, please visit www.british-school.org.

Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE (Centre), Prof. Rama Krishna Yelamanchiili (left) and Prof. M Meher Karuna (right) on the occasion of Poster and Information brochure launch

Prof. (Dr.) S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE, released the poster and brochure alongside Prof. (Dr.) Y Rama Krishna, Dean, Admissions and Branding, and Prof. (Dr.) M Meher Karuna, Dean, Academics. The Director also unveiled the revamped admissions webpage and released promotional reels made by PGDM students.

Six PGDM programmes, each with its own strength

Established in 1964 and working under the aegis of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, IPE offers six different two-year full-time PGDM programmes. These are approved by AICTE, accredited by NBA and SAQS, and accorded MBA equivalence by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). IPE is also a member of AACSB.

The PGDM (General) programme, offered since 1995, builds strong skills across all core areas of management in the first year and adds specialised skills through dual electives in the second year. PGDM (Marketing Management), offered since 2007, combines sales, digital marketing, brand management and consumer psychology with live projects that turn consumer insight into marketing strategy. PGDM (Banking and Financial Services), offered since 2008, gives students 50+ finance-related credits and hands-on work with financial databases such as Bloomberg and ProwessIQ. PGDM (International Business), offered since 2009, takes students on international study tours and port and industry visits to destinations such as Europe, Dubai and Malaysia for first-hand exposure to global markets. PGDM (Human Resource Management), offered since 2012, prepares students for people-management roles through mentoring, live HR projects and extended industry engagements. PGDM (Business Analytics), the institute’s newest programme, offered since 2024, trains students as business analysts by imparting hands-on training in SQL, Python, R, Power BI and Tableau, along with predictive analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence.

IPE also offers the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), a doctoral-level programme for first-class Master’s graduates. Selection is through qualification in NET / CAT, a research proposal and interview, and selected candidates receive an IPE fellowship.

Admission process and scholarships

Applicants need to possess a bachelor’s degree from a UGC recognised institution with at least 50 per cent marks (45 per cent for SC, ST and PC candidates). Valid scores in CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT or TGICET are accepted. Shortlisted candidates go through a psychometric test, a short essay, a group discussion and a personal interview.

Students can register and appear for upcoming management entrance tests that dates include CAT on November 29, 2026; MAT on December 20 and 27, 2026; XAT on January 3, 2027; and CMAT on February 7, 2027. IPE offers merit scholarships of up to Rs. 6 lakhs and sports and arts scholarships of up to Rs. 4 Lakhs. A special scholarship is available for students from the Northeastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Management education builds careers and leaders

Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director, IPE, said, “Management education must combine academic rigour with professional relevance. In a fast-changing economy, a good programme gives young people the judgement, skills and confidence to lead organisations and build careers that keep growing. He suggested prospective students to look at the legacy of IPE, its commitment to quality education and infrastructure and then decide to join the IPE.”

Talent should not be turned away for lack of means

Prof. (Dr.) Y Rama Krishna, Dean, Admissions and Branding, said, “We want merit students to join IPE regardless of their financial background. Our program fee is Rs. 9 lakhs for two years and all eligible and merit students will get scholarship ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 2 Lakhs. Our merit scholarships of up to Rs. 2 Lakhs and sports and cultural scholarships of up to Rs. 4 Lakhs recognise achievement inside and outside the classroom, and our special scholarship supports students from the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. In addition, for limited merit students IPE offers complete tuition fee waiver worth Rs. 6 lakhs.”

Placement preparation begins in the first year

Prof. (Dr.) M Meher Karuna, Dean, Academics, said: “Our placement results come from steady preparation over two years. Group discussions, interviews, resume building and communication training are part of the curriculum from the first year. Live projects, guest sessions and internships enable students meet industry well before they join it. More than 100 companies visit our campus every year, and recruiters tell us our graduates arrive ready to perform from day one on the job.”

Placements and campus

Each year more than 100 companies visit IPE for campus recruitment. IPE’s recent packages range from Rs. 5 lakh per annum at the lowest to a median of about Rs. 8 lakh and a highest of Rs. 23.5 lakh. Prominent Recruiters include Deloitte, PwC, TCS, Wipro, Oracle, Federal Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Wells Fargo, S&P Global, FactSet, DE Shaw, Colgate Palmolive, Heritage Foods, Amul, Dr. Reddy’s, Birla Opus, Tata Power, Naukri, Apple etc,

The 22-acre green campus at Shamirpet has digitally equipped classrooms with lecture-capture technology and a library of nearly one lakh books with access to premium research databases. Students can earn SAP and Bloomberg certifications at no additional cost. About 1,100 students study on campus, which has air-conditioned hostels, an indoor stadium, a FIFA-standard football ground and a yoga and wellness centre.

How to apply

Applications are open at admissions.ipeindia.org. Additional information is available at www.ipeindia.org. Call the toll-free number 1800-120-4473.

Distinguished experts at WECON 2026, hosted by Chitkara University, to advance conversations on engineering, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies

Held on the theme “AI Technologies for Societal and Industrial Transformation,” the conference explored how emerging AI technologies can address real-world challenges and create meaningful impact across industry, society, research, education and emerging technology ecosystems.

WECON 2026 was supported by the DST-sponsored Technology Enabling Centre at Chitkara University (CU-TEC), reinforcing the conference's focus on translating emerging technologies and research into meaningful applications for industry and society.

The two-day conference featured around 15 expert talks by distinguished speakers from leading academic institutions, national research laboratories and industry. Experts and professors from institutions including IITs, NITs, CSIR-CSIO and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, along with professionals from leading technology companies, shared perspectives on the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in Artificial Intelligence. Discussions placed particular emphasis on real-world applications and the transformative potential of AI.

The conference witnessed participation from across India and abroad, bringing together academicians, researchers, industry professionals, technology experts and innovators. International participation from the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany added diverse global perspectives to the discussions. HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences, Germany, served as the international partner, strengthening opportunities for global academic collaboration, knowledge exchange and future joint engagement.

The discussions moved beyond technological advancement to examine the responsible, sustainable and human-centric adoption of AI. Participants explored emerging trends and opportunities across sectors, while identifying potential avenues for collaboration between industry and academia, researchers and technology leaders, and institutions in India and abroad.

Reflecting on the evolution of WECON, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “For me, WECON’s evolution represents something very important — an institution must never stand still. It must continuously respond to new technologies, new opportunities and, most importantly, the changing needs of society and industry. The journey of WECON reflects that spirit.”

Over the years, WECON has evolved beyond the conventional academia-driven conference format into a curated platform for dialogue and collaboration among academia, industry, researchers, technology leaders and innovators. WECON 2026 further strengthened this approach by creating opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge, identify emerging trends and explore potential collaborations in AI and related technologies.

WECON 2026 reinforced Chitkara University’s commitment to strengthening industry–academia engagement, advancing research and innovation, and building global partnerships in emerging technologies. The conference also reflected the University's broader efforts to create internationally connected platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange and encourage technology-led transformation.

The two-day conference concluded with a renewed emphasis on collaboration, responsible innovation and translating AI research and expertise into meaningful solutions for industry and society.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in.

Neeraj Tulsyan, Founder Hubble Money

The partnership brings together TimBuckDo’s student community and Hubble’s digital ecosystem, with both companies looking to create more meaningful experiences and opportunities for students.

Mythri Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, TimBuckDo

Commenting on the partnership, Mythri Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO, TimBuckDo, said, “Creating earning and gig opportunities is one part of the experience we want to build for students. As a student-first company, we also believe in understanding and addressing the everyday needs and wants of this community. Through our partnership with Hubble, we can now bring relevant student discounts and offers to our users, giving them more value beyond the opportunities they find on TimBuckDo. For us, being student-first means not just helping students earn, but also helping them make the most of what they earn.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mayank, Founder, Hubble said, "Students are India's next generation of earners and spenders. Partnering with TimBuckDo lets us bring 500+ brands to over 700,000 students at the exact moment they earn. That is what rewards infrastructure is built for."

Mayank Bishnoi, Founder, Hubble Money

Hubble provides digital infrastructure for businesses across customer engagement, incentives and rewards-led programmes.

TimBuckDo is a Bangalore-based consumer tech company building the Pink Collar Economy through its network of verified, educated college students, or “Doers,” who address everyday household and business needs across India. Backed by Rukam Capital, Turbostart, Arjun Vaidya and Anupam Bansal, TimBuckDo has partnered with organisations including Decathlon, ONDC and Aditya Birla.

The partnership brings together TimBuckDo’s growing Doer community and Hubble’s ecosystem, while laying the foundation for future initiatives that can create additional value for students.

About TimBuckDo

TimBuckDo is Bangalore-based consumer tech building the Pink Collar Economy, an organised, on-demand layer of verified, educated college students ("Doers") solving everyday household and business convenience needs across India.

Every modern household has everyday needs like pet care, errands, child support, elder support, personal styling and shopping assistance, home management support, and quick business help, that call for educated, on-demand, flexible manpower beyond the traditional house-help or blue-collar labour category. TimBuckDo is that place.

The brand promise: "There's a Doer for that." Whatever the task, there's a verified, educated Doer ready to take it on, making everyday convenience simple, dependable, and just a tap away.

Backed by Rukam Capital, Turbostart, angel investors Arjun Vaidya and Anupam Bansal, and partnered with organisations including Decathlon, ONDC and Aditya Birla.

Website: www.timbuckdo.com

About Hubble

Hubble is a rewards and loyalty infrastructure platform based in India. Through its plug-and-play SDK and API, Hubble enables digital platforms to embed rewards stores and gift card programmes, with access to a catalogue of 500+ brands across 20+ categories, including food, fashion, travel, and entertainment.

Integrations can go live in under a week, and over 1,200 companies use Hubble to run rewards, incentives, and engagement programmes.

Website: www.myhubble.money

Instagram: @hubblemoney

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, VC, SRM AP and University leadership felicitating SRM AP faculty recognised among World Top 2% Scientists

The World’s Top 2% Scientists list is a prestigious global database compiled by researchers at Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier and based on Scopus citation metrics. This recognition reflects the scholarly contributions of researchers across engineering, environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, energy engineering, and interdisciplinary research. Their inclusion highlights the University’s growing research footprint and its ambition to strengthen its position as a research-intensive institution with global relevance.

Drawing from his own experience as a researcher, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University–AP, underscored the effort behind every scientific publication and the need to prioritise research quality and long-term impact over numerical metrics alone. He encouraged the awardees to build on their achievements, pursue focused research agendas and contribute to the University’s long-term ambition of significantly increasing the number of globally recognised scientists.

During the felicitation ceremony held on campus, Prof. Soumitra Datta, Advisor, SRM Group, highlighted the centrality of knowledge creation to a university’s identity. He said, “A university is about knowledge creation.” He noted that recognising researchers celebrates their dedication while inspiring colleagues to pursue higher levels of academic and research excellence. He added that a strong intellectual core is fundamental to building an excellent university.

Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Dean of Quality Assurance and Rankings (QAR), highlighted the significance of the achievement in strengthening the University’s global standing. He noted that research impact contributes to institutional rankings and stressed the importance of international collaborations, globally relevant research and translating academic work into meaningful outcomes while upholding academic integrity.

Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research, representing the research leadership, highlighted the growth from seven recognised researchers last year to 20 this year. He acknowledged the University leadership’s support in strengthening research and attracting academic talent, and expressed confidence that recognition would continue to grow in the coming years.

The 20 recognised faculty members include Prof. Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Dr Akash Balakrishnan, Dr Deblina Dutta, and Prof. Meththika Suharshini Vithanage in the research domain of Earth & Environmental Sciences; Dr Aditya Kumar Sahu, Dr Randhir Kumar, Dr Kshira Sagar Sahoo, Dr Prabhujit Mohapatra, and Prof. Saraju Mohanty in Information & Communication Technologies; Prof. Karthik Rajendran, Dr Vinodkumar Etacheri, Gunda Mohanakrishna, Prof. Lakshminarayana Polavarapu, and Prof. Upadrasta Ramamurty in Enabling & Strategic Technologies; Dr Sumit Kumar Mehta, Dr Basabendu Barman, and Prof. Yoshiyuki Kawazoe in Physics & Astronomy; Prof. Corrado Di Natale and Dr Sudip Pan in Chemistry; and Dr Pintu Bhunia in Mathematics & Statistics.

Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Registrar, noted that the recognition spans diverse research areas and encouraged the academic community to appreciate the distinct contributions researchers make within their respective disciplines. Deans, Directors and University leadership congratulated the honourees and emphasised that institutional recognition can motivate researchers to keep contributing meaningfully to their fields.

Founding members and industry leaders at the launch of the Global Skills Mobility Association of India (GSMAI) in New Delhi on 12 October 2026

Established as a not-for-profit Section 8 company limited by guarantee, GSMAI aims to build trust and coordination across the systems connecting Indian talent with global employment opportunities.

Recruitment, skilling, language training and employer engagement have long operated in separate lanes. GSMAI brings together 17 organisations across these areas: Ambe International, Magic Billion, VFS Global, Learnet Skills, Dynamic Staffing Services, 2COMS, Quess Corp, BorderPlus, Virohan, TeamLease Services, TERN Group, Adecco, Randstad India, UDS, CENTA, LeverageEdu and AnywhereJobs. The association seeks to strengthen coordination across the global skills mobility value chain, building trusted pathways from training to international employment.

The launch comes as working-age populations in Japan, Germany and Italy shrink and demand for international talent grows. India is well placed to respond: for every person aged 50 or above, India has approximately 1.4 people under 18, about five times Japan's ratio and roughly four times Germany's. Realising this demographic advantage requires ethical recruitment, language readiness, recognised qualifications, worker protection and stronger international partnerships.

Shri Vikram Misri, IFS, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, delivered the inaugural keynote and unveiled the GSMAI logo and website alongside the founding board.

Addressing the future of India's global skills mobility, Shri Vikram Misri said, “India’s skill mobility must not be treated as a one-way exit. We want our people to go abroad, experience, earn well, build networks and acquire technologies and return, or contribute to India from afar.”

The programme also featured a keynote by Shri Shashank Mani, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development, Parliament of India, who highlighted "There is almost a need for 65 to 70 million people globally, and India has a surplus of professionals of the 40 million variety. This mismatch has to be answered by institutions which are bringing them together."underscoring the opportunity to connect India's talent and skilling capabilities with evolving global workforce needs.

Ajay Khanna, Founding Chair, GSMAI, emphasised collective industry action to translate global demand into trusted pathways for international employment. He said, "We can treat global skills mobility as a series of transactions, or approach it as a national responsibility. We can remain suppliers, or become partners. GSMAI gives us the opportunity to choose credibility over convenience and institution-building over improvisation."

Mayank Kumar, CEO border plus ​"I think most states are coming to terms that it's not a volume game, it's a quality game.”

Neeti Sharma, CEO Teamlease "Skill is the currency that we need. The most important thing is ethical circular mobility and for you to have ethical circular mobility with the skills and with the kind of demand that is there in the world, it has to be digitally credentialised."

GSMAI's opportunity extends beyond connecting workers with overseas jobs. It lies in strengthening the systems linking workers seeking rewarding careers, employers seeking the right skills and countries addressing workforce needs. Better coordination across recruitment, training, qualification recognition and international partnerships can make mobility more transparent, responsible and mutually beneficial.

The launch also featured a diplomatic and industry dialogue on trusted talent corridors. Embassy representatives from Germany, Italy, Denmark and Switzerland joined industry leaders to discuss workforce demand, employer expectations, qualification recognition, language training, ethical recruitment and pathways connecting local skilling with overseas employment.

The state-level dimension was reflected in partnerships with the Governments of Maharashtra and Odisha, represented by Smt. Manisha Verma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, SEEID, Government of Maharashtra, and Shri Bhupendra Singh Poonia, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Government of Odisha, respectively. These collaborations aim to connect state-level talent and skilling initiatives with international employment opportunities.

Going forward, GSMAI will focus on ethical recruitment, market intelligence, amplifying the industry's collective voice and connecting recruiters, employers, training providers, governments and international partners. These priorities aim to strengthen trust and align skills development with international workforce requirements.

GSMAI's long-term ambition is to position India not merely as a source of global talent, but as a trusted partner in meeting the world's evolving workforce needs—creating opportunity for Indian workers, confidence for global employers and lasting value for countries on both sides of the mobility corridor.

Drawing a parallel with India's IT story, Arnab Bhattacharya, CEO, GATI Foundation, said, "In 1988, India's IT industry gave itself a name and a voice. It grew into a $315 billion industry employing 5.95 million people. Global skills mobility is at that same moment today. India has the young workforce and the world has the demand. What has been missing is an industry that can speak with one voice."

The launch marks the beginning of a collective effort to make global skills mobility more trusted, transparent and accessible, turning India's talent advantage into a lasting global opportunity.

About GSMAI

The Global Skills Mobility Association of India (GSMAI) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company limited by guarantee established to strengthen India's global skills mobility ecosystem. It brings together organisations across recruitment, skilling, language training and workforce mobility to bridge the gaps between talent, skills and global workforce demand through industry collaboration and trusted international partnerships.

The regional ‘Campus to Career’ Challenge brought together 133 students from Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Gujarat, who applied project leadership skills to real-world challenges, including waste segregation and sustainability awareness. Five top-performing students presented their solutions at the Project Management South Asia Conference (PMSAC26) in Bengaluru, presenting their work to project professionals and leaders from India and around the world. Additionally, four students gained global exposure at the PMI  Global Leadership Institute Meeting (LIM) in Seoul, taking their experiences beyond the classroom and into the global project management community.

Students at PMI, Leadership Institute Meeting 2026 in Seoul, South Korea

The initiative gave students a hands-on experience in solving problems rooted in their local communities. Students tackled sustainability and waste management challenges, identifying problems, mapping stakeholders, assessing risks and constraints, developing implementation plans and considering how outcomes could be measured. Students from Presidency University, Bengaluru, explored reducing groundwater dependency through integrated water resource management; L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad, developed a structured waste segregation initiative; while SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture, Pune, focused on building sustainable habits among school children.

Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, PMI, said, “The transition from campus to the workplace requires students to move beyond theoretical knowledge and develop the confidence to navigate ambiguity, collaborate with stakeholders and deliver outcomes. Through the Campus-to-Career Challenge, we are creating opportunities for students to experience these realities early in their journey. By combining practical problem solving with mentoring, leadership development and exposure to the project management community, we aim to help young talent build capabilities that will remain relevant across industries and geographies. Our focus is to strengthen the connection between academia and the professional world while preparing the next generation of project leaders.”

Reflecting on the experience, Abhin. A, a student leader from the PMI-DUK Student Club at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, said: “The Asia Pacific-South Asia Leadership Institute Meeting 2026 was a transformative experience that broadened my understanding of leadership, student engagement and community building. Representing PMI Kerala Chapter and PMI-DUK Student Club on an international platform gave me the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and connect with PMI leaders and student members across the region. The experience strengthened my confidence and inspired me to create more mentoring, leadership and collaboration opportunities within our student community.”

The challenge demonstrated how project leadership can help translate local needs into practical solutions, with students navigating collaboration, stakeholder expectations, changing assumptions and execution constraints. Participation from Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Gujarat also brought diverse regional perspectives to the programme. Through global professional platforms such as the PMI Leadership Institute Meeting in Seoul and PMSAC26, students can take their experiences addressing real-world challenges beyond the classroom, gaining exposure to diverse perspectives and a broader understanding of how project leadership can be applied across different contexts.

With over 25 student clubs and 1,800+ student members  across South Asia, PMI offers students an opportunity to learn, lead, and enhance project management skills for their careers. Students can join as PMI Student Members and become part of an existing Student Club, while universities interested in starting a new club can apply through the PMI Student Club program on projectmanagement.com.

PMI hosted the 18th annual PMSAC26 on 3 October in Bengaluru, bringing together more than 800 project leaders and representatives from over 180 organisations under the theme “MORE, Together: Future-Ready in the Age of AI.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the leading authority in project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the people and advanced practices behind successful projects. Supported by a global community of millions of project professionals and by thousands of corporations, government agencies and academic institutions, PMI provides the knowledge, resources and certifications to lead projects and transformations effectively and responsibly. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute.

PMI Trademarks

Project Management Institute and PMI are trademarks and/or registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc., in the U.S., in India, and/or in other countries.

Third Party Trademarks

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*PMI South Asia market includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan primarily.

MediaTek collaborates with ThinkStartup to launch ‘Future Minds’ CSR initiative

Powered by ThinkStartup and the Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), the initiative is designed for students in Classes 8 to 12. It will be rolled out across government and foundation-supported communities including Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and PM Shri Schools. 

The comprehensive program provides school students with a structured curriculum covering ideation, business fundamentals and finance. Alongside the core coursework, participants will benefit from live masterclasses hosted by IIT alumni founders, a guided TS Idea Lab, and monthly pitch days to refine their concepts. The initiative will culminate in May 2027 with a national showcase of student-led entrepreneurial ventures, coinciding with MediaTek's 30th anniversary globally. 

"MediaTek's business is built on enabling ideas to become technology that reaches a billion devices," said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India. "Future Minds extends that same belief to 6,000 young minds from underprivileged and government schools across 30 states, giving them the tools to turn their own ideas into ventures. Nurturing young builders is what MediaTek has always stood for, and initiatives like this naturally support India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat."

Mr. Sanjeeva Shivesh, Co-founder, ThinkStartup, added, "At ThinkStartup, we have always believed entrepreneurship is an essential life skill. MediaTek wanted an intervention that could be rolled out at a national scale, reaching youth from underprivileged backgrounds, and our eSchool platform fit perfectly with that vision. Over the next year, we will provide teenagers in Class 8 to 12 the chance to learn, build and pitch real ideas with real mentorship. We are grateful to MediaTek for backing this program, and we are hoping our youngsters will inspire the world with a slew of innovative solutions that take India forward." 

As the initiative begins its phased rollout across the country, it marks a significant step in democratizing entrepreneurship education. The MediaTek Future Minds program reinforces the company's broader commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment in India. 

Walkathon, an initiative that promotes mental health literacy by encouraging early recognition of mental health concerns

This walkathon is part of MAHE Bengaluru’s broader initiative to advance mental health literacy and well-being across the campus and community, and to foster supportive spaces where people can speak openly and seek help.

Held under the theme “Walk for Health: Steps Towards Better Mental Health,” the 5K walk brought together students, faculty, staff, healthcare professionals, local authority representatives, volunteers and community members. It highlighted the importance of early recognition, timely support and open conversations around mental well-being.

The need for stronger mental health support systems is increasingly evident in Bengaluru. A 2026 study involving students across higher education institutions highlighted the importance of institutional support, while counselling data identified anxiety, family conflict and academic stress among key concerns. The findings reinforce the need for a connected ecosystem that enables early recognition and appropriate care.

S. R. Vishwanath, MLA, Yelahanka Constituency, flagged off the walkathon in the presence of Dr Raghavendra Prabhu P., Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru, Dr Jothy S. Niraja, Chairwoman Maarga Mind Care, Mr Mahadev, Executive Engineer, Lake Division, BNCC, Yelahanka and Mr Chandu C N, President, Yelahanka United Environmental Association.

The walkathon also highlighted the connection between regular physical activity and mental well-being, encouraging participants to make movement part of everyday life to manage stress and support overall health. The organisers reiterated that seeking professional support is a sign of strength.

Addressing the gathering, MLA S.R. Vishwanath said, “Mental health must receive the same attention as physical health. Initiatives such as the MAHE Bengaluru Walkathon bring people together, encourage healthy habits and create much-needed awareness about mental well-being. Open conversations and strong community support are essential to building a healthier society.”

Dr Raghavendra Prabhu, Additional Registrar, MAHE Bengaluru, said, “At MAHE Bengaluru, we view mental health and well-being as an essential part of a meaningful student and campus experience. This initiative reflects our effort to build greater understanding, empathy and access to support through sustained engagement with students, healthcare partners and the wider community.”

Dr Jothi Neeraja, Founder, Chairwoman and Managing Director, Maarga Mind Care, said, “Bengaluru has built a strong ecosystem around healthcare, education and innovation, and mental health needs to be an equally important part of that progress. Our vision is to build a city where mental health concerns are recognised early, people feel confident seeking help, and quality care is accessible when it is needed. We need to move from responding only when distress becomes a crisis to recognising concerns earlier and making the right care easier to access. Mental healthcare cannot remain confined to hospitals or specific awareness days. It needs to become part of how individuals, families, educational institutions and workplaces think about overall health. Maarga is committed to strengthening this continuum in Bengaluru, from early recognition through treatment, recovery and beyond.”

Participants began the day with a warm-up session before completing the walk around the Allalasandra Lake loop. The event was organised by MAHE Bengaluru in association with Maarga Mind Care, its mental health and well-being partner, with support from the Volunteer Services Organisation, National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps and Manipal Hospitals.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of Family First and the Varkey Foundation
 

That strong emphasis on family bonding extends across generations. Seventy-six per cent of children say they would like to spend more time with their grandparents – the highest percentage globally – while 85% of parents say they spend time with their own parents at least once a week, and 65% say they do so every day, both the highest percentages of all countries surveyed. Yet despite this strong commitment to family life, only 22% of Indian children say they are satisfied with the amount of quality family time they have – the lowest percentage of all countries surveyed.

The findings come from the world’s first global intergenerational study of family bonding, surveying children, parents, Gen Z, and grandparents. It features the world’s first Family Bonding Index, which assigns countries a score based on the strength of family connections.

Family First is a global movement launched by the Varkey Foundation to strengthen intergenerational bonds between children, parents and grandparents, with the aim of building stronger communities across generations.

Launched by Sunny Varkey, founder of GEMS Education, the movement reflects a longstanding commitment to fostering strong family values and encouraging greater support between children and parents, contributing to healthier and longer lives. It is rooted in the belief that education goes far beyond academic achievement – it shapes values and develops not only students, but future parents, future leaders, and stronger societies.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of Family First and the Varkey Foundation, said, “This landmark report clearly show that family bonds are under strain. Economic pressures, conflict, geographical distance and technological change all make it harder for families to spend meaningful time together. Across many societies, this is contributing to weaker intergenerational relationships, greater loneliness among older people and less time shared between children, parents and grandparents. Yet the family remains the most fundamental building block of every community, making it more important than ever to understand, protect and strengthen these relationships.”

Family remains central across generations

Family life remains deeply embedded in everyday life for many Indian households.

Eighty-one per cent of parents say that during a typical family meal, “everyone is talking together” – the second highest percentage of all countries surveyed after France (84%).

Seventy-nine per cent of grandparents say they often spend meaningful time with their families – the third highest percentage globally after Argentina (83%) and Brazil (80%).

Forty-one per cent of grandparents say their family typically spends 11 hours or more a week enjoying quality time together – the highest percentage of all countries surveyed.

Grandparents also remain closely integrated into family life. Seventy-six per cent live with their family – the second highest percentage globally after Malaysia (78%) – while 65% say they see their grandchildren in person every day, the second highest percentage after Malaysia (68%).

Seventy per cent say spending more time with their grandchildren would make a big difference to their happiness – the highest percentage of all countries surveyed.

Busy schedules and competing demands are putting pressure on family time

Despite that strong emphasis on family connection, competing demands appear to be putting pressure on time together.

Twenty-nine per cent of children say their parents are too busy to spend time with them – the highest percentage of all countries surveyed.

Forty-three per cent say homework or studying is what most often prevents them from spending more time bonding as a family – the joint second highest percentage globally after Kenya.

Twenty-three per cent say school, activities or expectations take time away from family life “a lot” or “all the time” – the second highest percentage of all countries surveyed after the UAE (27%).

Parents and grandparents also identify children’s schedules as a major challenge. Forty-four per cent of parents and 54% of grandparents say children’s schedules are what most often prevent them from spending more time bonding as a family – the highest percentages of all countries surveyed on both measures.

Even so, 60% of children say their family often makes time for each other despite busy schedules – the second highest percentage globally after Nigeria (81%).

Screens are a growing source of concern

Digital devices have emerged as a major source of concern across generations.

Seventy per cent of parents say screen time and digital devices have harmed their family’s opportunity to bond – the second highest percentage of all countries surveyed after Brazil (74%).

Among grandparents, 60% say the same – the fourth highest percentage globally after Brazil (71%), Malaysia (71%) and the UAE (66%).

Forty-five per cent of children say screen time is what most often prevents them from spending more time bonding as a family – the third highest percentage of all countries surveyed after Sweden (51%) and Malaysia (50%).

Forty-seven per cent say screens have done more harm than good to their family life – the third highest percentage globally after the UAE (52%) and Sweden (49%).

Seventy-four per cent of grandparents believe children today are being raised more by screens than family – the third highest percentage of all countries surveyed.

Children feel supported, but pressure remains high

Children report strong emotional awareness from parents, even alongside time pressures.
 

Fifty-nine per cent say their parent or parents always notice when they are upset or struggling – the joint highest percentage of all countries surveyed alongside Nigeria.

Parents also appear highly engaged in children’s education. Twenty-nine per cent say they help their children with homework for more than seven hours a week – the second highest percentage globally after Nigeria (30%).

Wider systems are seen as supportive

Compared with many other countries, Indian families are relatively positive about how wider systems support family life. Eighty per cent of parents say societal systems such as work, school and technology support family life – the second highest percentage of all countries surveyed after Nigeria (81%). Among grandparents, that rises to 82% – the highest percentage globally.

Thirty-eight per cent of parents and 37% of grandparents say government policies on stronger guidance or limits on children’s screen use and online safety would help their families spend more quality time together – the highest percentages of all countries surveyed.

 The Family First Global Survey 2026: www.varkeyfoundation.org/family-first.

Chancellor felicitating the Chief Guest

The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), Former Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, who served as the Chief Guest. Addressing the graduating class, he shared golden words of wisdom that the students would carry with them into the next chapter of their lives.

“Your compass is competence. Your anchor is character. Your sail is courage. And your course is guided by dharma. Somaiya Vidyavihar University has given you more than a professional education; it has given you the opportunity to encounter different disciplines. Carry that breadth with you. Do not become merely employable. Become useful. Do not become merely successful. Become significant. And do not ask only, ‘What can I get from India?’ Ask also, ‘What can I give to India?,” said Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.).

Students at Somaiya Vidyavihar University have had opportunities to explore interests beyond their primary fields. Through initiatives like 120+ Basket Courses, more than 4,000 students have participated in credit-bearing courses spanning sports, literature, languages, nature, aesthetic arts, Indian knowledge systems and spiritual traditions. An engineering student can study Indian philosophy, while a commerce student can take swimming or yoga as part of the academic programme. Through the REACH Fellowship, students have also spent months in rural Maharashtra and Gujarat understanding local communities and developing community-led solutions around issues including water stewardship and sustainable development.

For others, learning has meant taking an idea from the classroom into the real world. Orion Racing India has developed more than 20 race cars and participated in over 30 national and international competitions, with successive student teams building on the work of those before them. The University’s 10+ research centres provide opportunities to work across areas including computational chemistry, biology, materials science, artificial intelligence and environmental research. Through riidl and BioRiidl, more than 380 entrepreneurs have been supported, with INR 198 crore in total investments facilitated. Beyond the classroom, students also pursue sports, with training across 22 sports. More than 10,000 students pursue sports, with over 3,500 representing the institution at district, state, national and international levels. This includes participation in events such as the FISU World University Squash Championship, where Somaiya students represented India at the international university level.

Together, these experiences reflect the University's guiding philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates, and its approach to education, one that encourages students to think, explore and apply knowledge beyond the classroom.

The question of what students carry with them beyond their degrees was also central to the address by Samir Somaiya, Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Speaking to the graduating class, he shared a traditional Sanskrit blessing that he felt captured some of the qualities he wished for them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

“बुद्धिर्बलं यशोधैर्यं निर्भयत्वमरोगताम् । अजाड्यं वाक्पटुत्वं च हनुमत्स्मराणाद्भवेत् ॥ .” Explaining the blessing, he said, “May the Almighty give you wisdom; strength; patience; fearlessness; good health; alertness and clarity of thought; and eloquence in speech.”

He then spoke about the kind of education the University seeks to provide through three ideas: “We've always wanted to build what we call Pesha, Soch, aur Charitra, a fantastic skillset in your chosen field, a wide world of thinking, and strong character,” he said.

Prof. Ajay Kapoor, Vice-Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, encouraged the graduating class to connect their abilities with a larger purpose. “Find something you are passionate about, something that is also your natural skill. Bring them together and solve society's problems. Do something that society, humanity, people need today and tomorrow. The fundamentals are very simple: if you do something that people want, people will hold you in high esteem. They will need you. They will pay for what you are providing. That gives you a living and a very, very fulfilling life,” he said.

The thought extends the idea of education beyond choosing a profession. The years at university can help students recognise what they are good at, what gives them energy and where those abilities can have practical value.

He also placed this advice in the context of a rapidly changing world, where technology is altering how knowledge is accessed and used. “Artificial intelligence will give you all the knowledge, much faster, much better organised, on anything you desire. But it is the wisdom, the Gyan, that you have to develop,” he added.

For the 3,279 graduates of the Class of 2026, the 5th Convocation marks the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. They leave with their degrees, but also with the experiences, relationships and perspectives gathered along the way. Through these experiences, they truly embrace the meaning of Somaiya Vidyavihar University's philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates. They now step into the world with the belief that what they have learned will shape their paths, help them become better individuals and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Radhika Bordia, Journalist; Ashwin Yardi, Non-Executive Chairman, Capgemini India; Chetna Sinha, Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation & Mann Deshi Mahila Bank; Ravi Sreedharan, Founder & President, ISDM

Among the voices contributing to the day's conversations were Ashwin Yardi, Non-Executive Chairman of Capgemini India; Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation; and Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President, ISDM. Their perspectives reflected the breadth of the development ecosystem and the different institutional, community and leadership dimensions required to sustain social change.

DoDM 2026 explored a fundamental question facing the social sector: while many organisations create meaningful change, far fewer are able to sustain it. Programmes can lose momentum, reforms can unravel, and movements can struggle beyond funding cycles or changes in leadership. The fourth edition examined what enables change to endure across organisations, systems and communities.

The day's conversations spanned four interconnected tracks across governance, government systems, funding and impact: “Building Institutions, Not Just Organisations”, which examined the governance, leadership and resilience needed for institutions to endure beyond individuals and funding cycles; “From Schemes to Systems”, which explored how public systems can become more adaptive and capable of sustaining change at scale; “Funding the Future We Say We Want”, which examined the funding relationships and forms of capital needed to support long-term change; and “What is Impact Beyond the Numbers?”, which explored how the sector can move beyond outputs to understand whether change is truly taking root and enduring over time.

Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson, Mann Deshi Bank and Mann Deshi Foundation, said, “For social change to last, communities must have the agency, institutions and resources to shape their own futures. Our experience with rural women has shown that financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and community institutions can root change in people's lives. Lasting change is about creating the conditions in which communities can continue to lead, adapt and expand their own progress.”

Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and President, ISDM, said, "Social change may happen because of good programmes or even good individuals. But for social change to last, it needs Social Purpose Organisations that are resilient and equipped to work over long periods in specific geographies or on specific issues. That is where Development Management comes in: strengthening the leadership, management and organisational capabilities that keep them effective as they grow and contexts change. DoDM 2026 is an effort to bring these questions to the centre of the sector's conversation."

Sharad Agarwal, Co-Founder, ISDM, added, “Sustaining social change requires a greater focus on the systems that development programmes operate within. Outcomes endure when those systems are accountable and responsive to the communities they serve, and when we invest in what carries progress forward, not just in what a programme delivers today."

Since its inaugural edition in 2023, DoDM has grown into a platform for conversations on Development Management, with 4,000+ participants, 400+ speakers and moderators, 270+ research papers presented and 50+ track partners across its editions. DoDM 2026 featured plenary conversations, Development Management Cases, masterclasses, research paper presentations, interactive discussions and Development Management Clinics, creating multiple formats for participants to engage with real questions of organisational and systemic change.

DoDM 2026 brought together diverse perspectives to deepen the conversation on what it takes to move from creating change to sustaining it. By examining the institutional, systemic, financial and impact dimensions of social change, the convening sought to advance a more enduring approach to development, one that enables organisations, systems and communities to build, adapt and carry progress forward over time.

About Indian School of Development Management (ISDM)

Since 2016, ISDM has prepared leaders with functional expertise, managerial judgment, and ethical responsibility to build strong, resilient social purpose organizations that create sustained impact at scale. Its work is anchored in three core efforts: leadership development through its flagship Post Graduate Program in Development Management, advancing Development Management as a distinct discipline integrating management, social science, public policy, and practice, and ecosystem capacity building across NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, and policy spaces.

SDM develops leaders who solve complex social challenges and strengthen institutions across India’s development ecosystem. As the institutional home of Development Management, ISDM integrates leadership, management and development practice to drive social transformation at scale.

PGP-DM

ISDM's Post Graduate Program in Development Management (PGP-DM) prepares leaders to take on India's most complex development challenges, and build the conviction and capability required to lead India’s social transformation. The 11-month program is spread over eight terms, and combines development perspectives with management rigor to equip you with the skills, knowledge and empathy required to lead work with real impact at scale.

What if students did not all have to learn the same thing, in the same way, at the same time?

GEMS Education, one of the oldest and largest private K-12 education providers, has unveiled GR8 School, a global-first model combining hyper-personalised AI-powered learning with specially trained teachers (human mentors) and real-world expertise. Drawing on almost seven decades of educational experience, more than 10,000 educators and school leaders, and pathways that have taken GEMS graduates to more than 2,000 universities across 71 countries, including all eight Ivy League universities in the US and all 24 Russell Group universities and colleges in the UK, GEMS brings significant scale, experience and educational expertise to the new model. 

Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education

Since its origin in 1959, GEMS has pioneered education in the UAE, from offering international curricula across schools at a range of price points to developing new models such as GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI). More than 500,000 GEMS alumni have gone on to become unicorn founders, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, scientists, academics, creatives and leaders across industries, with graduates progressing to the world’s leading universities. Its mission has remained constant: to see the potential in every child and evolve education to help them realise it. 

GEMS Education unveils GR8 School, a world-first fusion of AI, teachers and industry experts reinventing education

GR8 is the latest expression of that legacy of innovation and educational firsts. It will initially operate as a “school within a school”, creating a distinct pathway within existing school communities.

The 8 October unveiling comes as Dubai’s leadership explores new approaches to education and how future school models can respond to changing student needs and the world of work.

What makes GR8 School a pioneering education model?
The GR8 School will bring together three connected parts of a student’s education:

Hyper-personalised learning: Students use AI-powered learning that allows them to work through core academic material at their own pace, rather than every student following a fixed timetable. The learning system will continually assess a student’s progress, identifying what they have mastered, where they need additional support, and where they are ready to be challenged further.

World-class teachers (Human Mentors): Real-time data provided by the adaptive learning systems empower teachers to be able to spend most of their time on high-impact 1:1 support instead of teaching an entire class at the same time, as well as on delivering all practical aspects of the curriculum. Teachers will remain responsible for academic rigour while also providing the inspiration, mentorship and human connection central to a child’s growth.

Real-world pathways: Working backwards from each student’s interests and possible future ambitions, GR8 will connect students with relevant specialists, industry experts, practitioners, projects and experiences that help turn what they learn into what they can do. Alongside academic study, the model will place deliberate emphasis on critical thinking, communication, teamwork, financial literacy, and practical life skills, while creating direct pathways from education to further study, entrepreneurship and future employment.

Together, these people will form the GR8 Learning Collective – a wider human team of teachers, specialists, practitioners bringing industry and experts closer to students.

A different learning day: The GR8 model is being designed around a more flexible use of time. Students will combine asynchronous, AI-enabled self-paced learning with approximately 90 minutes to two hours of synchronous, teacher-led learning, supported by real-world experts and globally recognised specialists. This will be complemented by a further two to three hours of enhanced enrichment programmes, creating more time for deeper specialist learning, projects, practical application, collaboration, creativity, sport, the arts and other areas of personal development.

Transformative education should meet the needs of the learners where they are and give families meaningful choice. GR8 is being developed to operate across different GEMS school segments and price points. While final fees will vary by school, market and model and will be confirmed closer to launch, current indicative annual fee ranges are approximately USD 8,000–10,000 for affordable offerings and USD 20,000–40,000 for premium offerings. (Fees may vary by market).

GR8 builds on principles already embedded across GEMS – personalised support, strong teacher-student relationships, character, critical thinking and learning beyond the classroom – as well as existing enrichment programmes and opportunities, bringing them together in a more focused and structured model.

It will offer families a distinctive new choice, designed for students who may thrive in a more personalised, flexible and independently driven learning environment.

The visionary behind the model, Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education, said, “For almost seven decades, we have evolved continually because the world our children are growing into keeps evolving. Throughout that journey one thing has never changed: the teacher has remained at the heart of a child’s learning and growth. A teacher provides inspiration, encouragement, judgement and human connection. That relationship remains fundamental."

“Today, artificial intelligence is changing how we learn and work, but the answer cannot simply be to put more technology into classrooms. We have to ask a bigger question: if we were designing education for young people today, knowing how rapidly the world around them is changing, what would we do differently?"

“GR8 is our answer to that question. It starts with the individual child and asks what combination of technology, great teachers, industry experts and real-industry experiences will help that young person achieve academically and discover what they could become."

“GR8 is not for everyone, nor is it intended to be. No single model of education is right for every child. We are making this pathway available to all our families, but we expect it will appeal to a select group of students who are ready for greater independence, personalisation and ownership of their learning. For the right student, we believe it can be transformative."

“Technology can help us understand and personalise how a child learns. But education is, and will always remain, deeply human. Our ambition with GR8 is to bring many worlds together around the learner."

“We want young people to leave school with excellent qualifications, but also with something more: the confidence to apply what they know, the judgement to think for themselves, and the skills, experiences and relationships that can help them turn their potential into possibility.”

The first GR8 School will soft launch in January 2027, with GEMS using the interim period to continue developing and testing the systems behind the model, including its learning technology, academic model, teacher and guide roles, and network of specialist and industry expertise, with further details to be announced closer to launch.

Spardha Team-Pavan Malpani, Rikhil Jain, Saurabh Srivastav, Dr. Amrita Srivastav & Saurbah Tomar

As technology reshapes education, Spardha is combining its teacher-led model with technology-enabled practice, feedback and progress tracking to create a more continuous and personalized learning experience. The new training platform is built on Spardha’s core one-on-one learning model, keeping teachers at the heart of the learning journey. Its enhanced classroom experience introduces features such as backing tracks, music tools, and student–teacher sync mode, making online music and dance learning more seamless, engaging, and effective. 

Students can access assignments, practice videos and music sheets beyond their scheduled classes as well, while tools such as the metronome, tabla, virtual keyboard, mridangam and tanpura support guided and independent practice. AI-powered session notes and monthly progress reports help students track their development and identify areas that require attention, while real-time AI-powered feedback during practice provides additional guidance.

It also monitors the quality and consistency of each teacher’s session delivery, ensuring a high standard of session hygiene. In addition, it enables continuous teacher upskilling through personalized learning journeys tailored to each teacher’s current skills, performance, and quality of service, supporting ongoing professional development.

“Technology is not replacing the music teacher. It amplifies the ability of teachers to personalize, engage and create better learning outcomes. The future of music education lies in combining the human connection and expertise of a good teacher with the data-driven intelligence of technology to deliver a deeply personalized learning journey for every student,” - Saurabh Srivastav, Founder, Spardha Learning.

The platform brings together discovery, practice and performance of thousands of new songs through Spardha’s proprietary AI based performance platform Jam Station with exciting features such as AI powered self-assessment that enable students to practice independently, evaluate their skills at run time and build greater confidence in their musical abilities. The learning journey extends beyond practice through Spardha’s phygital performance platform, which gives students regular opportunities to perform before a global audience of fellow students, teachers, parents and music enthusiasts, apply what they learn, gain real performance experience and build confidence.

The technology expansion is backed by Spardha’s growing business scale. The company currently generates close to INR 60 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and is targeting INR 100 crore+ ARR by FY 2027-28 by scaling its operations from the current 55,000+ monthly live sessions capacity to 1,00,000 sessions per month by FY 2027-28. Over the longer term, Spardha is targeting to acquire 1 lakh active users globally and scale its operations to deliver 3 lakh live sessions per month by 2030. Beyond technology, Spardha is addressing key gaps in performing arts education through professionally trained teachers, structured learning and multiple unique formats of performance opportunities. Its ecosystem combines live instruction, guided practice, technology-enabled feedback, progress tracking and personalised learning, transforming music education from a weekly class into an ongoing continuous learning & performing journey.

About Spardha School of Music

Spardha School of Music is a global Performing Arts EdTech platform offering personalised, one-on-one live learning experiences in music and performing arts. Founded with the vision of becoming the most trusted platform for performing arts education globally, Spardha combines an outcome-oriented curriculum, qualified professional teachers and a technology-enabled learning ecosystem.

Azeez Gupta, Rocket Learning; Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Govt. of Punjab; Radhika Jha, Govt. of India; Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Govt. of Odisha; Rakhi, Parent from Sonipat
 

Amongst the esteemed speakers and guests were distinguished leaders including Dr. M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog; Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India; Amanda Devercelli, Former Global Early Childhood Development Head, World Bank Group; Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; Radhika Jha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; Dr. Dinesh Arora, Principal Specialist at the Asian Development Bank, and Dr. Abhijeet Singh, Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and Board Member (Education), J-PAL. They were joined by Dr. Shena Aggarwal, Special Secretary-cum-Director, Dept. of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Govt. of Punjab; Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Dept. of Women and Child Development, Govt. of Odisha and senior officials of the Women and Child Development departments of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh; leaders from OpenAI, TRYST at IIT Bombay, and SIRA; and Rocket Learning co-founders Azeez Gupta, Namya Mahajan, Siddhant Sachdeva, and Utsav Kheria.

Delivering the keynote discussion on reducing the administrative burden on Anganwadi workers in India, Dr. M. Srinivas, Member, NITI Aayog, said, "Frontline workers like Anganwadi staff should not be burdened solely with administrative tasks and manual record-keeping. Technology and policy changes must simplify their workload so they can focus on their primary mission: directly nurturing mothers and children."

Speaking on targeted AI interventions for vulnerable families, Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India, said, "The true power of AI lies in data-driven empathy. Down to the village and hamlet level, AI can help us identify red flags such as family migration or food scarcity, thus enabling targeted, local-level support for the most vulnerable children and families before they fall behind."

Speaking about the vision behind building Udaan as a cross-sector platform, Rocket Learning’s co-founders, Azeez Gupta, Namya Mahajan, Siddhant Sachdeva, and Utsav Kheria, in a joint statement said, “Every child deserves more than simply surviving the early years - they deserve the opportunity to thrive. We have witnessed the possibilities of Anganwadi educators, pre-school teachers and parents working together as one coherent unit to change children’s trajectories. Udaan 2026 was about moving from surviving to thriving, and the conversations on evidence, investment and technology reinforced that India has both - the ideas and the will - to make this possible at scale. Rocket Learning remains committed to supporting India’s early learning ecosystem, with Udaan 2026 marking an important milestone in this journey.”

Discussions throughout the day addressed how to best reform and enable Anganwadis, better invest in early childhood development, lessons from academia, and the role of technology in supporting the youngest children. The conference also saw the launch of results and lessons from the evaluation of a highly successful, technology-based homegrown early childhood development model, presented by Dr. Abhijeet Singh, and extended a platform to showcase stories of Anganwadi educators and parents.

Udaan 2026 reinforced that the case for ECCE is clearly established. The task now is to translate that understanding into action at scale - with rigour, compassion and a commitment to every child.

About Rocket Learning

Rocket Learning is one of India’s largest early learning non-profits focused on transforming early childhood and foundational learning outcomes at scale. Eighty-five percent of brain development happens before the age of six, making early learning extremely critical. By leveraging technology, behavioral insights, and strong government partnerships, Rocket Learning empowers parents, teachers, and frontline educators to drive measurable improvements in children’s learning. Working directly with government systems across 15 states and union territories and 200+ districts, since 2020 the organization has impacted 6 million children between birth and 6 years of age, across more than 500,000 classrooms, including 400,000 Anganwadi educators. Through responsible use of AI and digital innovation, Rocket Learning is striving to make quality early education accessible, inclusive, and effective for every child, with the aim to positively impact 50 million underserved children by 2030.

For more information, visit rocketlearning.org.

The CoA National Awards for Excellence 2026 Jury Begins at Manipal University Jaipur

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Ar. Naveen Kanithi, Vice President, CoA; Shri Deepak Kumar, Registrar, CoA; Ar. Jayashree Deshpande, Director, CoA-TRC and Convenor; and Ar. Bhavna Vimawala, Member, CoA. Representing Manipal University Jaipur were Cdr. (Dr) Anil Rana, Pro President, MUJ; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, MUJ; Prof. (Dr) Kuldip Singh Sangwan, Dean, FoSTA; Prof. (Dr) Madhura Yadav, Dean, DSW ; and Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar, Director, School of Architecture & Design, along with faculty members and 220 student participants from MUJ and architecture institutions across India.

Dr. Pooja Lalit Kumar, Director, School of Architecture & Design welcomed all dignitaries and said that students and faculty members of the school had put in their best efforts to make the national event a success. She noted that the world-class infrastructure and academic environment at Manipal University Jaipur provide an ideal setting for an event of national stature and offer participating students an opportunity to showcase and explore their creative and academic potential.

Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President, Manipal University Jaipur delivered the presidential address. He highlighted the achievements of Manipal University Jaipur in research, academic excellence and its global footprint in ranking and accreditations. He appreciated the efforts of School of Architecture and Design and thanks Council of Architecture for choosing Manipal University Jaipur for this national event. 

The exhibition presents a diverse spectrum of architectural ideas, highlighting innovative design thinking, contextual sensitivity, sustainability and contemporary approaches to the built environment. It provides a platform for young architects to showcase their academic explorations, exchange ideas and engage with distinguished professionals and academicians.

The event also highlights the evolving role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in architectural education, while emphasising the continued importance of critical thinking, creativity, contextual understanding and empathy in design.

Reaffirming the School of Architecture & Design’s vision of being “locally invested but globally relevant”, the event underscores the importance of preparing future architects who remain rooted in their cultural and environmental contexts while equipped to address emerging global challenges.

The School of Architecture & Design extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. N. N. Sharma, President, Manipal University Jaipur for his valuable support and encouragement in making the event possible.

A press conference of the event was presided by the Council of Architecture at The Lalit Jaipur in presence of the President CoA, Executive committee Council of Architecture, along with the convenors and coordinators of the event from CoA and Manipal University Jaipur. Prof (Ar) Kiran S Mahajani, addressed the press briefing on the process of the CoA awards, the selection and evaluation. He also emphasised on creating platforms to promote the efficiency of built environment to the grass root levels, emphasising not just urban but also at rural levels.

The jury proceedings and Award Ceremony will be held on 9 October 2026, marking the culmination of the two-day event and recognising outstanding student achievements in architectural education.

DesignUp Day at Chitkara University bringing together creative minds, diverse perspectives and a shared belief in designing with purpose

The event offered students an opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse fields and explore design beyond conventional boundaries. The sessions featured Alysha Naples, Designer Artist Coach Somatic Practitioner, Shiva Vishwanathan, Curator Director, DesignUp; Niteesh Yadav, AVP Design and Research, Pocket FM; and Meru Vashisht, Human-Centered Design Lead, International Rescue Committee.

Through engaging sessions and interactions, the speakers shared perspectives drawn from design, technology, storytelling, human-centred practice and social impact. Students explored how observation, empathy, experimentation and interdisciplinary thinking can influence the way designers understand people, identify problems and develop relevant solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-founder, Chitkara University, said, “Design is not simply about creating what looks good; it is about understanding what matters. When students learn to observe closely, question thoughtfully and design with empathy, they begin to see possibilities where others may see limitations. Platforms such as DesignUp give our students the opportunity to engage with practitioners who bring different experiences and perspectives, helping them understand the responsibility and possibilities that come with being a designer.”

The conversations also encouraged students to reflect on the changing role of designers in a world shaped by technology, social complexity and evolving human needs. By bringing together perspectives from creative practice, emerging technologies and social impact, DesignUp Day highlighted the value of interdisciplinary thinking in developing thoughtful and relevant design responses.

For students of Chitkara Design School, the event served as a valuable opportunity to learn directly from accomplished practitioners, gain insights into contemporary design practice and connect academic learning with real-world challenges.

DesignUp Day at Chitkara University reinforced the idea that meaningful design begins with understanding of people, contexts and the problems that shape everyday life and grows through curiosity, experimentation and purpose.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in.

MOU Signing & File Exchange between SNPSU and Google Cloud, with Shanoop, Head, Google AI GTM, India, and G. D. Manoj, Pro-Chancellor, SNPSU

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening AI education, research and industry engagement by giving students exposure to emerging technologies and practical applications of intelligent systems. It also seeks to build capabilities that enable students and faculty to engage meaningfully with the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Shanoop, Head, Google AI GTM, India, said, the collaboration represents the beginning of a broader vision for technology-led education. He highlighted the potential of the initiative to serve as a model for progressive institutions looking to integrate emerging technologies into academic learning and prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven world.

G. D. Manoj, Pro-Chancellor, SNPSU, emphasized the need to view AI not merely through the lens of its impact on employment, but as a powerful tool for extending human capability. He noted that educational institutions have an important role to play in helping students understand AI, use it responsibly and harness its potential to create meaningful solutions for society.

Reinforcing the importance of integrating AI across disciplines, Dr. Jayanthi V,Vice Chancellor, SNPSU, highlighted the growing relevance of emerging technologies across higher education, including medicine and allied health sciences. She pointed to applications of AI in areas such as research, diagnostics, teaching and learning, and emphasized the need to embed AI capabilities within curricula while simultaneously strengthening faculty development, student training, research and innovation.

The partnership brings together Google Cloud, Google for Education and Google AI expertise, creating opportunities to connect academic learning with industry knowledge, technology platforms and real-world applications. Navisha Prabhakar, Regional Head – South, Google for Education, highlighted the role of technology-enabled education in helping institutions and learners respond to the changing demands of the future.

For SNPSU, the collaboration is part of a larger institutional effort to build a stronger foundation for AI education, research, innovation and industry collaboration. Dr. H. Ramakrishna, Registrar, SNPSU, Dr. Prashanth Kumar H. P., Director – Marketing, SNPSU and Shashank K R, Director – Admissions, SNPSU, were part of the university leadership supporting the initiative and its broader institutional vision.

The industry dimension of the collaboration is further strengthened through the participation of Surya Nigam – Google, and the CloudReign team, bringing technology expertise and industry perspectives into the partnership.

Deshmukh Omkar, OSD – Tech Partnerships, SNPSU, has been closely involved in developing the university’s technology partnerships and in strengthening the institution’s engagement with emerging technology ecosystem.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at Google Bengaluru-Ananta campus, in the presence of Dr. A. M. Nagaraja, Registrar – Evaluation, SNPSU and Dr. Mahendrababu, Dean, SoET, SNPSU; along with senior representatives from SNPSU, Google for Education and CloudReign.

The collaboration marks an important step in SNPSU’s vision to create an academic environment where emerging technologies are not simply studied, but actively explored, applied and developed through education, research and industry engagement.

Building the next chapter of AI-led education

The Agentic AI programme is envisioned as the starting point of a broader initiative at Sapthagiri NPS University—one that brings together learning, research, industry expertise and innovation to prepare students to participate meaningfully in an AI-driven world.

For SNPSU, the partnership represents more than the introduction of a new programme. It is a move towards making emerging technology an integral part of the university experience and creating a stronger bridge between what students learn today and the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Dignitaries present in the Inaugural session of the FDP at Manipal University Jaipur

The programme was formally inaugurated in the presence of Pro-President Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana; Director CDOE, Dr. Mallikarjun Gaddapa; Dean Faculty of Management, Commerce and Arts (FoMCA) Dr. Brijesh; and senior representatives and experts from IIMBx, including Shainesh G., Chairperson, IIMBx; Sitaraman Shankar; Dr. S. Naga Siddharth; and Vijaya Tripathi, along with the IIMBx and SWAYAM expert and technical teams. The programme is being supported by experts including Shweta Shree, Raksha B., Manikandan K., Erwin Fernandes, Diljith Kannan, Nidhi A.C., Vishal C. Reddy, Sushma Nayak, Varun P., Bhumika Arora, Kalaiarasan R., Megha Srinivasan, Rajamohamadu Jeeyavudeen, Aarya S. Kumar, Malhar Patel and Anjali Alex, who are contributing to various sessions related to course design, content development, technology, video production, instructional design and SWAYAM course development. 

The four-day programme is structured around three key stages Design, Develop and Deliver. On the first day, faculty members are being trained to understand the needs of online learners, develop learner profiles, and align learning outcomes, course content and assessment. Participants are also being provided with hands-on experience in developing a module outline for their respective subjects and creating video scripts based on their course design. The second day focuses on the Develop stage, with particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and digital content production. Participants are being introduced to the fundamentals of Generative AI, its applications, strengths, limitations and associated risks. The programme also includes training in active learning activities and studio-based educational video production. Faculty members are getting an opportunity to record their learning videos and receive immediate expert feedback on delivery, pacing and the effective use of teaching aids. The third day focuses on the Deliver stage and will address the changing landscape of online education, the use of AI as a teaching and course-design assistant, and assessment development. Participants will be trained in developing different forms of assessments and aligning them with learning outcomes, as well as using AI for developing question banks with appropriate faculty validation. The programme will also include a showcase and peer review of participant-developed educational videos, followed by an orientation on course development, approval and launch through the SWAYAM platform. On the final day, participants will present their course blueprints in groups before an expert panel comprising members from IIMBx and Manipal University Jaipur. Each group will present its learner profile, course or module outline, sample script or video, learning activity, assessment and course launch plan. The presentations will be followed by expert and peer feedback and interaction with the panel. The programme will conclude with closing remarks and certificate distribution by Sitaraman Shankar, CEO, IIMBX. 

Dr. Mallikarjun Gaddapa, Director, CDOE, said, "Higher education is rapidly becoming more digital and learner centric. In this environment, subject expertise alone is not sufficient for faculty members; they also need capabilities in online course design, digital learning content development, AI-enabled teaching and outcome-based assessment. The FDP being organised in collaboration with IIMBx is providing faculty members with comprehensive hands-on exposure, from developing the initial course outline to digital content production, studio recording, assessment and online delivery. Our objective is to develop high-quality courses that respond effectively to the needs of contemporary learners.”

Shainesh G., Chairperson, IIMBx said, the objective of this programme is not merely to train faculty members, but to provide them with practical experience of the complete online course development process. From identifying learners and developing the course framework to scriptwriting, AI-enabled content development, studio recording, learning activities, assessment and preparing the course for online delivery, participants are getting an opportunity to work through every stage of the process. The collaboration between IIMBx and Manipal University Jaipur provides a strong platform for faculty members to experiment, receive expert feedback and develop modern, technology-enabled, learner-centric and outcome-oriented courses. The programme is designed as a hands-on and outcome-oriented faculty development initiative, enabling participants to move beyond theoretical understanding and work on tangible course-development outputs. The initiative is aimed at further strengthening the quality of digital and online education at Manipal University Jaipur and equipping faculty members with the capabilities required for contemporary teaching and learning. The collaboration brings together the digital learning expertise of IIMBx and the academic ecosystem of Manipal University Jaipur, providing faculty members with an effective platform to develop innovative, technology-enabled, learner-centric and outcome-based courses.

Chitkara University Ranks 3rd in India for Research Quality | #17 Overall | Top 701-800 Globally

The recognition places research quality at the centre of Chitkara University’s latest achievement. The THE World University Rankings assess research-intensive universities across five broad pillars; Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook and Industry. The Research Quality pillar evaluates the influence and reach of a university’s research through indicators including citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence.

Chitkara University’s strong performance reflects its continued efforts to build an ecosystem where research is encouraged across disciplines, supported through institutional infrastructure and connected to real-world challenges. The University has been strengthening its research capabilities through interdisciplinary work, collaborations, innovation-led initiatives and opportunities for faculty and students to engage with emerging areas of knowledge.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder, Chitkara University, said, “The actual measure of research is not only where it is published, but where it takes us. This recognition by Times Higher Education clearly shows the persistence of our researchers, the curiosity of our students, the work of our faculty and the ecosystem we have built to allow ideas to be explored, challenged and transformed into meaningful knowledge. For us, the significance of being ranked 3rd in India for Research Quality lies in what it represents - a culture that encourages people to ask better questions and pursue knowledge with purpose. We want research at Chitkara University to move beyond publications and laboratories, and become a pathway to innovation, collaboration and meaningful impact on society.”

The 17th position in India Overall and placement in the 701–800 global band further add to Chitkara University’s growing presence in global higher education. The 2027 edition of THE World University Rankings features 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories, making it one of the most comprehensive editions of the rankings to date.

The achievement also builds on Chitkara University’s consistent performance in research-focused global rankings. In the THE World University Rankings 2026 as well, the University was placed among the Top 800 and was recognised among India’s leading institutions for Research Quality.

For Chitkara University, the latest recognition is not simply a measure of rankings performance, but an acknowledgement of the growing depth and quality of its research ecosystem. With a continued focus on knowledge creation, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and societal relevance, the University remains committed to strengthening its contribution to India’s evolving higher education and research landscape.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.

For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in.

Winners of Millennium AI Creators Championship 2026 organised by Millennium Group of Schools

Held around the theme ‘Sustainable Cities. Intelligent Futures.’, the championship encouraged students to imagine how AI and human creativity can come together to address real-world challenges and contribute to cleaner, greener, kinder and more inclusive cities. The initiative was open to students from Grades 5 to 12 across India and was organised with Times Now, the leading English news channel from The Times Network, as the Official Broadcast Partner.

The championship featured three age-specific creative challenges:

• Grades 5–7: Storytelling Challenge
  • Winner: 
  1. Vishuddhi Jain
  2. Angad Mehta
  3. Aarav Mahajan
• Grades 8–9: Song Creation Challenge
  • Winner: 
  1. Ibrahim Siddiqui
  2. Hadiya Noor
  3. Rehan
• Grades 10–12: Short Film Challenge
  • Winner: 
  1. Karanjot Singh
  2. Krishna Chaudhary
  3. Abhiraj Sanjay Mokashi

The championship brought together students from across India, with entries evaluated on originality, creativity, storytelling, relevance to the theme, responsible use of AI and overall impact. 

Commenting on the conclusion of the championship, Neha Vaz, Head of Events & Strategic Alliances, The Millennium Group of Schools, said, “The response to the Millennium AI Creators Championship has demonstrated the curiosity and creative potential that young learners bring to conversations around Artificial Intelligence. What stood out was the way students used AI not simply to create, but to explore ideas, tell stories and engage with real-world challenges. Through this championship, we wanted to reinforce that responsible AI use begins with human imagination, critical thinking and intent. The winning entries reflect that spirit and serve as an encouraging reminder of what is possible when technology becomes a tool for young minds to express and build their ideas.”

As part of the championship, registered participants also received access to expert-led sessions covering prompt engineering, AI ethics and digital citizenship, helping students understand the responsible use of AI while strengthening critical thinking, creativity and innovation.

The Top 15 National Winners will receive an exclusive, fully sponsored AI Fellowship powered by TechnoKids in association with Knowledge Hub, providing advanced learning and coding opportunities to further develop their AI capabilities and future-ready skills. Winners will also receive robotics kits from E-BOT Plus, a solution designed around Computer Science, Coding, AI and Robotics, with a focus on practical and intuitive learning.

Speaking on the educational significance of the championship, Dr. Priyanka Jain, Head of Academics, The Millennium Group of Schools, said, “The Millennium AI Creators Championship has given students an opportunity to engage with Artificial Intelligence through creativity, inquiry and real-world problem-solving. The quality and diversity of the submissions demonstrate that when learners are given the right guidance, AI can become a powerful medium for expressing ideas and exploring solutions. Our focus has been to help students understand that responsible use of technology is as important as technical capability, and we hope this experience encourages them to continue questioning, creating and learning with purpose.”

The championship forms part of The Millennium Group of Schools’ broader focus on preparing students for a technology-led future while keeping creativity, critical thinking, ethical awareness and human imagination at the centre of learning. By bringing AI into a structured, creative and age-appropriate learning environment, the initiative sought to encourage students to build with AI rather than simply depend on it.

About The Millennium Group of Schools

The Millennium Group of Schools is a prominent chain of K-12 schools across India that follows the CBSE curriculum. Known for its holistic, child-centric approach, the institution follows the award-winning, research-backed Millennium Learning System™ (MLS™), developed through 10+ years of action research, to create personalised, experiential learning experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, conceptual understanding and real-world application, while integrating global learning theories with the Indian education and value system.

Oxford University Press partners with Canva to empower future-ready learners

As rapid advances in automation and visual communication reshape how current and future generations learn, work and create, schools are moving beyond traditional instruction to build skills that prepare students for the future. Reflecting this shift, the collaboration brings together OUP’s decades of pedagogical expertise with Canva’s intuitive, industry-leading visual communication platform. Through the textbook series, students gain hands-on opportunities to develop digital creativity, communication and design skills, aligned with the aspirations of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

Under the partnership, all OUP partner schools adopting the Keyboard series will receive complimentary access to Canva Education, providing teachers and students with hands-on access to professional-grade design tools in the classroom. A key highlight is the integration of Canva-based projects across Keyboard and OUP’s other computer science series, Reboot!, for Grades 3 to 8, with Reboot! available through the Oxford Educate platform.

Sukanta Das, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India, said, “At Oxford University Press, we are committed to developing educational resources that prepare learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. By embedding Canva into the curriculum, OUP and Canva are empowering students to think like creators from an early age, using technology to imagine, design and bring their ideas to life. Together, we aim to equip learners not only with technical knowledge, but also with the critical digital, communication and problem-solving skills essential for the future and envisioned by NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework.”

"At Canva, our mission is to empower the world to design, and education is at the very heart of that goal. We are thrilled to collaborate with Oxford University Press to bring together their rich legacy of trusted educational content and Canva Education's intuitive visual communication tools. Together, we are making it easier than ever for educators and students to create highly engaging, interactive learning experiences." - Megan Townes, APAC Lead, Canva Education.

Featuring age-appropriate templates, including presentations, logos, flyers, websites and social media content, these projects encourage students to apply their learning in meaningful, real-world contexts while building creativity, digital literacy and visual communication skills. The collaboration broadens the impact beyond a single series, extending creative digital learning across OUP India’s wider learning ecosystem.

Designed for young learners from Grades 1 to 8, the Keyboard series combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on application, covering everything from foundational digital productivity to advanced areas like Python coding, AI, machine learning, IoT, big data, and AR/VR, making computer science engaging and interactive. Aligned with NEP 2020's emphasis on experiential, competency-based, and interdisciplinary learning, the series helps students build confidence in using technology while developing essential digital skills for the 21st century.

In addition to student resources, Canva will conduct a series of teacher-training sessions and webinars for OUP user schools, equipping educators to effectively lead design-based, visually driven learning into classroom instruction.

With technology continuing to reshape education and the workplace, the OUP-Canva partnership represents a significant step toward empowering learners with the digital fluency, creativity, and computational thinking skills required to thrive in the future.

About Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is one of the world's largest university presses with a wide global presence. It currently publishes thousands of new publications a year, has offices in around fifty countries, and employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. It has become familiar to millions through a diverse publishing program that includes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, school and college textbooks, children's books, materials for teaching English as a foreign language, business books, dictionaries and reference books, and academic journals.

About Canva

Launched in 2013, Canva is the world's leading all-in-one visual communication platform, empowering individuals, educators, and organizations to design, collaborate, and communicate visually through an easy-to-use online platform. Canva Education is designed specifically for schools and educators, providing tools that foster creativity, collaboration, and digital skills development in the classroom.

MYCPE ONE awarded in the service Export EdTech Category at the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026

Shalin (Shawn) Parikh, Co-Founder & CEO, and Nemin Vora, VP of Client Relationship Management, received the award on behalf of MYCPE ONE at the ceremony in New Delhi.

Shalin (Shawn) Parikh and Nemin Vora represented MYCPE ONE at the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026 in New Delhi

The award recognizes MYCPE ONE's approach to combining AI, automation, digital learning, and compliance technology to support the evolving needs of CPA and accounting firms. 

Unlike traditional EdTech platforms focused primarily on course delivery, MYCPE ONE combines professional education with technology and operational capabilities designed for the day-to-day needs of accounting firms. 

At the center of its learning ecosystem is MYCPE ONE's CPE platform, providing CPA and accounting firms with access to professional education across 100+ qualifications, along with tools for CPE compliance and learning management. The platform brings together 15,000+ hours of content, 50-state compliance tracking, automated reminders, audit-ready reporting, and a centralized Learning Management System for managing users, learning plans, assignments, practical training, assessments, and performance. It also supports customized learning paths, firm academies, and AI-powered learning tools to help firms develop skills across their teams. 

The company is also developing practical training programs, AI-focused academies, and AI-monitored assessments to help accounting professionals build skills for an increasingly AI-driven workplace. Its assessment platform uses AI-based monitoring to strengthen assessment integrity. 

Beyond learning, MYCPE ONE is developing an AI-first, technology-enabled offshoring model that combines offshore talent with structured workflows, digital productivity tools, candidate assessments, centralized management, and technology-enabled operations. Through its offshoring solutions, accounting firms can build their own offshore teams or use managed offshoring models while accessing accounting professionals across multiple locations. 

"This award reflects the journey we have taken at MYCPE ONE to bring technology, talent, and learning together to create more meaningful solutions for accounting and professional services firms," said Shalin (Shawn) Parikh, Co-Founder & CEO, MYCPE ONE. "We are proud to be awarded in the Service Export: EdTech category. It reinforces our belief in building solutions that help firms access the right talent, develop skills, and embrace technology as they grow globally." 

MYCPE ONE's technology and processes are backed by a SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001:2022-certified Information Security Management System covering technology, development, operations, and offshore staffing activities. 

As accounting and professional services firms look beyond geographic boundaries for talent, technology, and learning, MYCPE ONE continues to expand its capabilities across AI-enabled education, compliance, and cross-border service delivery. 

About MYCPE ONE 

MYCPE ONE is a full-stack accounting and business services platform headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, serving 3,000+ CPA and accounting firms, along with 300+ growing businesses across North America, the UK, and Europe. 

Founded by Shalin (Shawn) Parikh and Valay Parikh, the company has evolved into an integrated platform offering offshore staffing, continuing professional education and learning and development, digital marketing, website solutions, managed IT, cybersecurity, AI implementation and other professional solutions. With SOC 2 Type II certification, ISO 27001 compliance, GDPR readiness, and a proven track record of zero data breaches, MYCPE ONE delivers secure, scalable workforce, education, and business enablement solutions. 

Backed by a talent pool of 500,000+ vetted professionals and a global team of 3,000+ members, MYCPE ONE operates as a unified ecosystem supporting firms and businesses at every stage of growth.

SRM University-AP, Amaravati Campus
 

Other than achieving a strong position overall, SRM University-AP’s performance was particularly strong in International Outlook, where it recorded a score of 58.5 and was placed fifth in India on this indicator, above some of best academic institutions. Its Research Quality score of 55.4 further reflects the strong reach, influence and growing impact of the University’s scholarly output within the global research community.

Dr P. Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor, SRM AP, expresses, “Entering the Times Higher Education World University Rankings within a decade of our founding affirms that we are moving in the right direction. It reflects the quality, purpose and ambition that define SRM University-AP. With a focused roadmap for research and academic growth, we will build on this foundation by further strengthening academic quality, global engagement and meaningful impact.”
 

For Vice-Chancellor, SRM AP, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, the recognition reflects the culture of inquiry the university has built in under a decade: "To be placed in the 1001-1200 bracket of the THE World University Rankings so early in our journey is a moment of real pride, and it deepens our resolve toward the vision we have set for this university. It reflects the culture of curiosity we have nurtured at SRM University-AP, where faculty and students pursue questions that matter and share their findings with the global scholarly community. We will now strengthen every pillar, with re-energized focus so that the university increasingly transforms as a global destination for learning and research."
 

The University’s inaugural participation was coordinated by its Quality Assurance and Rankings (QAR) team. Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Dean, Quality Assurance and Rankings, said, “This was our first submission to THE, and securing a place in the rankings on our first attempt is deeply encouraging. It validates our efforts to benchmark teaching, research and international engagement against global standards. More importantly, it gives us a meaningful international baseline from which to measure progress and build further.”

With its schools spanning engineering and sciences, liberal arts, and business, as well as dedicated institutes in artificial intelligence and quantum technology, SRM University-AP continues to build a research-driven academic community with global ambitions. The THE World University Rankings 2027 recognition provides an important international reference point as the University expands its research ecosystem, academic collaborations and global partnerships.

SRM University-AP is a multidisciplinary private university in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, committed to advancing knowledge through high-quality education, research, innovation and international collaboration.

Manav Rachna leadership and distinguished guests celebrate MRIIRS’ rise in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027

The advancement marks a notable strengthening of MRIIRS's global position in one of the world's widely recognised university ranking frameworks. Its position among ranked Indian institutions has also moved from 98th among 128 ranked institutions in 2026 to 63rd among 170 institutions in 2027, as per the analysis of data available on the official ranking website.
 

The achievement comes as Manav Rachna celebrates 30 years of its educational journey, adding another significant milestone to three decades of institution building.
 

A key contributor to MRIIRS's performance this year has been Research Quality, which emerged as the University's strongest pillar. The development reflects sustained institutional efforts to strengthen the entire research ecosystem — spanning research funding and infrastructure to intellectual property, prototyping, incubation and translation of research into applications.
 

Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, said, “This upward movement is deeply meaningful for us because it reflects progress built steadily over time. As we celebrate 30 years of Manav Rachna, our aspiration is not simply to move higher in rankings, but to build an institution whose teaching, research and innovation create lasting value. This recognition belongs to our faculty, researchers, students and every member of the Manav Rachna family who continues to raise the bar. It strengthens our resolve to keep investing in academic excellence and research that can make a meaningful difference to society.”
 

MRIIRS has attracted more than Rs. 850 lakh in research funding, with support from organisations including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Haryana State Council for Science, Innovation & Technology (HSCSIT), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR), among others. Its research portfolio also includes participation in the European Union-funded ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme.
 

The University's research priorities encompass Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sustainable Materials and Green Technologies, Health Sciences and Clinical Research, and Management, Economics and Policy.
 

Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, said, “Global recognition is an outcome of what happens within a university every day - in its laboratories, classrooms, collaborations and the ideas its people pursue. Our focus has been on creating an environment where research is supported by the right infrastructure, funding, partnerships and pathways for innovation. The improvement in THE World University Rankings is encouraging, but more importantly, it tells us that the direction we have chosen is yielding results.”
 

The research ecosystem at MRIIRS has reported more than 6,000 research publications and over 300 patents published. Its areas of innovation include biomedical devices, agricultural technologies, environmental sustainability solutions, smart systems and automation, while prototyping extends to medical devices, sustainable packaging, agri-tech solutions and smart IoT systems.
 

Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, MRIIRS, said, “A university's global standing is ultimately strengthened by the quality, relevance and impact of the knowledge it creates. The improvement in our THE World University Rankings position, with Research Quality emerging as our strongest pillar, is particularly encouraging because it reflects years of sustained work towards building a more rigorous and enabling research culture. Our endeavour now is to deepen this culture and take more research from knowledge creation to meaningful application.”
 

An important component of the University's innovation ecosystem is the Manav Rachna Innovation and Incubation Foundation (MRIIF), a Section 8 company established to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. The Foundation reports having supported 110+ startups, providing innovators with access to mentorship, infrastructure, skill development, incubation and acceleration, funding support and industry linkages.
 

For MRIIRS, the latest ranking represents an important external marker of progress while reinforcing its longer-term direction: strengthening research quality, expanding global and industry collaborations, supporting innovation and increasing the societal impact of academic work.
 

As Manav Rachna celebrates its 30^th year, the movement in THE World University Rankings 2027 signals both progress achieved and the ambition ahead.

Graduating students with distinguished guests and Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH College of Design & Business, during the 24th Convocation Ceremony in Jaipur

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Sh. Vijay Golecha, Co-Founder and Director, Golcha Jewels, who delivered the Convocation Keynote Address; Dr. Rahul Mishra, State Director, KVIC, MSME, Government of India; and Sh. Rajat Verma, Assistant Director, DCH, Jaipur. Also, present were Sh. Binoy Thoompunkal, Director – International, ARCH, and Sh. Siddharth Mohanty, Coordinator, ARCH, along with faculty members and staff. The ceremony was presided over by Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH College of Design & Business.

A graduating student receives the degree from the dignitaries during ARCH College of Design & Business’s 24th Convocation Ceremony in Jaipur

Speakers Emphasise Purpose, Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

Delivering the keynote address, Sh. Vijay Golecha emphasised the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind every journey, noting that clarity of purpose is what ultimately makes a difference. He highlighted that the clearer individuals are about the reasons behind their journey, the more meaningful and successful that journey can become.

Speaking about his experience at ARCH, Sh. Golecha expressed how deeply he was moved by the work of the college's Jewellery Design students. He remarked that he would have considered himself fortunate to have studied at ARCH himself.

Drawing from his experience as an artist, he spoke of a strong creative kinship with the students and encouraged them to preserve their individuality and creative ethos at every stage of their journey towards becoming designers.

Sh. Rajat Verma congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to creative freedom. He also highlighted the various government schemes and support mechanisms available to young designers seeking to establish their own ventures, encouraging students to explore these opportunities as they enter their professional lives.

Addressing the graduating batch, Dr. Rahul Mishra reflected on the significance of the present era, where technology has made it remarkably seamless to accomplish tasks and pursue possibilities that were once difficult to access.

Using the metaphor of a river that originates at a glacier and spontaneously winds its way towards the sea, Dr. Mishra encouraged students to recognise the opportunities and possibilities available to them in the present era.

He urged students to use their education not only to seek employment but also to consider building enterprises of their own. He further emphasised the importance of sustainable living, responsible consumption and conserving resources for future generations.

Referring to the opening verse of the Isha Upanishad, Dr. Mishra highlighted the philosophy of respecting and responsibly using the world's resources. His message reinforced the need to take only what is required, conserve resources and work towards a sustainable future.

ARCH Graduates Recognised for Excellence

Addressing the graduating students, Ms. Archana Surana, Director, ARCH, reflected on the larger purpose of design education.

“Design is not merely a skill; it is a way of thinking, seeing and bringing about change in society. Our students are moving forward today not merely with a degree, but with a vision, a sense of responsibility and the ability to shape the future. The mission of ARCH has always been to prepare creative and confident professionals who can create meaningful impact in the world.”

The convocation recognised 75+ graduating students with certificates. Students and alumni were also honoured across several categories for their academic performance, innovation and contribution.

• Best Overall Performance: Shagun Gupta, B.Des. Interior Design

• Innovative Student: Sukanya Sen, B.Des. Fashion Design

• Academic Excellence Award: Sakshi Biyani, Rishi Mehta, Ishika Lohia, Devanshi Rander, Bhumika Srivastava and Pranjal Thadnani

• Alumni Excellence Award: Sukriti Banthia, Narendra Saini, Rohit Paliwal and Pooja Vijayvergiya

The ceremony concluded on a celebratory note, bringing together graduating students, parents, faculty members, guests and the ARCH community to commemorate the students' achievements and wish them success as they embark on their professional journeys.

For admission and programme-related information, prospective students can visit ARCH Admission Information.

L-R: Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh; CII Chandigarh Education Summit Chairman Reekrit Serai; Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhandha; CII Chd Director Sumanpreet Singh

Calling for greater collaboration between schools, universities, industry and society, Dhanda said India’s youth must be equipped with the skills and capabilities required to contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat. He invited education and industry leaders to share their ideas and work alongside the government in strengthening the education ecosystem and preparing young people for the opportunities of the future.

“The future is something we build together. The Greater Chandigarh region has all the ingredients to become a model for connecting education, skills and industry. By bringing government, academia and businesses together, we can equip young people with the skills, creativity and adaptability needed for tomorrow. The UK is proud to be a long-term partner in this journey,” said Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh.

Emphasising the importance of decisions being taken today, Reekrit Serai, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Education Summit 2026 and Managing Director, Satluj Group of Schools, said, “The future is not something our children will one day enter. It is something we are building for them—in our classrooms, our institutions and in the decisions we make today.”

Highlighting the region’s potential, Serai added, “Greater Chandigarh has the ingredients to emerge as a major education and knowledge hub. Panchkula, in particular, has the potential to become a higher-education destination, attracting leading Indian and international universities, including British institutions. Education must ultimately prepare young people not simply for the jobs of today, but to think, adapt, create and lead in the world of tomorrow.”

Vivek Verma, Chairman, CII Chandigarh UT and Managing Director, Spray Engineering Devices Ltd, highlighted the growing impact of technology on education. “The education ecosystem is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies and changing industry requirements. Technology can enable personalised learning, improve access and create new approaches to teaching and assessment, but it must remain an enabler and not a replacement for the human element of education,” he said.

The discussions at the Summit focused on strengthening the school-to-skills-to-industry connect, promoting experiential and vocational learning, enhancing teacher development, integrating emerging technologies and creating greater industry exposure for young learners.

The Summit also brought together perspectives from both the academic and institutional ecosystems, enabling stakeholders to examine how schools, higher-education institutions, policymakers and industry can collectively respond to rapidly changing workforce and societal requirements.

Stakeholders underlined the need for closer collaboration between government, academia and industry to ensure that education remains aligned with evolving workforce requirements while continuing to nurture the broader intellectual, social and human capabilities of young people.

The dialogue reaffirmed CII Chandigarh’s commitment to facilitating industry-led engagement on education and supporting the development of a future-ready, inclusive and skills-oriented education ecosystem.

Collaboration will cover joint research, Work Integrated Learning, and specialised healthcare
 

The collaboration brings together the clinical environment of the Apollo network and BITS Pilani's strengths in engineering, technology and data science. Clinicians and BITS Pilani researchers will explore joint research on clinical and healthcare problems, with specific areas to be identified as the collaboration develops.
 

The two institutions will collaborate to develop Work Integrated Learning programmes for healthcare professionals. These programmes allow doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare managers to earn a qualification while continuing in their jobs. Potential areas include healthcare logistics and supply chain, pharmacy, and hospital finance, with the curriculum built around the work these professionals actually do.
 

The partners will also explore technology learning for students, built around the role each student is training for. This would extend to learners at The Apollo University, at the medical and nursing colleges in the Apollo network, and at Apollo Healthcare Academy's partner institutions.
 

Specialised programmes in allied health and healthcare technology are a further area the two institutions will explore, combining BITS Pilani's competency centres with clinical training in Apollo hospitals.
 

Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Healthcare is entering an extraordinary era, where technology is opening new possibilities and widening the horizons of diagnosis, treatment and care. Yet the future of healthcare will be shaped not by technology alone, but by our ability to bring high tech and high touch together, combining innovation with the human connection that lies at the heart of healing. This landmark partnership brings together two pioneering institutions, Apollo Hospitals and BITS Pilani, each with a legacy of transforming its field and a shared belief in the power of knowledge to shape the future. Together, we can enable healthcare professionals to learn while they continue to care, build capabilities for a rapidly changing world, and advance research rooted in the challenges clinicians encounter every day. In doing so, we hope to nurture a generation of healthcare professionals ready not only for the future of healthcare, but ready to shape it.”
 

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, "Healthcare is one of the areas where good engineering makes a direct difference to people's lives. The collaboration creates opportunities to work with Apollo's clinical ecosystem and with a large base of healthcare professionals and students. We bring the technology, data science and a proven model of teaching people who are already working. We expect this collaboration to produce both research and trained professionals."
 

About Apollo Knowledge
Apollo Knowledge is a higher education, skilling and workforce development group backed by the promoters of Apollo Hospitals, working across medicine, nursing, allied health, technology and management. Its institutions include The Apollo University, Apollo Institute of Medical Science and Research, Apollo Nursing Colleges, Apollo Healthcare Academy, Medvarsity and Global Workforce Development. More than 10,000 students are on campus today, undergoing clinical training in the hospitals. More than 5,000 healthcare professionals have been placed in roles in India and abroad, including over 400 radiographers who joined the National Health Service in the United Kingdom in the last three years.
 

About BITS Pilani
The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) is a leading private deemed-to-be university in India, founded in 1964 under the patronage of the Birla family. It was among the first six institutions in India to be declared an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India. BITS Pilani operates campuses at Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai. Its Work Integrated Learning Programmes division has offered degree programmes for working professionals since 1979. More than 1,36,000 professionals have graduated through these programmes, and over 50,000 are currently enrolled across India and more than 32 countries. Over 350 companies work with BITS Pilani for workforce development.

Pranav Raaj Aggarwall receives the National Awards at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026

The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Amit Dutta, Director, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr. Alka Gurjar, Honourable Member of Parliament, BJP; Mr. Varun Tandan, CEO, Water Management and Plumbing Skill Council, and many other eminent personalities from the education and skilling sector. The prestigious awards were received by Mr. Pranav Raaj Aggarwall, Group CEO, International School of Design.

The “Best Design Institute in India 2026” award acknowledges INSD’s contribution to design education and its continued focus on developing skilled, industry-ready creative professionals. INSD has built its education model around skill-first learning, industry-driven curriculum, practical exposure, live projects, internships, portfolio development and career support. The institution offers programmes across disciplines including Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design, Animation & VFX, UI/UX, Textile Design, Photography, Beauty & Makeup and Luxury Education.

The second recognition, “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026”, was awarded to INSD Aviation, the latest initiative from International School of Design. The initiative marks INSD’s expansion of its skill-first education philosophy into air hostess training, cabin crew for business class training, hospitality, travel, retail and customer support, with a focus on creating professionally trained, industry-ready talent for these rapidly growing industries.

The institution today has a network of 75+ centres across 23 states and has trained more than 30,000 students. Its career ecosystem includes 500+ industry recruiters and placement partners, with INSD reporting a successful placement track record for thousands of students.

INSD students have gone on to work with leading organisations across design, fashion, interiors, jewellery, retail, technology and allied creative industries. Its industry and placement ecosystem includes names such as Lifestyle, Lenskart, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Asian Paints, Lakmé, Gaurav Gupta, Jaipur Rugs and other leading brands. INSD provides students with career and placement support backed by practical training, live projects, internships, portfolio development and industry exposure. The highest salary package offered to INSD students has reached Rs. 18 lakhs per year (Rs 1 lac 50 thousand per month), reinforcing the growing career opportunities available to professionally trained creative talent.

Over its 15-year legacy, International School of Design has evolved from a design education institution into one of India’s largest networks for skill-based creative education, positioning itself as “India’s New Age Skill-School.” INSD has received multiple recognitions over the years for its contribution to design education and skill development, including recognition as the “Fastest Growing Design Institute in India” in 2023, presented by Shri Yogendra Upadhyay, Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, and recognition for “Excellence in Design Education” in 2025by the Times of India Group. The two honours received at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026 — “Best Design Institute in India 2026” and “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026” — mark the next phase of INSD’s growth as it expands its skill-first education model beyond design into aviation, hospitality, travel, retail and other high-growth service sectors.

For more information, visit www.insd.edu.in.

Highlights from the ARISE Learning Festival 2026—powerful conversations, distinguished voices, and the launch of AI Adoption for K-12: Moving Beyond Experimentation

Held around the theme ‘Connected Schools – Building Communities. Inspiring Futures,’ this year’s Festival was designed as an immersive, delegate-centred experience moving beyond a conventional conference format to combine school visits, keynotes and conversations with masterclasses, student voices, school showcases, partner and exhibitor engagements, peer learning and networking.
 

The Festival began with curated school tours across India on September 24 and across Delhi-NCR on September 25, offering delegates an opportunity to experience first-hand how schools are building collaborative cultures, strong communities and future-ready learning environments. The initiative brought together 6 host schools across India and 11 schools across Delhi-NCR*.
 

The learning continued at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, through interactive masterclasses and breakout conversations spanning teacher development, school leadership, institutional culture, technology and AI, digital resilience, student wellbeing, curriculum leadership and future readiness.
 

A key knowledge outcome of the Festival was the launch of the FICCI–ARISE–EY-Parthenon Knowledge Report, AI Adoption Plan for K12: Moving beyond Experimentation, focused on enabling schools to move from experimentation with artificial intelligence towards more purposeful and responsible adoption.
 

Perspectives shaping the future of education

Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared perspectives on how schools can evolve from standalone innovation initiatives into connected ecosystems linking young people with creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, partnerships and real-world opportunities. He highlighted the role of leadership and collaboration in embedding innovation more deeply within school culture.
 

Bringing a perspective from beyond education, Shikhar Dhawan, Chairman, Da One Group and former Indian international cricketer, drew upon his journey in high-performance sport, entrepreneurship and community initiatives to reflect on resilience, discipline, confidence and purpose. The conversation explored how schools and communities can create the conditions that help young people navigate challenges, build self-belief and translate their potential into meaningful achievement.
 

Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of Westminster School, Rugby School and Solihull School, drew on his extensive experience of school leadership to reflect on the fundamentals that continue to matter in education purpose, service, shared values, relationships and the strength of the school community. His reflections reinforced the importance of looking beyond academic outcomes to the broader role schools play in shaping young people.
 

Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, LSU Laboratory School, brought the conversation to the intersection of technology and humanity, highlighting the distinctly human capabilities young people will continue to need including curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement, collaboration, courage and imagination as schools prepare students for an increasingly unpredictable future.
 

Students at the centre

Student voice formed an important part of the Festival. A main-stage student panel brought together students from government and private schools to share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, belonging, creativity, purpose and what they would like the next generation of schooling to look like. The conversation placed students not simply as recipients of education, but as important participants in shaping its future.
 

Students were also visible across the Festival through presentations and showcases, bringing their ideas, creativity and work directly into the delegate experience.
 

From conference to experience

A defining feature of this year’s Learning Festival was its emphasis on participation and experience. The ARISE Experience Zone, school showcases, student presentations, partner and exhibitor engagements and interactive formats created opportunities for delegates to discover new practices and solutions, engage directly with innovators and connect with peers.
 

Across the programme, practitioners and experts also explored some of the most pressing questions facing schools today from the changing role of teachers and curriculum leadership to AI-enabled school management, career readiness, wellbeing, safeguarding and institutional culture.
 

Together, these formats sought to ensure that delegates did not simply listen to conversations about the future of education, but could experience ideas in practice, interact with those implementing them and build connections that could continue beyond the Festival.
 

Celebrating excellence in school education

The Festival culminated with the 4th Edition of the FICCI supported ARISE Excellence Awards, celebrating exemplary and innovative practices across school education.
 

The Awards drew participation from schools across the country, with an almost equal representation of government and private schools, reflecting the breadth and diversity of India’s school education ecosystem. Entries underwent a structured evaluation process involving an Interim Jury followed by a Grand Jury, with EY serving as the official tabulator.
 

The Awards ceremony also saw the release of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards Compendium, showcasing exemplary practices and initiatives from participating schools and enabling their learnings to reach the wider education community.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arunabh Singh, President, ARISE; Co-founder & Director, Healthy Planet Schools & Nehru World School, said, “Connected schools are ultimately about people students, teachers, leaders and communities learning from and strengthening one another. Through the ARISE Learning Festival, we wanted to move beyond a conventional conference and create an experience where delegates could see, participate, exchange and connect. The diversity of voices represented this year from government and private schools to students, policymakers, experts and industry demonstrates the power of bringing the ecosystem together.”

The ARISE Learning Festival 2026 (in collaboration with FICCI) reinforced the need for schools to remain connected, adaptive and deeply human-centred as they prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together ideas, lived experiences and on-ground practices, the Festival sought to translate conversations about the future of education into opportunities for learning, collaboration and action.

*List of ARISE host schools:

For Delhi NCR, Host School are as follows:
1. Pathways World School, Gurugram, Haryana
2. Healthy Planet School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
3. Khaitan World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
4. Heritage International Xperiential School, Gurugram, Haryana
5. The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, Haryana
6. The Ardee School, New delhi
7. Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon, Haryana
8. Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
9. Vasant Valley, New Delhi
10. Nehru World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
11. Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

For PAN India, Host Schools are as follow:
1. The Ardee School, Sangolda, Goa
2. Valistus International School, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka
3. Walnut School, Pune, Maharashtra
4. The Newtown School, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, Telangana
6. Grassroots Global Early Years, Patna, Bihar

A Moment of Celebration as IIT Jammu Hosts Its 7th Convocation

A total of 420 degrees were conferred during the ceremony, comprising 209 B.Tech, 124 M.Tech, 23 M.Sc., and 64 Ph.D. degrees, reflecting the Institute’s growing contributions to higher education and research.

The ceremony was graced by Dr. Shankar M. Venugopal, Vice President, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Mahindra Research Valley, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, Pan IIT Alumni India, as the Guest of Honour.

Addressing the graduating students, Dr. Venugopal encouraged them to embrace the opportunities emerging in a world being reshaped by technology and innovation. He urged the graduates to remain connected with their alma mater and contribute to its growth as mentors, collaborators, and ambassadors of IIT Jammu. Reflecting on their student journey, he encouraged them to cherish the experiences and relationships they had built at the Institute and draw strength from them as they navigate the challenges ahead. He also highlighted the immense potential of India to transform its challenges into opportunities through innovation, determination, and collective effort.

Dr. Amitabh Ranjan, Guest of Honour, congratulated the graduating students and emphasised the importance of staying connected with the IIT ecosystem and contributing to the larger community. He encouraged the graduates to carry forward the values, knowledge, and spirit of excellence cultivated at IIT Jammu as they embark on their professional journeys.

In his address, Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, congratulated the graduating class and spoke about the importance of curiosity, resilience, and purpose in shaping meaningful careers and lives. He encouraged the graduates to remain committed to lifelong learning, create value through their work, and ensure that their knowledge and innovations contribute meaningfully to society. He urged them to remain grounded in their roots, pursue new paths with courage, and nurture friendships and relationships that extend beyond professional networks.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of ‘Antardṛṣṭi’, meaning “inner vision”, a new sculpture dedicated to the graduating class of 2026. The sculpture symbolises the moment before departure, when clarity must come from within before one steps into the wider world. It embodies a message of self-trust, courage, and aspiration for the graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives. The sculpture serves as a reminder to look within when the path ahead appears uncertain, to dream beyond the limits set by others, and to move forward with confidence even when the journey ahead is challenging.

The ceremony also recognized outstanding academic achievements through the conferment of prestigious medals. Vivek Kumar Shandilya, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, was awarded the President Gold Medal for securing the highest CGPA among all B.Tech graduates. The Director Gold Medal was conferred upon Ayush Raj, Department of Chemical Engineering, for the best overall performance.

The Institute Gold Medal for the highest CGPA among graduating M.Tech students was awarded to Mohammad Shamsul Haq, M.Tech in Civil Engineering, while Sheikh Aabid Nisar, M.Sc. in Chemistry, received the Institute Gold Medal for securing the highest CGPA among graduating M.Sc. students.

The Institute Silver Medals were awarded to students securing the highest CGPA in their respective disciplines. Among the B.Tech programmes, the recipients were Ayush Raj (Chemical Engineering), Khushboo (Civil Engineering), Chaitanya Tandon (Computer Science and Engineering), Nageshwar Kumar (Electrical Engineering), and Harshit Beri (Mechanical Engineering).

In the postgraduate programmes, the Institute Silver Medals were conferred upon Shivangi Sharma (M.Tech in Chemical Engineering), Anshu Kumari (M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering), Sandeep Kumar (M.Tech in Electrical Engineering), Binod Kumar (M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering), and Akshita (M.Sc. in Physics).

The 7th Convocation of IIT Jammu was a celebration of academic accomplishment, perseverance, and aspiration. As the graduating class of 2026 steps into a new phase of its journey, the Institute congratulates all the graduates and wishes them success in their future endeavors. Equipped with knowledge, resilience, and a sense of purpose, the graduates are poised to make meaningful contributions to society and carry forward the values of IIT Jammu in the years ahead.

Anant National University Hosts Mass Timber Workshop 2026, Championing Sustainable Construction and a Greener Future

As the construction sector grows, the need for environmentally responsible building practices becomes increasingly important. Mass timber offers an opportunity to explore alternatives to conventional construction materials and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. The workshop encouraged dialogue and collaboration around the role of such materials in shaping the future of construction.

At Anant National University, sustainability is central to its vision for education and its commitment to creating a better future. The University supports initiatives that encourage students, faculty and industry partners to address real-world challenges through sustainable architecture, responsible material use, climate-conscious design and interdisciplinary research.

The Mass Timber Workshop reflected this commitment by bringing together perspectives from academia and industry through discussions, knowledge-sharing and practical engagement. It provided a platform to explore how mass timber and other sustainable approaches can contribute to a more environmentally responsible built environment. Ahead of the workshop, participating Anant students also visited India’s landmark mass timber project in Umargam, Gujarat, gaining firsthand insights into the material’s practical applications.

By supporting initiatives such as this, Anant continues to create opportunities for its academic community to engage with emerging ideas and contribute to meaningful change. Through sustainability-focused learning, research and collaboration, the University remains committed to nurturing designers, architects and changemakers who can help build a more sustainable future.

About Anant National University

At Anant National University, education begins with a simple belief: the future will not be inherited. It will be purposefully designed.

Guided by the philosophy: Come, Create the New, Anant brings together learners who are curious about the world as it is, but also ambitious about what it could become. The University encourages students to look beyond conventional answers and engage with the complex challenges of our times: Ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies.

Anant offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its approach combines academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and hands-on engagement with communities. The goal is not only to build practical skills but also to train diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change.

Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s abiding commitment to build an innovating institution where creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose come together to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.

SAP Learning Hub, student edition
 

Imagine graduating with more than a degree on your resume. You don’t need to be an IT professional to explore what SAP Certification-related jobs look like—SAP skills can open career opportunities in roles such as Consultant, Analyst, Business Process Analyst, Developer, Technology Analyst, and Application Support Associate across areas like Finance, HR, Sales, Procurement, Manufacturing, Analytics, and Technology. It’s a step toward a globally recognized certification, and a chance to work at the world’s top companies running on SAP, the world’s largest ERP company.

Eligible final-year college and university students in India can access the platform at no cost. Registration starts with using a university email to create an SAP Universal ID and uploading a student ID for verification. Once that’s done, they get an activation email, and they’re in.

Some head straight for supply chain or analytics, others explore HR, and SAP Learning Journeys cover all of it, each one a structured path built around a specific area. A commerce student can explore finance, an aspiring HR professional can go deeper into HR, and a student interested in technology can follow an entirely different path. The idea is to connect what they’re learning with the work they want to pursue.

“We want students to be able to explore, experiment, and find what works for them,” says David Chaviano, Program Manager, SAP Learning Hub, student edition. The experience goes beyond self-paced learning. Students can join sessions led by SAP experts and use real SAP practice systems to put their learning to work. “A classroom lesson can explain how a business process works. A practice system lets you try it yourself.” They can also join a learner community and prepare for SAP Certifications, with two exam attempts included.

By the time they graduate, students have explored an area of interest, built practical skills, and gained experience with SAP systems, giving them more to take into their first job search than a degree alone.

Eligible final-year students in India can register for the free SAP Learning Hub, student edition at https://learning.sap.com/free-student-edition.

Architect and Design Educator Jabeen Zacharias Joins Anant National University as Professor of Practice

As Chief Architect of Jabeen Zacharias Architects, she has led more than 300 successful projects across hospitality, institutional, corporate, museum, cultural and residential sectors. She has also contributed extensively to design education in India through teaching, advocacy and leadership roles across academic and professional institutions, including the College of Engineering Trivandrum, the IIID Education Council and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID).

She has been associated with the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), where she was the first woman to chair the Kerala Chapter. She currently serves as Director, Vision & Strategy at the Global Village Foundation, further extending her engagement across education, human settlements, ecology, culture and civic initiatives.

At Anant, Zacharias will bring her extensive professional experience and industry perspective into the academic environment, strengthening the connection between design education and professional practice. Her engagement will span experiential and interdisciplinary learning, design advocacy, mentorship and professional networks, creating opportunities for students to learn from real-world practice and engage with the broader social, cultural and environmental contexts of design.

Her appointment strengthens Anant’s commitment to creating a wholesome learning ecosystem where students engage with leading practitioners who have shaped the profession through sustained work, exemplary leadership and powerful impact. 

As design education evolves beyond technical training towards contextual, ethical and purpose-driven problem-solving, her multidimensional engagements will play a key role in preparing students to respond thoughtfully to the complex realities of our world.

About Anant National University
Anant National University is India’s premier design university, preparing students to face the complex challenges of both the contemporary and emergent worlds. Guided by its brand philosophy, “Come, Create the New”, Anant encourages learners to move beyond conventional ways of thinking and imagining, designing and pursuing more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready possibilities instead.

The University offers multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Anant’s inventive academic approach combines rigorous learning, studio-based practice, emerging technologies, sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, research, entrepreneurship and hands-on community experiences.

Anant has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. It has also received a ‘5-Star Rating’ in Architecture and a ‘4-Star Rating’ in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023–24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s continuing commitment to build a world-class institution rooted in creativity, contextual understanding, innovation and purpose.

About Anant National University
At Anant National University, education begins with a simple belief: the future will not be inherited. It will be purposefully designed.

Guided by the philosophy: Come, Create the New, Anant brings together learners who are curious about the world as it is, but also ambitious about what it could become. The University encourages students to look beyond conventional answers and engage with the complex challenges of our times: Ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies.

Anant offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its approach combines academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and hands-on engagement with communities. The goal is not only to build practical skills but also to train diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change.

Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reflect Anant’s abiding commitment to build an innovating institution where creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose come together to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.

Jaya Deoras Deshmukh (MICA), Navin Khemka (WPP Media) and Shashank Surana (DS Group) at the launch of DCODE 2.0, by DS Group with WPP Media and MICA

Building on the foundation of its first edition, DCODE 2.0 reflects the rapidly changing digital marketing landscape, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated across the entire spectrum of digital marketing. Rather than treating AI as a standalone subject, the playbook explores its application across disciplines including Search, Paid Media, Performance Marketing, Content & Creative and other key areas, reflecting its growing role as an integral part of the modern marketer’s toolkit.

A significant addition to DCODE 2.0 is its association with MICA, bringing academic rigour and contemporary learning perspectives to complement the real-world expertise of DS Group and WPP Media. The collaboration strengthens the playbook’s relevance for both industry practitioners and the wider marketing and academic ecosystem.

The second edition also marks DS Group’s commitment to keeping DCODE an evolving resource, with the playbook intended to be updated periodically to incorporate emerging technologies, new tools, evolving industry practices and changing consumer behaviour.

DCODE 2.0 has also been reorganised and streamlined to make it more accessible and more practical for marketers. The modules have been strengthened, while the Paid, Owned and Earned (POE) framework has been refreshed to provide a more intuitive, practitioner-friendly approach to planning and executing digital marketing.

Rajeev Jain, Sr Vice President, Corporate Marketing, DS Group, said, “Digital marketing is evolving at an extraordinary pace while AI is fundamentally changing how marketers think, create, engage and measure. DCODE 2.0 is our effort to navigate this transformation and translate it into practical knowledge that marketers can apply. Our collaboration with MICA adds an important academic dimension, while our partnership with WPP Media brings deep industry expertise. Together, they make DCODE 2.0 a more relevant, comprehensive and future-ready resource for the marketing ecosystem.”

Prasanth Kumar, CEO WPP Media, South Asia, said, “Marketing is moving from a world of fragmented digital channels to an increasingly connected, intelligent and adaptive ecosystem. AI is accelerating this shift, but its real impact will come from how effectively marketers integrate it across the entire consumer journey, from discovery and media to content, commerce and measurement. DCODE 2.0 is a timely effort to bring these evolving disciplines together and translate a complex, fast-changing landscape into practical knowledge. By combining industry experience with academic rigour, the playbook can help marketers move beyond simply understanding new technologies to applying them meaningfully to drive growth.”

Jaya Deoras Deshmukh, Director & CEO, MICA, said, “The future of marketing is not merely to discover demand; it is to imagine, create, and responsibly steward the futures that demand inhabits. As the marketing function steps into this Age of Imagination, the fundamental discipline of demand activation transforms, sensing unfelt and unmet needs and bringing them to life. DCODE 2.0 captures that very shift by pairing smart technology with human intuition, empowering marketers to look beyond what already exists and imagine entirely new possibilities into being.”

DCODE 2.0 is designed for a wide spectrum of users, including corporate and agency marketing teams, digital practitioners, media planners and buyers, students, academic institutions and senior marketing professionals. It will be available as an open-access resource, reinforcing the initiative’s objective of contributing to the broader digital marketing ecosystem. It provides frameworks, processes, best practices and actionable guidance across key areas of digital marketing, helping marketing practitioners navigate an increasingly complex and technology-led ecosystem.

India’s media and advertising landscape continues to expand, with total advertising revenue projected to grow by 9.7% in 2026 to Rs 2,01,891 Cr, according to the TYNY 2025 report by WPP Media, an incremental addition of Rs 17,844 Cr over 2025. Digital is driving this structural shift, with digital, including digital extensions of all media, accounting for 68.1% of total ad revenue. Within digital, commerce-led advertising is the fastest-growing segment at 24.2%, driven by the convergence of retail media, quick commerce and social commerce. Other digital channels are expected to grow at 11.1%, while OOH and cinema expand at 8.9%. Television is projected to grow at 3.1%, supported by connected TV and addressable advertising, while audio is expected to grow at 1.5%, fuelled by streaming platforms. At the same time, AI-powered search, voice and agentic discovery are projected to grow at 8%, reflecting how AI and technology are becoming increasingly integral to India’s evolving advertising ecosystem.

The playbook can be accessed at <Digital Marketing Strategy Guide | DS Group>

About WPP Media

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

WPP Media is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions, and expert strategic counsel.

About DS Group

The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a one of the leading FMCG conglomerates and a Multi-Business Corporation with a strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. It has an extensive and diverse portfolio with presence in Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Mouth Freshener, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail businesses, and other investments. Catch, Pulse, Pass Pass, Silver Pearls, Ksheer, Rajnigandha, Ovino, L’Opera, Le Marche, Birthright, LuvIt, Chingles, Golmol, Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today.

As a corporate, DS Group is guided by a clear set of values that are built on a strong foundation of collective good to give back to society and protect the planet. The DS Headquarters has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, under the USGBC (US Green Building Council) existing building O&M (Operation and Maintenance) program version 4.0. The DS Headquarters has also received LEED Zero Carbon Certification, by the USGBC. DS Group has aligned its financial performance with global ESG priorities with the launch of a pioneering Double Materiality Assessment across all businesses. Further demonstrating its environmental leadership, the DS Group has a water positivity index at 1.8 across its business units in 30 locations of India.

For details, log onto www.dsgroup.com.

Uttarakhand Government and M3M Foundation representatives during the MoU signing to equip youth with industry-relevant skills

On the occasion, Smt. Chandrakanta (Deputy Director, Employment), Shri Niranjan Khugshal (Deputy Director, Training), Shri Dinkar Rawat (Principal Grade-I, Government Industrial Training Institute, Niranjanpur, Dehradun), Smt. Vinita Badoni (Nodal Officer, UKSDM), and Shri Arvind Kumar Sharma (M3M Representative), along with other officials and representatives from the department and training institutions, were present.

The objective of this MoU is to establish a collaborative skill development framework in Uttarakhand, through which youth can be provided technical training aligned with the current and emerging requirements of the industry. Under this initiative, special focus will be placed on quality training, employability enhancement, industry linkages, placement opportunities and sustainable livelihood outcomes. Along with linking training to local employment demand, efforts will also be made to prepare youth for employment and self-employment opportunities.

Under the MoU, priority has been given to the operation of training centres in Dehradun, Haldwani, Kashipur and Pithoragarh in the initial phase. Based on project requirements, geographical conditions and the availability of potential beneficiaries, Almora and Barkot may also be included as additional training locations. At least two courses will be selected for each training centre, keeping in view local conditions, industry demand and employment opportunities.

The proposed training programmes include modern and employment-oriented technical trades. These include Junior Technician – Electric Vehicle, Junior Technician – Auto Electrical Maintenance, Junior Technician – Automobile Repair & Maintenance, Junior Technician – Internet of Things (IoT), and Junior Technician – Plumbing. The selection of these trades is proposed to be undertaken keeping in view the requirements of local industries and the employment opportunities available to youth.

Through this partnership, emphasis will be placed on equipping the youth of Uttarakhand with skills aligned with changing industrial and technological requirements, while also connecting them with employment and self-employment opportunities. Along with strengthening engagement with industries and placement support, special attention will also be given to the quality of training and post-training outcomes.

On the occasion, Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, said that providing youth in Uttarakhand with skills aligned with industry requirements and connecting them with employment and livelihood opportunities is an important objective of this partnership. She said that this collaboration between M3M Foundation and the Department of Skill Development and Employment, Uttarakhand, is an important initiative towards making skill development in the state more industry-focused, employment-oriented and outcome-driven.

Through this partnership, continuous efforts will be made to strengthen pathways for quality skill training, better employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for youth.

This partnership will bring together departmental efforts and participation from the social sector in the field of skill development in Uttarakhand, working towards making training, employment and livelihood opportunities more effective for youth.

ShikshaNext, the 3-year, INR 170-crore multi-donor initiative aimed at improving learning outcomes for children across India by leveraging EdTech and AI, today announced the next phase of its journey with the selection of 11 solutions across its EdTech ScaleX and EdTech Accelerator pillars.

A teacher demonstrates an EdTech app to her students, part of ShikshaNext's  market-shaping push to bring proven digital tools into Indian classrooms

The announcement moves the ShikshaNext initiative from vision to execution, aiming to bring evidence-backed and emerging EdTech and AI solutions closer to classrooms and state government systems by 2029. ShikshaNext is anchored by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Reliance Foundation, and Gates Foundation as Founding Strategic Partners, with Central Square Foundation as the Managing Partner. The Initiative is also supported by Anthropic as a Supporting Partner.

This Initiative further brings together three interconnected pillars, each addressing a different stage of the EdTech innovation pipeline: EdTech ScaleX focuses on improving learning outcomes at scale by taking proven solutions into government systems and enabling their effective adoption; the EdTech Accelerator strengthens the pipeline of promising solutions as they are being built, tested and refined; and the EdTech and AI Innovation Hub tackles some of the unsolved problem statements that could shape the next generation of technology and AI-led education solutions.

Underpinning these three pillars is a sustained commitment to rigorous evidence generation: this involves not just building proof that a solution works, but also understanding how it performs in real government systems, what makes implementation effective for students, parents and teachers, and what it takes to translate promising solutions into sustained impact at scale.

Five solutions have been selected under EdTech ScaleX, serving children in the 4-10 age group:

1. Chimple by Sutara Learning: Teacher-directed, at-home gamified mobile learning solution; validated by a randomised controlled trial (RCT) by Prof. Kartini Shastry, Wellesley College and Prof. Sheetal Sekhri, University of Virginia (2024)

2. Rocket Learning: Playful, WhatsApp-based home-learning; validated by a J-PAL RCT (2023)

3. Top Parent by Nudged: Pan-India, parent-facing solution for at-home learning; validated by a quasi-experimental study under the guidance of Prof. Tarun Jain, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (2026)

4. Prakashak by ThinkZone: WhatsApp-based at-home learning programme validated by a quasi-experimental study under the guidance of Prof. Tarun Jain, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (2026)

5. Youth Impact: Phone-based remedial Math learning; validated by a five-country RCT by Dr Noam Angrist et al. (2025)

Through its portfolio of five solutions, EdTech ScaleX will aim to improve learning outcomes at scale by targeting 8 million+ students.

Six solutions have been selected under the EdTech Accelerator, serving children in the 4-10 age group:

1. Darsel: 1:1 personalised WhatsApp chatbot for math practice at-home

2. Eedi: AI native WhatsApp based socratic personal tutor for math remediation at-home

3. TARA ORF by Prosical Language Technologies: Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment, analysis, and student remediation at-home

4. PadhAI by Pratham Education Foundation: Offline ORF assessment, analysis, and student remediation at-home

5. Vowels of the People Association (VOPA): ORF assessment, analysis and student remediation for both literacy and numeracy skills at-home

6. VallamAI by Madhi Foundation: AI-powered teacher-support tool for assessments, coaching, and lesson planning

Through the EdTech Accelerator, these six solutions will work on building the evidence and capabilities needed to translate promising innovations into solutions that can ultimately scale.

Together, these 11 solutions will forge a new pathway for EdTech and AI-enabled learning in India, strengthening learning outcomes for millions of children and building the evidence that turns bold ideas into lasting impact at scale.

Ishmeet Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Central Square Foundation, said, "Selecting these 11 solutions is where ShikshaNext's ambition starts to become tangible. Five of them are already backed by independent evidence and are ready to work with governments at scale; the other six are building the next generation of AI-enabled solutions for India's classrooms. Bringing proven, scale-ready solutions together with emerging AI innovations and generating the evidence needed to move both forward is what makes this more than a portfolio of grants. It is a pathway designed to help early stage innovations to travel to institutional state adoption and integration into the governance mechanism."

Prachi Jain Windlass, Head of India, The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, said, "Technology matters when it helps children learn better and opens pathways to future opportunity. Used effectively, technology and data can help educators understand student progress and act quickly when additional support is needed. ShikshaNext brings evidence, innovation, and government adoption together so proven EdTech can benefit more children, while the next generation of AI-enabled solutions is tested and strengthened responsibly.”

B Srinivasan, Executive Lead, Reliance Foundation said, “Reliance Foundation’s vision is simple yet profound that every child in India should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their dreams. The rapid expansion of digital connectivity and 5G over the past decade has unlocked unprecedented possibilities to deliver quality education to every corner of our country.

We have seen that when philanthropy, government, educators, and innovators come together with shared purpose, technology in education moves beyond promising pilots to achieving measurable learning outcomes at scale. ShikshaNext represents the next step in this journey - a collaborative platform to generate rigorous evidence, strengthen partnerships, and harness the power of AI responsibly and inclusively.

Our commitment is to ensure that the next generation of AI-enabled solutions is not only innovative, but equitable - designed to serve every child, everywhere, and to truly transform India’s educational future.”

Benjamin Piper, Director, Global Education, Gates Foundation, said, "The EdTech Accelerator solutions in particular reflect where we think the real opportunity with generative AI lies - not replacing good pedagogy, but strengthening it, in tools built specifically for low-resource classrooms. Pairing that work with ScaleX's evidence-backed solutions gives ShikshaNext a pipeline that spans from what we know works today to what could work tomorrow."

About ShikshaNext

ShikshaNext is a three-year, Rs 170-crore multi-donor initiative aimed at improving learning outcomes for children across India by leveraging EdTech and AI. Anchored by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Reliance Foundation, and the Gates Foundation as Founding Strategic Partners, supported by Anthropic as Supporting Partner and led by Central Square Foundation as Managing Partner, ShikshaNext aims to enable more than 13 million children to access meaningful, technology- and AI-enabled learning opportunities by 2029. The initiative operates across three pillars — EdTech ScaleX, the EdTech Accelerator, and the EdTech & AI Innovation Hub — underpinned by a sustained commitment to evidence generation.

About Central Square Foundation

Founded in 2012, Central Square Foundation (CSF) is a non-profit committed to improving learning outcomes for school-going children across 14 Indian states through system-led reform. CSF works in close partnership with 11 state governments to design and deliver statewide missions on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), while strengthening Early Childhood Education. CSF also focuses on building a vibrant EdTech and AI ecosystem to enable equitable, high-quality learning at scale.

More at www.centralsquarefoundation.org

About The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation builds pathways that change lives for people and communities around the world. Through their philanthropy, Michael and Susan Dell have committed more than €10 billion to improve education, health, and economic mobility, with a focus on delivering measurable, long-term impact. These efforts reflect a belief that lasting change comes from investing in people – and in the potential of every child.

For more information, visit www.dell.org and follow the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation on LinkedIn.

About Reliance Foundation

Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a catalytic role in addressing India's development challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Led by Mrs Nita M Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation works across rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster management, women empowerment, urban renewal, and arts, culture and heritage, and has touched the lives of over 88 million people across India.

More at www.reliancefoundation.org

About Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation is a global philanthropy working to reduce poverty, tackle preventable disease, and expand opportunity so more people can lead healthy, productive lives. Education is a core pillar of its work, with a Global Education Program focused on improving foundational reading and math for children in India and sub-Saharan Africa.

More at www.gatesfoundation.org

VELS honoured 2,000 outstanding teachers across Tamil Nadu at the Teachers Excellence Awards 2026, celebrated across Periyapalayam, Thiruvanmiyur and Pallavaram

As part of its Teachers’ Day celebrations, VELS organised a series of Teachers’ Excellence Award ceremonies across Thiruvanmiyur, Periyapalayam and Pallavaram, recognising thousands of educators for their dedication, commitment and tireless efforts in shaping the lives and futures of students.

The series began at the VELS Thiruvanmiyur Campus, where Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The second edition was held at the VELS Periyapalayam Campus, with Dr. Sowmiya Anbumani, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Dharmapuri Constituency, as the Chief Guest. The celebrations culminated at the VELS Pallavaram Campus with Tmt. Premalatha Vijayakant, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Virudhachalam Constituency and General Secretary, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, as the Chief Guest.

Celebrating the teachers who shape every profession

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice-President, VELS Group of Institutions, highlighted the unique role played by teachers in shaping individuals and society.

“Teachers work tirelessly for their students, often without expecting recognition or praise. Their contribution goes far beyond the classroom. They guide students, build their confidence, shape their character and help them find the right direction in life.

Our culture has always placed teachers in a position of great respect through the timeless words ‘Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam.’ The teaching profession is unique because it creates and nurtures every other profession. Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, administrator and professional begins the journey with a teacher.

Through the VELS Teachers’ Excellence Award, we wish to express our gratitude and recognise educators whose dedication continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students,” she said.

Tmt.Premalatha Vijayakant recalls teacher who shaped her journey

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Pallavaram ceremony, Tmt. Premalatha Vijayakant said “Teachers have the responsibility of guiding students in the right direction. Education is one of the most important foundations of a person’s life. Captain Vijayakant strongly believed in the importance of education and supported thousands of students in pursuing their studies.

Behind every successful student, there is the contribution of a teacher. I still remember my teacher Mr. Loganathan, who moulded me and helped me become the person I am today. He is no more, but I continue to remember him with gratitude. I owe a part of all my success to the teacher who guided and shaped me during my formative years,” she said.

She also encouraged students to actively participate in sports and extracurricular activities, highlighting their role in building confidence, discipline and teamwork.

Congratulating the award recipients, she appreciated the immense contribution of teachers to society and extended her best wishes to the entire teaching community.

The Pallavaram event was attended by Dr. Arthi Ganesh, Pro-Chancellor (Administration); Dr. M. Bhaskaran, Vice-Chancellor (FAC), Dr. M. Chandrasekaran, Registrar,, along with university officials, educators and award recipients.

About Vels University

VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) continues to be recognised as one of the prominent deemed-to-be universities in Chennai, distinguished by its prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation and UGC Category-I status. Home to over 20,000 students and supported by a dedicated faculty strength of 1,220 members, VISTAS offers more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a wide spectrum of disciplines. These include Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Management, Law, Mass Communication, Maritime Studies, Aviation, Physiotherapy and Computing Sciences, among others.

With its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and holistic development, VISTAS remains a premier destination for quality higher education in India. With campuses across Pallavaram, Thalambur, Periyapalayam, Thiruvanmiyur and Adyar, VELS provides students with opportunities to pursue academic learning alongside research, innovation, industry engagement, sports, cultural activities and experiential learning.

For more information: www.vistas.ac.in.

Quantum Technology Capabilities at MAHE Bengaluru Campus

Four faculty members and seven students completed the specialised programme across India and the Netherlands, gaining hands-on exposure to the complex hardware and engineering systems that support quantum computing. The initiative positions MIT Bengaluru to develop a trained academic and student talent base for Q-Hub from its inception.

The training was conducted in two phases. The first phase at MIT Bengaluru focused on quantum control systems, vacuum technologies, practical vacuum assembly and foundational quantum engineering concepts. The second phase was held at the QuantrolOx laboratory and QuTech at TU Delft, Netherlands, where participants received advanced training from experts working at the forefront of quantum technology.

Faculty members and students gained practical experience in microwave technologies, RF electronics, gas handling systems, dilution refrigerator assembly, cryocooling systems, superconducting quantum processing unit assembly, signal measurement and analysis, and the use of QuantumEDGE software and QBlox modules.

The programme has strengthened the ability of faculty members to teach, mentor and lead research in emerging quantum technologies. For students, it has created an opportunity to move beyond theoretical learning and engage directly with the hardware, control systems and experimental processes involved in quantum computing. The trained cohort will support laboratory instruction, research projects and the operation of critical infrastructure at Q-Hub.

Prof. (Dr.) Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru, observed, “India’s quantum future depends on meaningful collaboration between academia and industry. At MAHE Bengaluru, Q-Hub will bring faculty, students, researchers and industry partners together to develop talent, address real-world challenges and advance quantum innovation in India.”

Commenting on the initiative and the upcoming launch of Q-Hub, Dr. Iven Jose, Director, MIT Bengaluru, said, “The inauguration of Q-Hub marks a significant milestone in our journey towards building advanced technological capabilities that can contribute meaningfully to India's emerging quantum ecosystem. Q-Hub has been envisioned as much more than a conventional academic laboratory. It brings together quantum computing, superconducting quantum hardware, cryogenic systems, RF and control engineering, research, education, innovation and industry collaboration under a single platform. Our aspiration is to move from learning quantum technology to engineering quantum systems and ultimately creating quantum technologies in India.”

Participants described the programme as an important opportunity to connect quantum concepts with real-world engineering applications. Their exposure to international laboratories and advanced quantum infrastructure deepened their understanding of the design, development and manufacturing of quantum computing components.

Scheduled to be inaugurated on 13 October 2026, Q-Hub Lab will serve as an integrated platform for quantum education, faculty development, student training, research and innovation. By bringing together academia, industry, start-ups, government agencies and international partners, the centre aims to contribute to the development of a skilled quantum workforce and strengthen India’s ambition to build indigenous quantum technologies.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings, MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national and multinational corporations seeking top talent.