Photographic exhibition
As part of its Samskruti Sambhrama series, Azim Premji University, in collaboration with the Dr. Siddalingaiah Smaraka Pratishtana, Bengaluru, will host Retrospective: Hole Maadigara Haadu– 50 and Dr. Siddalingaiah’s Legacy on October 17, at Wadia Hall, Basavanagudi. The programme will feature a photographic exhibition on the life and works of Kannada poet writer and activist Siddalingaiah, who championed social equality. His wife, Rama Siddalingaiah, will inaugurate the exhibition, which will be open to the public until October 23.
Reimagine Ideathon 2.0
Central Depository Services (India) Limited invites applications for its Reimagine Ideathon 2.0, inviting students to develop solutions that can strengthen financial awareness and cyber safety .
Eligibility: Students who have completed their Class 12, are 18 years old as on the date of registration, and are currently enrolled in accredited academic institutions in India.
Deadline: October 30
Details at https://ideathon.cdslindia.com/
Educator development conference
Canadian International School, Bangalore, will host TeachConx, a two-day educator development conference on October 29 and 30, themed Unlearning. It will bring together teachers, school leaders and education professionals for practical sessions on modern assessment, digital integration, student agency and inclusive learning. The deadline to register is October 26. Details at https://tinyurl.com/8r3jkrj8
Admissions and scholarships
Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has extended the registration window for the NMAT by GMAC 2026 exam to October 25. Eligible candidates can apply at mba.com/nmat
The University of Melbourne and IISER Tirupati have launched a 2+2 dual-degree programme, allowing Indian students to earn Bachelor of Science (Honours) degrees from both institutions. Majors include Biotechnology, Chemistry, Ecosystem Science, Environmental Science, Food Science, Genetics, Physics and Plant Science. Students enrolled in the degree will automatically also join the Science Global Scholars Programme. For details on the course, eligibility, how to apply, and more, visit https://tinyurl.com/3pxds29w
IIIT Bangalore has opened applications for its Term II 2026–27 research programmes, including Integrated PhD, PhD and full-time MS by Research degrees in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Networking, Communications, VLSI, Maths, and Physics.
Eligibility: MS by Research — a four-year Bachelor’s in Engineering or equivalent; Ph.D. programme — Master’s in Engineering or equivalent; Integrated Ph.D. — a four-year Bachelor’s in Engineering or Science, a UG score of at least 75%, and a valid GATE score. Domain-specific eligibility requirements are available on the website.
Deadline: November 9
For details on the programmes, eligibility, stipend, and more, visit www.iiitb.ac.in
The University of Sheffield, the U.K., is inviting applications for its MSc Artificial Intelligence for Engineering course starting in September 2027. Scholarships are available. Deadline to apply for scholarship is July 6, 2027
Eligibility: Holders of a 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% from a recognised university in a relevant subject with relevant modules. Degrees in the following subject areas are accepted: Engineering, Maths, and Physics. IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
Deadline: August 26, 2027
Details at https://tinyurl.com/495hz8vx
Istituto MarangoniRiyadh is offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes for the Saudi Fashion Commission, and applications are open.
Commences: January 2027
Courses: Bachelor’s programmes include majors such as Fashion Design and Accessories; Fashion Communication and Image, AND Fashion Management and Digital Communication. The PG course includes Fashion and Luxury Brand Management.
Deadline: November 4
Visit https://tinyurl.com/3k2uwh9e for details
The Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, is offering the Dean’s International Excellence Awards for Masters courses.
Value: £9,000 and £12,000
Eligibility: Students must have a UK first class UG degree or international equivalent
Deadline: November 30
For subject eligibility and other criteria, visit https://tinyurl.com/yprhr5pn
Events
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra hosted its 36th convocation where 2,984 students received their degrees. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, was the chief guest.
Universal Ai University has appointed Capt. Vivek S. Anand as Pro Vice Chancellor – Operations. His previous roles include serving on the Andhra Pradesh government’s Maritime Think Tank Advisory Panel, the Court of the University of Pondicherry, and the Indian Maritime University’s Faculty Recruitment Panel.
NIPS Institute of Hotel Management has appointed hotelier Shekhar Mukherjee as Executive Director. He previously served as General Manager at TajSATS Kolkata, and on the Board of Governors of IHM Kolkata.
Students and faculty from VIT Bhopal University participated in CM Youth Samvaad 2026 at Bhopal’s Lal Parade Ground, organised by the Madhya Pradesh Department of Higher Education. In the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, students showcased three incubator-backed startups—Sentoryx, VEAYOS Pvt. Ltd. and KRAVEO. The event featured over 80 stalls highlighting initiatives and emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and drones.
BML Munjal University hosted the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Trade and Sustainability (ICATS 2026). It brought together over 400 participants from Indian and international universities to discuss AI, Industry 4.0, sustainable business models, and global academic collaboration through keynote talks, panel discussions, and research sessions.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood and Da One Group Chairperson Shikhar Dhawan inaugurated a STEM lab at CM Shri School, Janakpuri, under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, supported by Sportskeeda. The initiative aims to expand technology-enabled learning across Delhi government schools.
UPES’ School of Health Sciences and Technology inaugurated the World Congress on Health Sciences and Technology 2026, themed Transforming Health through Research and Innovation. The event brought together global experts for discussions and workshops on healthcare innovation, alongside an exhibition showcasing research prototypes, diagnostic tools and emerging health technologies.
The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) hosted the fourth edition of Dialogues on Development Management 2026 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, exploring the theme What Makes Social Change Last? It brought together leaders, including Capgemini India’s Ashwin Yardi, Mann Deshi Bank founder Chetna Sinha, and ISDM president Ravi Sreedharan, to discuss sustaining social change.
Rocket Learning hosted Udaan 2026, themed From Surviving to Thriving, focusing on early childhood care and education. Discussions covered strengthening Anganwadis, investing in child development and using technology to improve outcomes. Speakers included representatives from NITI Aayog, government ministries, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and leading research institutions.
Shiv Nadar University Chennai, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority hosted a workshop on digital financial literacy, focusing on Gen-Z’s role in building a financially secure India. Discussions covered cyber fraud, financial crime, insurance, and the importance of sound financial planning for long-term wellbeing.
NIIT University has launched an AI Centre of Excellence equipped with NVIDIA technologies and advanced GPU computing. The centre will give students hands-on experience in developing and deploying AI models from their first year, with applications spanning generative and agentic AI, robotics, perception systems and human-computer interaction.
Air India is offering students a 10% discount on domestic base fares for eligible bookings made until October 20, 2026. Its year-round student programme also provides up to 10% off eligible fares, an extra 10 kg of baggage and one complimentary date change. Students can access the offers through airindia.com or the Air India mobile app.
Aakash Education Services Limited has launched Aakash INVICTUS-Engineering 2.0 for students preparing for JEE Main, JEE Advanced and State CETs. The programme offers four focused batches: Ace, Achiever, Accelerator and Apex. Details at https://invictus.aakash.ac.in/invictus
GITAM’s Bengaluru School of Sciences and School of Computer Science and Engineering, in collaboration with IBM Quantum, hosted IBM Qiskit Fall Fest 2026. The event featured expert talks and hands-on sessions on quantum algorithms, machine learning, cybersecurity, cryptography, and emerging quantum applications.
ETASHA Society has launched DigiSaksham, an online platform to help young people build digital literacy and stay safe online. It covers common risks such as fake job offers, scholarship scams, phishing links, misinformation and payment fraud. Ian McBride, BT Group’s Head of Responsible Business and Social Impact – India, was the chief guest.
Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology’s Mechanical Engineering Department hosted the International Conference on Advanced Materials, Smart Manufacturing and Sustainable Energy Systems 2026, focusing on emerging technologies and sustainable engineering solutions. E. Hemanth Rao, Head of the Sodium Loop Section at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, delivered the inaugural address.
The School of Liberal Arts at NMIMS, Navi Mumbai, organised a mental health awareness week featuring interactive activities, panel discussions and student poster presentations on psychological disorders. The initiative encouraged conversations around emotional awareness, self-care, social connection and mental wellbeing.
Gujarat Science City, under the state’s Department of Science and Technology, organised an STEM- and AI-based treasure hunt at the Micron Starlight Festival 2026, where students tackled interactive puzzles and challenges.
IIM Nagpur hosted Margdarshak’s Meet 2026, where over 60 industry mentors guided Professional Management Practice students on transitioning to corporate life. Former HPCL Chairman and MD Pushp Kumar Joshi was the chief guest. The institute also partnered with the Help the Blind Foundation for a walkathon, where 25 blindfolded students and staff volunteers were guided by 25 visually-impaired students.
IIM Lucknow concluded summer placements for the 42nd PGP and 23rd PGP in Agribusiness Management batches, with recruiters including Amazon, Adobe, Accenture, American Express, Deutsche Bank, EY-Parthenon, HUL, ITC and Aditya Birla Group.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati inaugurated a Boeing Sukanya Programme STEM lab and Aeromodeling Training Center at Kosala School in Bargarh district. The facility will offer hands-on learning in STEM, aviation and aeromodelling, benefiting over 2,000 students annually.
K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce and K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies, with support from the Indian Council of Social Science Research hosted an international conference on Indian Scientific Heritages: Texts, Techniques, Technological Insights. Scholars presented 57 papers exploring topics ranging from Aryabhata’s Maths and calendar astronomy to temple architecture and traditional environmental knowledge in the context of climate change.
JD Institute of Fashion Technology celebrated its 38th anniversary with students, staff and industry guests, including designer Archana Kochhar and photographer Vikram Bawa. Meanwhile, 27 students from its Fashion, Interior Design and Visual Communication programmes were selected as finalists for an industry apprenticeship at the India Design Show in Mumbai.
Anant National University, in collaboration with the Global Village Foundation, hosted the Design(ing) Futures symposium featuring architect Raj Rewal. The event included a screening of Indian Modernity: The Architecture of Raj Rewal and the launch of Backpackers Academy of Life Trail 1: Kerala, with its first trail planned for December.
MediaTek and ThinkStartup have launched Future Minds: Powering the Disruptors of Tomorrow, a year-long entrepreneurship programme for 6,000 students from classes 8–12 across 30 states. Targeting underserved communities, it will cover business fundamentals, finance and idea development through masterclasses, mentoring and pitch sessions, culminating in a national showcase in May 2027.
Noida International University organised Rubaru Freshers 2026, for its incoming batch of over 10,000 students with singer and actor Parmish Verma performing at the event.
Sharda University hosted UP Rise 2026, a Uttar Pradesh government initiative connecting students with industry, government schemes, and emerging career opportunities. It featured pitch sessions, industry challenges, and mentorship, along with on-the-spot registration for schemes such as CM Yuva Yojana, PMKVY and Mission Shakti.
The Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, in collaboration with SpaceAdhyaan, an ISRO-registered Space Tutor, and ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre, hosted Rocket Innovation for School Excellence (RISE) 2026 themed Ideas | Innovation | Igniting Tomorrow – Explore, Learn, Innovate, Lead where 84 young scientists from five schools participated in the Working Model and Display Model categories.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched Brave Buddy, a play-based personal safety programme for children aged 3-13 years. Nearly 9,000 BMC schoolteachers are being trained by Target Learning Ventures to teach physical, emotional, mental and digital safety using four age-specific kits available in Marathi and English.
The Department of Psychiatry at Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, marked World Mental Health Day 2026 with student-led activities themed Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change. Poster-making, quizzes, and reel-making competitions engaged MBBS students and interns in raising awareness, challenging misconceptions and promoting empathy and non-judgemental care among future doctors.
Research and studies
An EY-Parthenon report, developed with FICCI, finds that students increasingly use AI for tutoring, editing and brainstorming, but campus guidelines on appropriate use, academic integrity and learning outcomes remain uneven. Titled From AI Adoption to Readiness: Preparing Indian Higher Education for the AI Era, it draws on over 61 stakeholder interactions across over 23 higher education institutions, including interviews and student focus groups.
Prof. P.K. Giri and research team Sanjoy Sur Roy, Sanju Nandi, Debabrata Sahu, Garima Choudhary, Prof. M. Meyyappan, from IIT Guwahati, and Saswata Goswami and Prof. Chandra Sekhar Tiwary from IIT Kharagpur have developed a low-energy, light-sensitive device that can detect, store and process visual information. The technology could advance facial recognition, robotic vision and smart computing. The findings were published in the journal Carbon.
Researchers from Nagaland University and IIT Bombay have proposed a two-dimensional lattice design that could simplify the control of unusual quantum states using magnetic fields. The work may pave the way for advanced quantum sensors, programmable devices and new quantum materials. The findings appeared in the Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter.
Prof. Susmita Mishra and research graduate Pratima Minz of NIT Rourkela have developed a patented material to remove excess fluoride from contaminated groundwater. Made from jackfruit peel-derived activated carbon and modified with zirconium, the material could offer an approach to tackling fluoride contamination in drinking water across India.
Awards, laurels, rankings
Students from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, won first prize at Azim Premji University’s 10th National Social Enterprise Idea Challenge. Two teams from Azim Premji University secured second and third places, while Lovely Professional University also bagged third place.
Progress Software has named Ashvitha of KPR Institute of Engineering and Technologyand Naga Devi of Prasad V Potluri Siddhartha Institute of Technology as recipients of its 2026 Akanksha Scholarship for Women in STEM in India. Both are Computer Science Engineering students.
Indian student Pratyush Prabhakar has been elected Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. He will co-chair the school’s Academic Affairs Committee with the Dean, focusing on student concerns related to academics, curriculum and advising.
JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur, concluded its national management event, BIZVERSE’26. Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, won the Meme Marketing competition, while Poornima University topped Prompt Battle. Vivekananda Global University and Mandsaur University were runners-up in Biz Lab and Biz Reel, respectively.
Sumant Gupta, a student of PhysicsWallah (PW) Vidyapeeth studying in class 12 at ASPAM Scottish School, Sector 62, Noida, won the Gold Medal for India at the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) 2026, held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Symbiosis Law School, Pune, won the 7th Dr. M.V.V.S. Murthi Moot Court Competition, organised by GITAM School of Law, GITAM (Deemed to be University), while National Law Institute University, Bhopal, was the runner-up.
Seven faculty members from Mohan Babu University, 25 from Shoolini University, 20 from Marwadi University, 29 faculty members and 1 research graduate from NIT Rourkela, and researchers Prof. Prabhakar Sharma, Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; Prof. Ambrish Singh, Department of Chemistry; Prof. Joginder Singh, Department of Botany, and Prof. Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Department of Biotechnology, from Nagaland University, were recognised among the World’s Top 2% Scientists in the latest list released by Elsevier, based on data prepared by Stanford University researchers. Professors Ambrish Singh, Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, and Joginder Singh, were also featured in the Career-Long Top 2% Scientists list.
Ashoka University won awards for Excellence in Financial Sustainability, and Student Access and Excellence in Globalisation, at the 12th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards 2026. Also, Rishikesha T. Krishna, Vice Chancellor, won the FICCI Personality of the Year Award 2026. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, won the University of the Year 2026 and Excellence in Digital Transformation 2026 awards.
Suborno Bose, Founder and Chairman of the International Institute of Hotel Management, was conferred the Iconic Excellence in Hospitality Education Award at the ninth edition of the WION ICONIC Tourism Summit 2026.
IIM Bangalore was ranked 11 globally among the top 50 business schools, and #1 in India, in the Financial Times’ 2026 assessment of the influence of academic work on business and policy practice.
Jagdish Sheth School of Management received a five-year re-accreditation from the South Asian Quality Assurance System (SAQS), awarded by the Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia. It also ranked #1 in Bengaluru, #2 in Karnataka, #5 in South India, and #14 among Private B-Schools in India, in the Business Today Best B-Schools Ranking2026.
Collaborations
GSFC University, Vadodara, has signed an MoU with Lupin Manufacturing Solutions Ltd to strengthen industry-academia ties and give students greater exposure to internships, placements, industrial visits, certification courses and skill development programmes.
BNY and Cummins College of Engineering for Women have launched Shakti Alliance, a multi-year initiative to nurture future women technology leaders through AI and engineering education, faculty development, AI research labs and hands-on learning.
IIT Roorkee has signed an agreement with the University of Calgary for a Joint Doctoral Degree Programme to boost research and academic collaboration, and also partnered with Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission to support women-led handloom enterprises and preserve Tripura’s traditional handloom sector.
VIT Bhopal University has signed an MoU with the University of Edinburgh, the U.K., to offer eligible students 2+2 and 2+3 study pathways, combining two years at VIT Bhopal with further study at Edinburgh.
Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, has launched Manipal House of Quantum, Quantum-Hub@MAHE, to promote quantum hardware research, engineering education and indigenous technology development. In collaboration with QuantrolOx, Finland, in association with Bluefors, Finland, Qblox, the Netherlands, and ConScience, Sweden, the facility will support research in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, oncology, aerospace and advanced computing. Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu was the chief guest, while ConScience CTO Marcus Rommel was the guest of honour.