Engineering the Future: Global Leaders Converge at GITAM for ICTIEE 2026

Bengaluru, January 8, 2026:
GITAM (Deemed to be University) hosted the 13th International Conference on Transformations in Engineering Education (ICTIEE 2026) at its Bengaluru campus, bringing together global academic and industry leaders to reimagine the future of engineering education in an AI-driven world.

Organised in collaboration with the Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education (IUCEE Foundation), the conference was themed “Transforming Teaching and Learning Ecosystems in the AI-Driven World.” Over 500 delegates participated in the two-day forum, which focused on building interactive, resilient and student-centric learning environments. The conference also witnessed the presentation of 76 research papers by faculty members, which will be published in the Journal of Engineering Education Transformations (JEET).

The event was graced by Dr. S. Vidyashankar, Vice Chancellor, Visvesvaraya Technological University; Dr. Ashok S. Shettar, Pro Chancellor, KLE Technological University; and Prof. Basavaraj Gundappa K, Pro Vice Chancellor, GITAM University, Bengaluru and Conference General Chair, along with other dignitaries, faculty members and students.

Dr. Vidyashankar stressed that transformation in engineering education is no longer optional, stressing the need to adopt global best practices to keep Indian graduates globally competitive. Dr. Shettar highlighted that classrooms must evolve into centres of innovation, supported by strong multidisciplinary collaboration.

Prof. Basavaraj Gundappa K said, the focus of ICTIEE 2026 was to integrate AI while keeping students at the heart of the learning process. Keynote sessions explored AI-enabled classrooms, gamified curricula and emerging teaching models, reinforcing the view that AI should act as an enabler, not a replacement, for educators.

The conference also featured a panel discussion on leadership in the age of AI and hosted the IUCEE Annual Student Forum 2026, offering students a platform to showcase innovation, collaboration and leadership.

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UK’s University of Liverpool Lays Foundation Stone for Bengaluru Campus

University of Liverpool Breaks Ground for Bengaluru Campus, Strengthening India–UK Education Ties

Bengaluru, December 15, 2025:
The University of Liverpool on Monday marked a key milestone in its India expansion with a ground-breaking ceremony for its upcoming Bengaluru campus at Alembic City, reinforcing growing India–UK collaboration in higher education and research.

The event was attended by senior leadership from the University of Liverpool, UK government representatives, academic partners and industry leaders, reflecting the university’s focus on building a future-ready education ecosystem aligned with India’s talent and innovation needs.

Among the prominent guests was Chandru Iyer, Deputy British High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, who had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the university at its launch event in May this year. Students from The School of Raya, Bengaluru, added a cultural dimension to the ceremony with a special performance.

The Bengaluru campus, scheduled to begin academic operations in 2026, will be designed as a next-generation learning and research hub combining global academic standards with India’s higher education ambitions. The campus will feature smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, research and innovation spaces, collaboration hubs and access to Bloomberg terminals, creating an integrated environment for academic learning and industry engagement.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said Karnataka’s reputation as a knowledge and technology hub made Bengaluru an ideal location for the university’s India campus. He added that the ground-breaking marked the first step towards creating a world-class learning environment for future students.

Campus architect Ram Joshi said the design draws inspiration from Liverpool’s maritime heritage and Bengaluru’s intellectual energy, transforming the former glass factory site into a space where industry evolves into knowledge.

A member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Liverpool will offer UK-accredited degree programmes in Computer Science, Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Biomedical Sciences and Game Design. The Game Design programme, a first for UK universities in India, will focus on coding, creativity and critical theory to prepare students for the global gaming and interactive media industry.

The University of Liverpool, ranked among the top 150 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings, received approval from the Union Ministry of Education in May 2025 under the UGC’s 2023 regulations, in line with the National Education Policy 2020. Applications for the 2026 academic year are now open.

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New India–Japan Academic Roadmap to Power Next-Gen Learning & Innovation

India–Japan Conclave Strengthens Global Education and AI Collaboration

Bengaluru, 11 December 2025:
O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) hosted a senior delegation from the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) at the India–Japan Higher Education Conclave 2025, held on the theme “Future of Global Education in India and Japan: Exchanging Knowledge and Innovation; AI & The Future of Jobs.”

Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr. M. C. Sudhakar inaugurated the event, noting India’s rapid higher education reforms and the strategic importance of deeper academic partnerships with Japan. Mr. Dilip Thakore, Editor of EducationWorld, delivered the Guest of Honour address, followed by remarks from former Additional Chief Secretary Mr. K. Jairaj, IAS (Retd.). Randstad India MD & CEO Mr. Viswanath PS presented the keynote.

The UTokyo delegation, led by Professor (Dr.) Kaori Hayashi and Professor (Dr.) Satsuki Shioyama, discussed expanding joint research, student mobility and long-term collaboration. JGU’s Founding Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, highlighted that JGU is the first Indian university with both a student exchange agreement and a short-term study abroad programme with UTokyo, aligned with India’s NEP 2020 and Japan’s global engagement goals.

Professor Hayashi encouraged more Indian students to study in Japan, noting that UTokyo currently hosts only about 80. She emphasised Japan’s safe environment, equal fee structures and increasing English-medium courses.

A new Short-Term Study Abroad Programme was signed, enabling 40 JGU students to visit UTokyo each summer for academic and cultural immersion.

Discussions throughout the tour focused on dual-degree pathways, faculty exchange, hybrid teaching, co-taught courses and collaborative research. The conclave concluded with commitments to build a long-term roadmap for deeper India–Japan academic partnerships and future-ready innovation ecosystems.

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Aakash Educational Services Signs MoU with Indian Army to Extend Scholarships for Soldiers’ Families

Bengaluru, December 11, 2025:
Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), a leading national institution in test preparation, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to support the educational and welfare needs of Army personnel and their families. The collaboration covers serving soldiers, veterans, gallantry awardees, personnel with disabilities, and the families of soldiers who lost their lives in service.

The agreement was formalised between the Colonel, Ceremonial & Welfare 38.4 of the Indian Army, and Dr. Yash Pal, Chief Academic & Business Head for Delhi-NCR at AESL.

Exclusive Academic Benefits for Army Wards

Under the MoU, AESL will extend a range of fee waivers and scholarships to students from Army families seeking admission at any of its centres across the country. The benefits include:

Full waiver of all fee components (excluding registration charges) for the wards of soldiers who died in the line of duty.

100% tuition fee waiver for children of gallantry awardees and those of personnel with disabilities exceeding 20%.

20% tuition fee waiver for the wards of serving and retired Army personnel, applicable after adjusting other scholarships.

These concessions supplement AESL’s existing scholarship schemes that are open to all students.

Focus on Guidance and Career Support

Beyond financial support, AESL will also provide structured mentoring, academic counselling and career guidance to Army wards throughout the duration of the MoU. These services will be delivered through both online and offline platforms to ensure accessibility for families stationed across diverse regions.

AESL Leadership on the Partnership

Commenting on the initiative, Chandra Sekhar Garisa Reddy, MD & CEO of AESL, said, “Education is the foundation of opportunity. Our partnership with the Indian Army is a tribute to the sacrifices of our soldiers. By extending scholarships, mentoring and counselling, we aim to enable the children of our nation’s heroes to pursue their aspirations with confidence and emerge as future leaders.”

Expanding Support to Uniformed Services

In a continued effort to assist the families of India’s security forces, AESL recently signed a similar MoU with the Central Reserve Police Force Family Welfare Association (CWA). This agreement provides scholarships, academic support and career guidance to children and dependents of CRPF personnel across India.

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Ikigai Law and NLSIU to Host Policy Dialogue on Online Speech Regulation

Bengaluru, November 5, 2025:
Ikigai Law, in collaboration with the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, will host a policy dialogue titled “Truth, Trust & Technology: A Policy Dialogue on Online Speech Regulation” on November 7, 2025, in Central Bengaluru. Shri Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Cabinet Minister for IT/BT and RDPR, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and deliver the keynote address.

The discussion gains significance as India confronts rising concerns over misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech on digital platforms. A recent World Economic Forum survey ranked India among the nations most vulnerable to false information, a challenge that resurfaced during the recent India–Pakistan conflict when social media was flooded with misleading content. 

The dialogue will bring together policymakers, legal experts, journalists, and academics to explore balanced and constitutionally sound approaches to regulating online speech. Two panel discussions will focus on the constitutional boundaries of state-level regulation and the practical challenges of combating misinformation.

Nehaa Chaudhari, Partner at Ikigai Law, said the event aims to encourage “constitutionally anchored, forward-looking policies” that safeguard citizens while preserving free expression. The session will run from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM on November 7.

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