University News

The Presidency School of Commerce conducted an interactive session with students, sharing insights on the journey of the iconic brand of Mysore Sandal Soap, Dr Prashanth P.K.M. (IFS), who is the Managing Director of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd.

Dr Prashanth P.K.M. shared his experience on the legacy of Mysore Sandal Soap and the importance of brand heritage, innovation, strategic leadership and customer trust to create a brand of enduring legacy.

Entrepreneurship, resilience, ethical leadership and creating sustainable value were also part of the interaction, giving students some insights into their academic life at the university.

The session was part of its Orientation Programme which was planned to introduce the students to the industry experience and the actual business insights, the university noted.

Engaging with the industry is an essential part of learning at Presidency University, the university said, and it helps to prepare students for the ever-changing sphere of business and commerce.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched applications for MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0, a program aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. The application deadline for Avantika University's call for aspiring innovators and startups to submit their ideas under various technology themes is July 14, 2026.

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 Applications Now Open

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 invites innovators, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to submit their ideas to bring them to life. The programme offers selected participants an opportunity to receive funding of up to ₹15 lakh, along with incubation support to help develop and commercialise innovative ideas.

.Avantika University, the host institution

Avantika University is hosting the MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 in partnership with the MSME and EduGild Innovation Foundation.

The university has received over ₹70 lakh in total funding from earlier sessions of the programme, it said. It also said four ideas were accepted in the first go, and received a funding of ₹52.75 lakh.

Themes of MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 will invite ideas from various emerging technology fields such as:

• Renewable Energy
• Energy Efficiency
• Automotive Technology
• Industry 4.0 and 5.0
• Robotics and Automation
• Other Frontier Technologies

The program will provide mentorship, incubation and funding for innovative solutions with commercial and societal impact.

Application deadline

The last date for the applications of MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 is July 14, 2026. Those interested may submit their proposals via the official MSME Idea Hackathon portal. The program offers a space for innovators to build technology-based solutions and meet the nation's startup community, the university said.

With the support of the policy for innovation-driven entrepreneurship in India, programs like the MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 are likely to offer emerging entrepreneurs a chance to turn their fledgling ideas into viable businesses.

Vivekananda Global University (VGU) has secured top positions across multiple categories in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026, including the No. 1 rank for Private Architecture Colleges and B-Schools under State Private Universities in Rajasthan. The latest rankings recognise the university's performance across architecture, management, design, law, engineering, journalism and hospitality.

IIRF India University Rankings 2026: VGU records multiple top rankings in Rajasthan

Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, has been recognised across several academic disciplines in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026, securing leading positions among private higher education institutions in Rajasthan.

According to information released by the university following the publication of the rankings, VGU was ranked No. 1 Best Architecture College (Private) in Rajasthan. It also secured the No. 1 position among B-Schools under State Private Universities in Rajasthan.

The IIRF India University Rankings 2026 further placed the university second among the Best Design Colleges under Private Universities in Rajasthan.

Which rankings did VGU receive in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026?

The university received recognition in several disciplines in the IIRF India University Rankings 2026. Its rankings include:

• No. 1 Best Architecture College (Private) in Rajasthan
• No. 1 B-School under State Private University in Rajasthan
• No. 2 Best Design College under Private Universities in Rajasthan
• No. 3 New Age Private University in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Best Private B-School in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Journalism & Mass Communication Colleges in Rajasthan
• No. 3 Best Hospitality College (Private) in Rajasthan
• No. 4 Top Private Law College in Rajasthan
• No. 6 Best Engineering College under Private University in Rajasthan

What are the IIRF India University Rankings?

The IIRF India University Rankings are annual rankings that assess higher education institutions across multiple disciplines. Universities and colleges are evaluated under different categories, allowing prospective students to compare institutions within specific academic streams.

The IIRF India University Rankings 2026 include rankings for universities, engineering, management, architecture, law, design, journalism and hospitality institutions, among other categories.

Rankings highlight performance across professional education disciplines

The latest IIRF India University Rankings 2026 place VGU among the higher-ranked private institutions in Rajasthan across several professional education streams.

Its rankings span architecture, management, design, journalism and mass communication, hospitality, law and engineering, reflecting the university's presence across multiple academic disciplines.

In its statement, the university said the recognition reflects its continued focus on academic excellence, innovation, industry-oriented education and student development. It also acknowledged the contribution of its students, faculty members, alumni and academic partners towards these achievements.

The latest results add to the university's performance across state-level higher education rankings, particularly in professional programmes where institutions are evaluated separately by discipline.

Acharya College of Nursing has been recognised among the Top Nursing Colleges in Karnataka 2026 by Higher Education Review, marking another milestone in the institution's journey of delivering quality nursing education and preparing skilled healthcare professionals.

Established in 2003, the college has built its academic reputation by combining classroom learning with extensive clinical exposure, simulation-based training, and strong industry partnerships. The recognition reflects the institution's continued focus on academic excellence and practice-oriented learning.

According to the institution, Acharya College of Nursing offers both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes while emphasising experiential learning through advanced simulation laboratories, clinical practice, and hospital-based training. Students also benefit from a mentor-mentee system designed to provide personalised academic guidance and professional development throughout their educational journey.

The college provides clinical exposure through its parent hospitals as well as affiliated healthcare institutions, including Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Spandana Hospital, and Kadamba Hospital. These partnerships enable students to gain practical experience and develop the clinical competencies required in professional nursing practice.

The institution stated that its integrated approach to nursing education focuses on strengthening clinical judgment, critical thinking, technological proficiency, leadership abilities, and patient-centred care, preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

Acharya College of Nursing also highlighted the success of its graduates, many of whom have secured placements with leading healthcare organisations, including Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospitals, and Aster CMI Hospital, reflecting the industry's confidence in the institution's training and academic standards.

Under the leadership of Chairman Dr. B. Vijaypal Reddy, the college continues to work towards its vision of becoming a global centre of excellence in nursing education by combining academic rigour, practical learning, and professional skill development.

The recognition by Higher Education Review further reinforces Acharya College of Nursing's commitment to producing competent, compassionate, and future-ready nursing professionals equipped to contribute to the healthcare sector.

In a gesture aimed at supporting community welfare and the spirit of seva, Chancellor S. Gurvinder Singh Bahra donated a bus to Gurudwara Baba Deep Singh Ji.

The contribution has been made to strengthen the activities of the Gurudwara and to help meet the needs of the sangat, the university said. The initiative by Rayat Bahra University reflects the values of compassion, selfless service, and giving back to the community.

The donation aims to support the Gurudwara's mission of service to society and its community initiatives. The university said the initiative is inspired by the belief that service to humanity is one of the most meaningful ways to create a positive social impact.

The university highlighted the significance of seva and how these actions foster the spirit of togetherness and collective responsibility for society. The contribution also speaks to a continued focus on the welfare of the community and humanitarian values.

The university said it hopes the donation will go on to help the Gurudwara in its mission, to serve the community, while also inspiring more acts of compassion and social responsibility.

A significant chapter in Chennai's higher education history is unfolding as several of the city's long-standing men's colleges have begun admitting women to their undergraduate programmes, marking a decisive shift towards co-education and greater inclusivity.

Leading the transformation is Loyola College, which opened its undergraduate programmes to women in 2022 after nearly a century as an all-male institution. The move has steadily reshaped campus demographics, with women now accounting for nearly one in every ten students at the college.

Inspired by this transition, two other historic institutions have followed suit this academic year. The 184-year-old Pachaiyappa's College and the 75-year-old The New College have also welcomed female students into their undergraduate programmes, effectively ending an era when some of Chennai's most prestigious colleges were exclusively for men.

The shift reflects broader changes in India's higher education landscape, where many institutions are reconsidering traditional admission policies in favour of co-educational learning environments. Supporters of the move say mixed-gender classrooms better prepare students for modern workplaces, where collaboration across genders is the norm rather than the exception.

The decision is also expected to expand educational opportunities for female students seeking admission to some of Tamil Nadu's most established colleges. Institutions such as Loyola College, Pachaiyappa's College and C. Kandaswami Naidu College for Men have long been recognised for their academic legacy, but their undergraduate programmes remained inaccessible to women for decades because of their men-only admission policies.

The transition mirrors a wider trend across Indian higher education, where several historically single-gender institutions have embraced co-education in recent years to promote diversity, equal access, and inclusive campuses. Education experts have increasingly argued that co-educational environments help students develop stronger interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills while reflecting the realities of contemporary professional life.

For Chennai, the move represents more than an admission policy change. It signals the evolution of some of the city's oldest educational institutions as they adapt to changing social expectations and the growing demand for equitable access to quality higher education.

With admissions underway for the 2026 academic session, the decision is likely to influence future policies at other traditional institutions, reinforcing the idea that academic excellence and inclusivity can go hand in hand in India's evolving higher education system.