University News

In a significant sporting achievement, PES University student Dhruthika N Andan has delivered an exceptional performance at the ASMITA Khelo India Women Fencing League 2025–26, emerging as one of the standout athletes of the tournament. She is a 4th Semester BBA – Sports Management student, who has secured a gold medal in the Under-20 category and a bronze medal in the senior category. Dhruthika competed against some of the top fencers and won the title. 

This prestigious fencing league was held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on April 6–7, 2026, bringing together talented women fencers from all over India. Despite the high level of competition, Dhruthika showed her remarkable skill, discipline, and composure on the piste, successfully competing across two different categories, an achievement that reflects both her versatility and competitive strength.

Her dual podium finish is particularly noteworthy in a sport like fencing, which demands precision, agility, and strategic thinking under pressure. By excelling in both the Under-20 and Senior categories, she has showcased not only technical excellence but also the mental resilience required to perform consistently at higher levels.

Her win is not just a reflection of her skills and potential but an applaud to the university and her parents too. The university through its athletic programs enables students to engage in both academic studies and competitive sports. The university maintains its support for complete student development which helps Dhruthika achieve success in her studies as well as her national competitions.

Dhruthika N Andan’s success at the Khelo India platform brings pride to PSE University while also adding to the growing recognition of women athletes in India. The athlete reached this milestone which marks an essential point in her development toward a successful and inspiring career.

Modi Tattva, a term that caught the attention of the country recently, is on its way to make history. The current education trend has three specific phrases: "Modi Tattva course,” "Modi Tattva university" and "new sociology syllabus India" which originated from Gujarat and gained national recognition. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has introduced a new sociology module titled "Modi Tattva" which studies Narendra Modi's leadership through academic research.

What Is 'Modi Tattva' and Why Is It Trending?

“Modi Tattva” is designed as a sociology-based study of leadership, governance, and public influence. Instead of treating leadership as a historical concept, the course examines a contemporary political figure in real time, making it highly relevant and widely discussed.

The module uses charismatic authority as a sociological framework to study how leaders achieve their social influence. Students will examine the relationship between leadership and three elements which include social structures and communication methods and public outreach activities.

The topic has gone viral on search engines and social media because it mandated the study of a current political leader – PM Modi. 

Which University has Introduced Modi Tattva as a Mandatory Subject? Why?

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has introduced the course as part of its updated sociology program for the upcoming academic year. The subject matter includes Indian perspectives  in sociology through its main framework which includes three specific areas of study:

• Sociology of patriotism
• Indian knowledge systems
• Social organisations and movements

As per the university, the aim behind the introduction of this subject is to develop educational programs that better serve students by providing research-based and situation-specific learning experiences which reflect current Indian educational needs. 

The university also wanted to create a subject that would enable students to learn through both traditional classroom instruction and practical applications of their studies. The introduction of "Modi Tattva module" reflects three key goals:

• Bringing contemporary leadership into academic discussion
• Aligning curriculum with Indian socio-political realities
• Encouraging students to analyse governance and public influence in real time

Indian universities are currently following a trend of updating their educational programs by including both indigenous and contemporary Indian perspectives instead of using only established Western educational methods.

What Are People Saying?

The course has created powerful educational disputes which currently represent the most contentious academic issue in India. 

Supporters are saying:

• It is a valid academic case study of a globally recognised leader
• Sociology should include current and evolving examples
• Indian universities should concentrate their educational programs on content that relates specifically to India

Critics, however, have raised concerns about:

• Studying a current political leader in academia
• The possibility of bias in curriculum design
• The broader direction of higher education reforms

The mixed responses to this topic has created a trend of modi tattva with debate still on in comment sections as well as in the academic ecosystem.  

What This Means for Students

The implementation of "Modi Tattva"  transforms the teaching methods of how subjects like sociology are taught. 

This also reflects how university programs are expanding their educational scope beyond historical theories to develop:

• Real-time case studies
• Current event and governance connections to theoretical content
• Critical analysis programs for modern societal problems

This method creates an interactive educational experience which benefits students pursuing public policy and sociology and political studies. 

A Trending Subject in Sociology

The "Modi Tattva" module is indeed a new syllabus element that brings about educational changes which affect Indian educational systems and make a historic move. 

The answer to "What is Modi Tattva?" and "Which university introduced Modi Tattva?" shows that Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda developed the new sociology module which examines Narendra Modi's leadership through academic methods. 

With the new academic session a couple of weeks away, the 'Modi Tattva' module remains a focal point and highly controversial topic in India’s educational ecosystem. 

Shoolini University has achieved a significant advancement through its current ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026 which establishes its status as a growing academic institution that operates at both national and international levels. 

The university has achieved a #158 rank throughout Asia which positions it among the most prestigious educational establishments that exist across the entire continent. The university has achieved its highest academic standing in India which ranks it as the fourth best institution throughout the country. Shoolini University has achieved a second place ranking in India for International Outlook which measures the university's global partnerships and its various student and faculty demographics and its international research activities.

What the Ranking Means

The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings use six essential performance indicators to assess educational institutions which include teaching quality and research output and citations and industry income and international outlook. 

Shoolini University demonstrates its academic strengths through its research output and innovation achievements and international collaborations which constitute its primary focus areas. The university maintains its international standing through numerous cross-border academic partnerships which also establish a worldwide educational network.

A Reflection of Consistent Growth

Shoolini University has built its reputation through research-based education and industry-oriented programs since its establishment. The current ranking shows that the university has maintained its upward progress since its last assessment.

The university achieved a top-five ranking in India which established it as one of the top educational institutions that compete with established higher education institutions. The current progress results from ongoing efforts to enhance research standards while developing international collaborations and improving student life at the university.

Why This Matters for Students

The THE ranking system establishes an essential standard for students who want to pursue higher education. The university's ranking determines:

• The university provides superior academic materials and teaching staff 
• Students gain access to international study opportunities 
• The institution develops a strong research and innovation framework 
• Students improve their job prospects through better academic performance

Shoolini University ranks in the Asia rankings which demonstrates that students who select this university will experience an education that prepares them for international scholarly competition.

Vision of the University

Shoolini University’s rise in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026 reflects a broader shift, where Indian institutions are increasingly competing on the global stage.

An institution requires more than its rankings to establish its identity yet those rankings show the institution's current path. The current rankings of Shoolini University shows its dedication to maintaining high standards while expanding its international partnerships and pursuing ongoing development.

Last but not the least, this achievement is a reminder that Indian higher education is evolving, and institutions like Shoolini are helping lead that change. 

The ECSTRA Innovation & Startup Meet 2026 concluded successfully at Era University, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, students, investors, and industry leaders on a common platform.

Centered on the theme “Digital Solutions for Today’s Healthcare Challenges,” the event focused on how technology is shaping and transforming the healthcare sector. Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions and activities designed to explore innovative approaches to current healthcare needs.

Event Highlights

The meet featured a range of sessions and activities, including expert talks, keynote addresses, and a panel discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical education. Attendees also participated in networking sessions and exhibitions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.

Startup Pitch Competition

A major highlight of the event was the Startup Pitch Competition, where five startups presented their ideas and solutions. Three startups were recognized for their innovation, impact, and scalability:

• Amcare Medical Services India Pvt. Ltd. (First Prize)
• PolyPharm Guard (Second Prize)
• Diagno Plus+ (Third Prize)

The winners were awarded cash prizes and recognition for their contributions to healthcare innovation.

Key Sessions and Participation

The event included a structured lineup of sessions such as a welcome address, discussions on innovation at Era University, an introduction to ECSTRA, an innovation-focused talk, a panel discussion on AI in healthcare and medical education, and startup pitch presentations.

The organizers acknowledged the contributions of speakers, participants, and partners for the success of the event. Dr. Shujaat Haider Jafri served as an additional judge for the startup competition.

The event was coordinated by organizing secretaries Prof. (Dr.) Ghazala Zaidi, Mr. Mohd Azharuddin, Prof. (Dr.) Santosh Kumar, and Mr. Abbas Naqvi.

ECSTRA Innovation & Startup Meet 2026 provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing the growing role of digital innovation in addressing contemporary healthcare challenges.

The Career Services Centre at Bennett University, in partnership with the Times School of Media, hosted an inspiring session with Mr. Nikhil Dey, Executive Director at Adfactors PR. The students learned about current media trends together with methods for successful communication practices.

The session took place yesterday, April 28, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in ALH 301 on the Bennett University campus.

Mr. Dey explained different aspects of the media industry because he showed the audience how various media improvements shape professional career growth through planned communication activities. The audience learned from him because he shared his real-world industry knowledge together with his professional workplace expertise.

Mr. Nikhil Dey explained during the session that contemporary media dynamics require people to understand the value of strategic communication for effective organizational management.

Bennett University students who participated in this interactive session developed vital professional abilities together with knowledge about the media industry, which enabled them to succeed in their future media-related jobs.

About Bennett University

Bennett University, established by The Times Group, provides exceptional educational programs in media studies and management training and engineering degrees and legal education. The Times School of Media offers programs that combine contemporary educational methods with strong ties to the media industry.

Dr. V. Balaji, Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science and Engineering at RV University, has won the Best Paper Award at the 2nd International Conference on Data Engineering & Machine Intelligence (ICDEMI 2025). The Springer-indexed conference recognized his groundbreaking research on AI-driven gesture recognition for better accessibility.

The award-winning paper, titled ‘Echo-Sign: Dynamic Gesture Recognition for an Interactive AI Mobile Application for Persons with Hearing Impairment’, introduces an innovative mobile app solution. Co-authored by Dr. Balaji and his team, it uses artificial intelligence to enable real-time, seamless communication through dynamic hand gestures. This technology allows individuals with hearing impairments to interact with digital devices more naturally, bridging gaps in everyday digital access like sign language translation and app navigation.

Dr. Balaji's work stands out in a field where AI is increasingly applied to social good. The Echo-Sign system processes complex gestures with high accuracy, making it a practical tool for inclusive tech. 

Why This Matters for Tech and Education

ICDEMI 2025, a key platform for data engineering and machine intelligence research, drew global experts. The Best Paper Award highlights papers with strong innovation, methodology, and real-world impact. Dr. Balaji's project aligns with global pushes for inclusive technology, as seen in UN Sustainable Development Goals for reduced inequalities.

RV University, known for its focus on interdisciplinary tech research, celebrated the win as a milestone. The paper's emphasis on hearing-impaired users addresses a critical need; over 466 million people worldwide face disabling hearing loss, per WHO data, often excluded from standard digital interfaces.

A Step Toward Universal AI

Tech leaders praise such efforts. The app's potential extends to education, healthcare, and public services, where gesture interfaces could replace cumbersome text or voice inputs.

RV University's School of Computer Science continues to lead in applied AI, with ongoing projects in health tech and sustainability.

Key Takeaways

• Award: Best Paper at ICDEMI 2025 for Echo-Sign gesture AI app.
• Impact: Boosts digital access for hearing-impaired via real-time gesture recognition.
• Big Picture: Shows AI's role in inclusive tech innovation.

This achievement puts RV University on the map for accessible AI research.