Chandigarh University was awarded the ‘AI-First Organisation’ award at the Republic AI Summit & Awards 2026 by Republic Media. This recognition is a testament to the efforts made by the University in providing AI-integrated education, research, & innovation. This recognition also strengthens the belief of Chandigarh University that artificial intelligence is not just a stream of education, but it is a powerful tool that needs to be experienced and leveraged for the betterment of society.
 

Under the visionary leadership of Honourable Chancellor, Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji, the University continues to advance its mission of delivering future-ready education while driving innovation with purpose. The award was received by Mr. Deep Inder Singh, Hon’ble Senior Managing Director, Chandigarh University, along with Ms. Archita Nandi, CEO-TBI, Chandigarh University, who represented the institution at the ceremony.

From Vision to National Recognition:

What sets Chandigarh University apart is its ability to translate ambition into great and desired outcomes, which is why the ‘AI-First Organisation’ award has been given to CU. The award is also a testimonial of the culmination of sustained efforts that position the University as a national hub for AI-led dialogue and action.

A recent and defining example is India AI Convergence 2026, an official run-up event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, hosted by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at CU-UP. The campus emerged as a national convergence point for AI experts, policymakers, researchers, startups, industry leaders, and educators, where they collectively addressed how the artificial intelligence ecosystem can move beyond & provide life-changing, scalable, real-world solutions.

With national-level hackathons, policy-focused AI events & activities, and innovation-driven platforms such as India AI Convergence 2026, the University has built an ecosystem where classrooms connect seamlessly with boardrooms, and research labs hustle to create impact in society. For example, our students working on AI-driven healthcare diagnostics or smart governance models gain direct exposure & knowledge from industry mentors and policymakers, & understands how AI solutions are actually designed, tested, and deployed in the real world, thus providing necessary solutions to people in the healthcare sector.

These methods not only improve learning outcomes but also align young innovators with India’s national priorities, making them the professionals of tomorrow and key contributors to the country’s digital and technological transformation rather than just being passive learners.

Why the Republic AI Summit & Awards 2026 Matters

The Republic AI Summit & Awards 2026, themed “Cracking India’s AI Code”, was a high-impact national platform focused on accelerating India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem by discussing ideas and possibilities of research with governance and policy implementation. The summit brought together policymakers, academic leaders, industry experts, and governance stakeholders to shape a unified vision for a globally competitive - India-centric AI ecosystem.

Beyond dialogue, the platform recognised institutions and leaders who are actively strengthening India’s path toward AI self-reliance and technological leadership. Along with this, the awards reaffirmed a shared national vision, one where AI growth is inclusive, ethical, scalable, and closely aligned with long-term goals such as the Viksit Bharat 2047 Mission.

Looking Ahead: Building India’s AI-Ready Leadership

The ‘AI-First Organisation’ award stands as a validation of the continuous effort of innovation and academic excellence that Chandigarh University brings with quality education. Along with it, Chandigarh University, UP, continues to be the best AI-Augmented University in Uttar Pradesh, with an AI-driven/Industry-based curriculum, industry-aligned projects, advanced incubation ecosystems such as TBI - CUBE, Centres of Excellence, and world-class infrastructure.

Students benefit from hands-on exposure to real industry challenges, whether it is developing predictive analytics for businesses, designing AI-powered fintech tools, or creating smart solutions for public infrastructure. This applied learning approach makes sure that graduates are not only skilled in AI technologies but are also capable of leading transformation across sectors. As India moves rapidly toward becoming a global AI powerhouse, Chandigarh University remains committed to nurturing talent that can think responsibly, innovate boldly, and lead confidently.