Summit Inaugurated with Felicitation of 3600 CUCET Toppers
The second edition of Chandigarh University's 'CU Scholars' Summit 2026' commenced with the felicitation of top achievers of the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test 2026 (CUCET 2026). The event, held on July 1, 2026, recognized 3600 students from various streams across states and union territories in India, reflecting the university's commitment to rewarding talent and merit.
Chief Guest and Distinguished Dignitaries
Lieutenant General (Retd) Raj Shukla, Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), inaugurated the summit as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Guest of Honour Prof. Luke Dickens from University College London, UK; Prof. Jurg Bahler, also from University College London; Prof. Santosh Kumar from RMIT University, Australia; Joyce Rodriguez from Airbus Group India; and actress Apoorva Arora. University officials such as Prof. (Dr.) Raviraja N Seetharam, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Satbir Singh Sehgal, Pro VC; and Prof. (Dr.) RS Bawa, Advisor to the Hon'ble Chancellor, also graced the occasion.
Keynote Address on AI and Human Collaboration
In his keynote address titled 'Human and AI: Learning, Thinking and Leading in a Changing World,' Lt General (Retd) Raj Shukla emphasized the transformative impact of artificial intelligence. He stated, "AI will create a new set of strategic haves and have-not's. AI will define 'Samriddh Viksit Bharat'. Militaries all over the world have been forced to migrate from hardware enterprises platform and weapon factories to software entities. If a conservative institution like the military, a domain like national security has been transformed by AI, imagine what is happening in architecture, medicine, and all those areas. So, that is why AI is such a foundational technology, and the AI revolution has only begun. AI is already upon us, and the game is moving steadily towards AI dominance. Not engaging with AI is not a choice." He further added, "While job losses are a legitimate concern, this is also a reality that the tribe of AI professionals is only growing. Globally companies today are paying $3 trillion dollars to those working on AI, who are contributing more than $9 trillion to global economy. So AI is booming and will challenge human capacities infinitely but AI will never exceed humans. The convergence of organic and synthetic intelligence, human brains and AI, will make humans a better species and world a better abundant space. Hence, AI will be game changing, we have no option but to embrace it with confidence, self-belief, and intelligence."
University's Commitment to Student Excellence
In his welcome address, Prof. (Dr.) RS Bawa highlighted the achievements of Chandigarh University students, stating, "Chandigarh University students are excelling in every field--be it academics, research, patenting, sports, or cultural activities. As a technology-driven, innovation-focused, and student-centric university, we are committed to providing opportunities that empower students to succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation and the world."
Guided Campus Exploration and Industry Interaction
A key highlight of the summit was the guided exploration of Chandigarh University's expansive campus, allowing students to discover cutting-edge laboratories, world-class facilities, and dynamic learning spaces. The summit also featured participation from CEOs, vice presidents, industry leaders, academicians, and renowned artists who shared insights with students to prepare them for evolving job roles in a rapidly changing industry.
Other Prominent Attendees
The event was attended by several notable figures, including Dr. Kamaljeet Singh, Director General of Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali; Lieutenant General Shamsher Singh Virk, General Officer Commanding, Chetak Corps (X Corps); Prof. (Dr.) Naveen Sirohi, Director of the Forum of Indian Regulators (FOIR) Centre and Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Prof. Sulaiman Wadi Harun from University Malaya, Malaysia; Ajay Kumar Singh, Business Leader at Tata Consultancy Services; Dr. Anurag Singh, Dean of NIT Delhi; Prof. Saiful Amri Mazlan from Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia; Prof. Vijayan P Munusamy from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Aniruddha, India Lead of Global CoE-Talent Acquisition at Bunge India Pvt Ltd; Balwinder Singh, Principal of C-DAC; Prof. Christa Grobler from Nelson Mandela University, South Africa; Prof. Shepherd Dhliwayo from University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Dr. Ian John Dixon from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Swapnil Sharad Mhaske, City CEO of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd; and Prof. Magdalena Matusiak Fracczak from University of Lodz, Poland.
About Chandigarh University
Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and located near Chandigarh in Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honored with A+ Grade by NAAC. CU offers over 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and other fields. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.
