July 2: A university‘s measure is not just in what it teaches, but in what it sets in motion. Over the last quarter, Plaksha University lived that belief across research, entrepreneurship, policy, sustainability, and student leadership, engaging with the real challenges facing regions, industries, and the next generation of builders.
From hosting policymakers and investors at the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit to launching Chandigarh’s first conversation on sustainable urban development, from students running a business summit to high schoolers working on climate, antimicrobial resistance, and robotics, the quarter reflected a university in motion, contributing beyond its campus to the questions that matter.
Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit: Driving conversations for the state’s growth
Panellists, students and faculty at the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026.
On March 13–15, Plaksha University hosted the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, bringing together policymakers, investors, and innovators to explore the state’s investment and technology opportunities. For Plaksha, the summit was not simply a marquee event on campus but a direct expression of the university‘s belief that technology institutions have a responsibility to contribute to the regions they are part of. Located in Punjab, Plaksha sees active participation in the state’s economic conversations as inseparable from its broader mission.
Ahead of the summit, Plaksha University signed an MoU with Invest Punjab to integrate AI into the FastTrack Punjab Portal, the state’s single-window system for investment approvals. Plaksha‘s AI and data science teams will now help design AI-enabled tools to streamline regulatory processes for businesses.
The New Playbook for an AI-Driven World
Srikanth Velamakanni, Chairperson, NASSCOM and Founder & Trustee, Plaksha University, at the ‘AI in the Real World’ event in Mumbai.
At the ‘AI in the Real World’ event in Mumbai, Srikanth Velamakanni, Chairperson, NASSCOM and Founder & Trustee, Plaksha University, delivered a keynote on what it takes to build a career in an AI-driven world. He highlighted how the traditional markers of success, credentials, titles, and repetitive expertise, are rapidly giving way to a new paradigm shaped by continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation.
Addressing aspiring AI leaders, he emphasized that the ability to quickly learn new domains and apply knowledge to real-world challenges will be the defining skill of the future. He called for a new generation of leaders who can bridge technology and the humanities, go beyond merely using AI tools to improving and reimagining them, and embrace entrepreneurship as a means to create meaningful impact. His message underscored a central theme: in the age of AI, relevance will belong to those who build, experiment, and evolve alongside the technology.
Young Minds, Big Questions at YTS+
Students at the ninth edition of Young Technology Scholars , Plaksha University‘s flagship summer programme for high school students
This summer, 382 students from 264 schools across 65 cities participated in the ninth edition of Young Technology Scholars , Plaksha University‘s flagship summer programme for high school students. Over two weeks, participants worked on 22 projects across robotics, data science, business, and biology, tackling challenges ranging from AI-powered insect monitoring and credit-risk prediction to antimicrobial resistance and climate-focused solutions.
The programme combined hands-on research with insights from leaders across technology, healthcare, investing, and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to think beyond traditional academic boundaries and engage with real-world problems.
For many participants, YTS+ transformed classroom concepts into hands-on learning experiences, enabling them to explore complex scientific and technological challenges while building practical problem-solving skills.
Trifecta: Turning the campus into a boardroom
Students and participants at Trifecta, Plaksha University‘s first student-led business summit.
On April 3, Plaksha hosted Trifecta, its first student-led business summit, built by the Entrepreneurship, Consulting, and Finance clubs. Over 100 participants from SRCC, Ashoka University, and beyond competed for a ₹1,75,000 prize pool across market simulation, tech trivia, and startup tracks.
Highlights included a keynote by Rushil Mohan and a ‘Zero-to-One’ masterclass with Tejas Parulekar (Co-founder, Saffron Stays) and Tarun Bhalla . The event was supported by Iron Lady Foundation and Jefferies.
Entrepreneurial Challenge Cup: Turning ideas into scalable solutions
Founders and participants at the Entrepreneurial Challenge Cup 2026, hosted at Plaksha University.
On March 21, Plaksha hosted the Entrepreneurial Challenge Cup 2026, bringing 25 startups across AI, deep-tech, and IoT onto one stage to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors and industry leaders.
STAMP, a reputation and verification network for AI agents addressing the growing challenge of trust in autonomous AI systems, took home the top prize. Other winners included Thinklude (accessibility platform for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), Tuckn’Trust (trusted childcare services), DCompute (low-cost GPU infrastructure), Promptly (AI cost-cutting middleware), Temporal Cognition Engine (time-based AI reasoning), and Underground (capsule-based parcel logistics). Together, winners took home cash prizes and grants worth ₹4 lakh, along with new connections with VCs and angel investors.
Reimagining Buildings in the Tricity: Shaping the next 50 years of Chandigarh
Architects, IAS officers, engineers, and industry leaders at the sustainable urban development conclave hosted by Plaksha University.
On April 11, the Indorama Ventures Center for Clean Energy and the Chandigarh Citizen Foundation brought together architects, IAS officers, engineers, and industry leaders for a day of conversation on sustainable urban development. A keynote on global megatrends was followed by two panels – one on the design and technology of future buildings, and one on aligning policy and industry to turn sustainability goals into reality.
Supported by the Indian Green Building Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Chandigarh Chapter and the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Chandigarh Chapter, the day was dedicated to examining the future of sustainable urban development in the region.