Chitkara University News & Updates 2026: Notifications, Notice, Result

Chitkara University recently concluded the third edition of its annual entrepreneurship and innovation event, Emergence’26, with participation from over 1,500 students. The three day event brought together students, startup founders, investors, and industry experts in the Chandigarh region.

A key highlight of the event was the Demo Day under the DST NIDHI Accelerator Program. During this session, student led agri tech startups presented their ideas directly to investors. Several startups received on the spot investment commitments, giving them an opportunity to further develop their ventures. The investor panel included Sushanto Mitra, Manish Johari, Rohit Bafna, Brendon Faroz, Param Patel, Sameer Shaikh, Priyanka Barot, Shreya Mishra, and Malhar Potnis.

The event was divided into three days. On Day 1, Anubhav Dubey spoke about building a youth-focused brand, while Sanjay Gupta discussed storytelling and intellectual property. A student innovation competition, Makers’ Buildathon, was also held. Day 2 included sessions by Ashwin Mushran, along with discussions featuring Vatsal Sheth and Sahil Nayar on media and creativity. Students also presented startup ideas and received feedback from investors.

Day 3 focused on final pitch sessions and concluded with an award ceremony recognising student innovation and entrepreneurial efforts.

The event also featured the Chitkara Xcelerator, a university run startup accelerator operating under a government backed framework. It supports early stage startups through mentorship and investor access.

Emergence’26 highlighted growing student interest in startups and provided a platform for practical exposure, networking, and funding opportunities in the region.

Representatives from Chitkara University attended Express Adda 2026, organised by The Indian Express at The Leela Palace New Delhi. The session was held alongside the AI Impact Summit 2026 and brought together policymakers, technology leaders, startup founders and academics to discuss artificial intelligence and its wider impact.

The main conversation featured Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, in discussion with Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group. The discussion covered the rapid progress of AI systems, global competition in AI development, regulatory frameworks and questions around governance. Altman’s recent meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were also mentioned in the context of India’s growing role in global AI conversations.

During the audience interaction, a representative from Chitkara University asked a question about responsible AI development. The question focused on what checks and balances are needed to ensure that AI safety measures keep pace with fast technological growth.

In response, Altman spoke about internal systems being developed to assess risks and reduce unintended consequences. He acknowledged that investing in safety can sometimes be challenging in fast-moving innovation environments but said it remains central to long-term AI development.

The broader AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, included discussions on AI policy, regulation, global cooperation and the future of advanced technologies. Government officials, researchers and industry leaders took part in the sessions.

India won its record sixth title at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup after defeating England in the final. The win added another chapter to India’s strong history in youth cricket. Among the players in the squad was Vihaan Malhotra, Vice-Captain of the team and a first-year BBA student at Chitkara University. For Vihaan, the victory was special not only because of the trophy, but also because he managed to balance his studies with international cricket. Playing in a global tournament means long tours, training camps and high-pressure matches. Alongside this, he continued his academic work.

After returning from the tournament, he was welcomed on campus by students and faculty members. During the gathering, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of the university, presented him with a cheque of Rs 2 lakh in recognition of his achievement and appreciated the support of his parents in his journey.

As Vice-Captain, Vihaan’s role was not limited to scoring runs or performing on the field. He also had leadership duties, including supporting teammates and helping maintain calm during tense moments. Teammates described him as composed and confident.  The Under-19 World Cup has often been the starting point for many well-known Indian cricketers. For young players, it is seen as an important step towards a future in international cricket.

Vihaan’s journey reflects how student-athletes today are managing both education and professional sport, showing that it is possible to focus on academics while competing at the highest level.

Chitkara University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with York University in Toronto, Canada, to introduce a 2+2 undergraduate programme in Computer Science. Under this MoU, students will complete the first two years of their Computer Science programme at Chitkara University, followed by the last two years at Lassonde School of Engineering at York University. On successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from York University.

University officials said the curriculum for the initial two years will be aligned with York University’s academic requirements to facilitate credit transfer, subject to eligibility criteria.  The authorities from both institutions attended the MoU signing ceremony, including Dr. Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, and Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University. This programme will allow students to begin their studies in India before completing the final phase in Canada. Students transferring to York University may also have access to co-op opportunities as part of their academic programme. The first batch of students under the 2+2 pathway is expected to join York University in September 2028, subject to meeting admission and progression requirements.

Chitkara University has launched a LinkedIn Experience Zone at its Chandigarh campus, which the institution describes as the second such facility globally and the first in India. The facility was inaugurated in the presence of Saba Karim, Head of Education at LinkedIn India, and Vibha Adlakha, Head of Customer Success and Talent Solutions for India and Japan at LinkedIn, along with university officials.

According to the university, the Experience Zone is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to professional networking and career development tools. The space integrates LinkedIn’s AI-enabled features to support activities such as profile building, interview preparation, networking simulations, and understanding recruiter expectations.

University representatives said the initiative aims to complement traditional placement support systems by offering structured practice in digital presence and professional communication within a simulated environment. During the inauguration, LinkedIn Campus Ambassadors from the university were recognised for their role in promoting peer-led professional development initiatives on campus.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of the university, said the initiative is intended to strengthen practical career preparedness alongside academic learning. LinkedIn officials stated that the Experience Zone reflects ongoing efforts to connect education with evolving workforce requirements.

The university said the facility will be integrated into student career-readiness programmes in the coming academic term.