The promise that no talented student should have to abandon their studies for want of money took centre stage at a major academic gathering in Unnao, where scholarships worth up to ₹50 crore were announced. The two-day CU Scholar Summit-2026, held at the Uttar Pradesh campus of Chandigarh University, came to a grand close on Friday, with more than 1,500 meritorious students from states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand being felicitated.
Talent Converges at Unnao, Heavyweights on Stage
The event was attended by state Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay as the chief guest. Sharing the dais with him were Rajya Sabha MP and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Vineet Kumar Nayyar and Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr TP Singh, along with several senior university officials. The aim of the gathering was unambiguous — to clear away financial hurdles and put quality education within reach of every deserving student.
The ₹50 Crore Scholarship and the Role of CUCET
The university has announced scholarships of up to ₹50 crore for the 2026-27 academic session through the Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test (CUCET). Significantly, students who excel in the test are being offered scholarships of up to 100 percent — meaning the entire cost of study can be waived purely on merit. A large number of students took part in the CU Scholar Summit, which was organised to honour exactly these high achievers.
Uttar Pradesh Emerging as an Education Hub
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is scaling new heights in education and innovation, and that the presence of world-class institutions like Chandigarh University is giving the state a fresh identity at the national and international level. He noted that in line with the National Education Policy-2020, the state government is working steadily to link education with technology, employment and values. Praising the students' innovations, the minister said the research models and technical projects on display proved that India's youth are not merely acquiring knowledge but are crafting solutions to the challenges of the future. He singled out novel ideas such as generating electricity from footprints as important contributions to building a developed India.
Sandhu: CUCET Is Not Just an Exam but a National Mission
Rajya Sabha MP and Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said CUCET is far more than an entrance examination — it is a national campaign to identify talent and help it move ahead. He stressed that no capable student should have to compromise on their dreams for financial reasons, and that the university launched its wide-ranging scholarship programme with exactly this thinking. According to Sandhu, today's generation has global ambitions and artificial intelligence is reshaping the entire world. He said technology in the coming years will become so capable that a single individual will be able to run an entire company, which is why the university's goal is not just to hand out degrees but to shape future leaders who can give society and the nation new direction through AI and emerging technologies.
Industry Leaders and Celebrities Inspire Students
The summit drew a number of prominent industry experts, policymakers and university alumni. Among those who addressed the students were Aman Gupta (Co-founder, boAt), Dr. Shailesh Kumar (Reliance Jio), Aswathy Venugopal (Cognizant) and Arpit Trivedi (Hitachi Systems India), who spoke in detail about digital infrastructure, AI, data science, enterprise technology and future career opportunities. Actor and singer Aparshakti Khurana, singer Asees Kaur and other distinguished guests also motivated the students.
A Degree Alone Won't Do — Focus on Skills and Global Exposure
The experts delivered a clear message: a degree by itself is no longer enough in the present era. Students must build practical skills, problem-solving ability, an innovative mindset and an understanding of new technologies. They cautioned that in the years ahead AI and digital technology will touch almost every field, so the students who keep updating themselves with the times will find the most opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship. The university administration reiterated that, as the country's first AI-augmented multidisciplinary university, Chandigarh University is committed to providing Uttar Pradesh's students with modern education, industry-ready skills, global opportunities and an innovation-driven environment.
