As AI Reshapes Careers, WPU Goa Advocates a Transdisciplinary Approach to Higher Education

 

University leadership highlights the growing need for adaptability, lifelong learning and transdisciplinary education in an era of rapid technological disruption

Chandigarh  : As artificial intelligenceand rapid technological change continue to reshape industries worldwide, universities must move beyond preparing students for their first job and instead equip them to navigate multiple career transitions throughout their lives, according to speakers at the World Peace University (WPU) Goa Open House held on 20 June.

The event brought together prospective students, parents and educators for a discussion on the future of higher education and the changing expectations from universities in an increasingly unpredictable world. Central to the conversation was WPU Goa's transdisciplinary model of education, which seeks to combine disciplinary depth with the ability to think across domains, adapt to change and address complex real-world challenges.

"Universities can no longer assume that preparing students for their first job is enough," said Dr Ashish Bharadwaj, Pro Vice Chancellor of WPU Goa. "The more important question is whether we are preparing students for the multiple changes, transitions and opportunities they will encounter throughout their lives. The future belongs not simply to specialists, but to individuals who can learn continuously, connect ideas across domains and respond to challenges that do not fit neatly into traditional categories."

The discussion explored how long-held assumptions about higher education are being challenged as industries evolve faster than traditional academic cycles. New professions are emerging, established roles are being transformed, and competition increasingly comes from individuals who can combine expertise from multiple fields rather than operate within a single discipline.

Participants heard how the ability to learn, adapt and work across disciplines may become as important as technical expertise itself. The conversation also examined the growing importance of curiosity, resilience and lifelong learning as essential capabilities for future careers.

Speakers stressed that higher education institutions must increasingly focus on preparing students for opportunities that cannot yet be predicted rather than training them solely for existing professions.

WPU Goa currently offers B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Bachelor of Management Studies (Hons.), B.Des. in Integrated Product Design, B.Des. in Communication Design, and B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology.

At a time when students and parents are seeking clarity about the future of work, the discussions reinforced the need for higher education institutions to focus not only on employability but also on preparing learners to navigate continuous change throughout their professional lives.

Husband Wife Duo Abhinav Garg & Mehak Aggarwal’s book gives an insider’s view of India’s high-stakes pharma manufacturing industry

Chandigarh, June 19, 2026: Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, husband-wife duo, Abhinav Garg and Mehak Aggarwal have unveiled their book, ‘Killing Cancer: 13 Secrets of the High-Stakes Drug Manufacturing World’ at a press conference. The book offers readers an unprecedented look into the complex and often misunderstood world of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Drawing from years of experience in manufacturing oncology drugs, the authors provide a candid account of the decisions, failures, regulations, leadership challenges and ethical responsibilities that shape the medicines relied upon by millions of patients worldwide.

“Structured around 13 chapters, the book explores subjects ranging from regulatory compliance and supply chain resilience to entrepreneurship, quality systems, manufacturing failures and leadership in highly regulated industries,” Abhinav told reporters.

Abhinav said, “We have tried to highlight realities of the pharma manufacturing world in our book. Most people think a drug license is the finish line. In reality, it's just the starting point. World health Organisation(WHO)- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance must be maintained, not merely obtained. Every supplier needs approval and validation. Standard operating procedures(SOPs), annual product reviews, and market-specific regulatory dossiers become routine. Even minor process changes can trigger re-validation. As a pharma business scales, regulatory demands don't ease—they intensify. Entrepreneurs who underestimate this often learn the lesson the hard way.”

The authors noted that ‘Killing Cancer’ is not a technical manual but a collection of practical insights aimed at entrepreneurs, industry professionals, healthcare practitioners, regulators, and members of the public seeking to understand how medicines reach patients.

“The book was born from a desire to bridge the gap between public perception and the realities of pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Mehak.

“People see medicines as products, but rarely understand the chain of decisions, regulations, failures and human judgment that produces them,” added Mehak, co-author of the book. “We felt a responsibility to document this world honestly not to celebrate it or sensationalize it, but to make it understandable. There is no other book quite like this written by practitioners from inside the industry,” she said. 

The book devotes considerable attention to the unique demands of manufacturing of life saving drugs, where the margin for error is exceptionally small and the consequences of failure can be life-threatening. “Every decision made inside a pharmaceutical plant connects invisibly to a patient at the end of the supply chain. When you genuinely understand that reality, it changes how you approach quality, leadership, compliance, and even business decisions,” said Abhinav.

 

Notably, Mehak also ventured into fashion and modelling in 2024, she is pursuing her passion in this field alongside handling the pharmaceutical manufacturing business.

“My exposure in the fashion industry taught me the difference between perception and reality,” she said. “In fashion, perception is the product. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, reality is the product and it is completely unforgiving. I feel that as a woman entrepreneur in the pharma industry I earned  credibility through competence and consistency . Those experiences shaped not only my leadership journey but also many of the lessons shared in this book,” she said.

Highlighting India’s growing influence in global healthcare, the authors emphasized India’s role as the world’s leading supplier of generic medicines and underscored the importance of manufacturing hubs such as Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.

“India today supplies nearly one-fifth of global generic medicine exports and plays a critical role in healthcare systems across the world,” said Abhinav. “As the industry evolves towards complex generics, biosimilars, and personalized medicine, we need leaders who understand both science and business. We hope this book contributes to that conversation,” he said.

The book is dedicated to the authors’ daughter, Kaashvi, symbolizing their hope that future generations will inherit a healthcare ecosystem that is safer, stronger, and more accountable than the one before it.

INDIA OPENS IMAX ADVANCE BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S new mythic action epic, The Odyssey FROM JUNE 8.

Amritsar : On June 8, Indian fans will be amongst the first in the world to secure their seats for The Odyssey. Shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology, The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX® cameras, opening in cinemas worldwide and across India on July 17, 2026.

Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the film brings Homer's foundational epic to the screen in a way that has never been attempted before. The story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the fall of Troy is brought to life by Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, alongside Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. The Odyssey opens in cinemas across India in all formats on July 17, 2026.

Speaking about the opening of IMAX ticket bookings for The Odyssey in India, Denzil Dias, Vice President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Discovery India, said, "The Odyssey is the first film in cinema history to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras, a milestone Christopher Nolan spent nearly twenty years working toward. On June 8, for the first time in India, Nolan fans will be amongst the first in the world to be able to book their favorite seats alongside their fellow Christopher Nolan fans around the world. For Nolan fans in India, this is a moment worth marking. For the first time, they book their seats alongside the rest of the world, for the first film in history made entirely on IMAX cameras."

IMAX tickets for The Odyssey are on sale from June 8, 2026. The Odyssey opens in cinemas across India from July 17, 2026.

ISB and MeitY Convene National Leaders at Governance Summit 2026 to Chart India’s Course for Inclusive AI

Mohali, May 23, 2026]: The Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) at the Indian School of Business (ISB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), today hosted the Governance Summit 2026: Inclusive AI for Viksit Bharat at the Mohali campus of ISB.

The fourth edition of the summit commenced with an inaugural keynote address, delivered by Shri S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, who set out the government’s commitment to building an AI ecosystem that serves every citizen, including those at the margins of the digital economy. In his keynote, he highlighted that artificial intelligence presents India with a transformative opportunity to enhance productivity, improve governance, and expand access across sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and financial inclusion. He also raised that while concerns around the impact of AI on cognitive jobs are understandable, India is uniquely positioned to harness this technology for inclusive growth. Shri Krishnan also highlighted that as India builds its AI ecosystem, it is important that it develops models reflecting cultural and linguistic diversity, while ensuring strategic autonomy and domestic control over critical technological safeguards.

Professor Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB, emphasised the need to translate AI ambitions into actionable governance frameworks. He highlighted that AI must be viewed as a long-term national mission shaping the future of the next generation and identified inequality, leapfrogging opportunities, and the future of jobs as key dimensions of the emerging AI landscape. Prof. Chhatre also stressed that access to AI opportunities must remain equitable through appropriate safeguards, social security mechanisms, and affirmative action.

 Dr Aarushi Jain, Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB, underscored that genuine inclusion requires deliberate policy design. She highlighted that artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, but a transformative force reshaping economies, governance, education, and healthcare, while influencing the lives of citizens across the globe. Dr Jain further emphasised that the real challenge lies in ensuring that public policy enables AI to become a tool for inclusion rather than exclusion.

 The day-long programme featured four thematic panel discussions covering AI’s role in digital commerce, online safety for women and children, healthcare access and affordability, and job creation and digital entrepreneurship. A parallel roundtable examined the operationalisation of AI for last-mile public service delivery, from state governments down to gram panchayats.

 More tha 250 delegates participated in the Governance Summit 2026, reflecting the growing significance of conversations at the intersection of artificial intelligence, governance, and public policy. The summit brought together a distinguished line-up of policymakers, industry leaders, academics, civil society representatives, and international organisations, including participants from MeitY, Reliance Retail, Mastercard, IIT Madras, UNICEF India, Punjab Police, Karmayogi Bharat, and key stakeholders from the IndiaAI ecosystem. The breadth of participation underscored the summit’s role as a collaborative platform for advancing dialogue on inclusive and responsible AI-driven governance.

 

The summit was moderated by students of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy (AMPPP) at ISB, reflecting the institute’s commitment to training the next generation of policy leaders.

NPS Lifts Inter-School Alumni Basketball Trophy

Alumni Associations of Yadavindra Public School & Vivek High School Emerge 1st & 2nd Runner-Ups Respectively 

Chandigarh, April 21, 2026: Ex-Vivekite Association (EVA) successfully organised the second inter-school alumni basketball tournament that saw enthusiastic participation from 7 school alumni teams. The courts at Vivek High School, Sec 38, Chandigarh, were buzzing with energy as players showcased impressive dunks and sharp three-pointers.  Notably, the teams were made up of  a mix of both men & women players. 

The alumni association of New Public School (NPS) emerged as the champions and clinched the title. YPS Mohali secured the first runner-up position, while the host alumni association, EVA (Vivek High School), finished as the second runner-up.  

NPS defeated Yadavindra School Association (OYA) 58-42. For NPS, Divarsh Singh under captaincy of Gurinder Singh was the highest scorer with 32 points. For OYA, Aadesh Singh under the captaincy of Rakshit was the highest scorer with 24 points. 

In the match for third place Ex-Vivekite Association (EVA) locked horns with Guru Nanak Public School. EVA defeated GNPS 42-36. For EVA Gursher under the captaincy of Ronnie Singh was the highest scorer with 18 points. Shahbaaz of GNPS scored the highest -18 points for his team. 

EVA's President, Dr Harkirat Sethi; Vice President, Tarun Lehal and Sports Secretaries, Ronnie Singh and Abhishek Garg, congratulated all the teams for their sportsmanship and spirited performances. 

Mukul Sharma, Vice Principal, Vivek High School, Chandigarh, gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners. 

It is pertinent to mention that  the alumni associations that took part in the tournament were hosts- EVA (Ex-Vivekite Association), New Public School (NPS), YPS Mohali (OYA), Guru Nanak Public School (GNPS), St. Kabir (KROS), Sanawar (OSS) & Doon School.

Akshaya Tritiya: Lab Grown Diamonds to Offer a New & Auspicious Investment Option

Lab Grown Diamonds Are the Future of Fine Jewellery,” Deepak Gupta, Lab-Grown Diamond Expert

Chandigarh, April 15, 2026: As Akshaya Tritiya approaches on April 19, a day considered highly auspicious for making investments that are believed to grow and endure, Kultivated Karats is presenting a modern alternative to traditional gold buying — lab-grown diamonds at its store in NAC, Manimajra.

Highlighting this shift, founder Kultivated Karats  and a lab grown diamonds expert, Deepak Gupta says, “Akshaya Tritiya has always been about beginning something enduring — and that is precisely what a lab-grown diamond represents. Lab-grown diamonds are the future of fine jewellery. They offer the same certified brilliance as mined diamonds, while aligning with the values of today’s conscious, informed buyer. A woman today is not just purchasing jewellery; she is making a statement about who she is — and lab-grown diamonds give her that power with no compromise on quality, beauty, or ethics.”

To celebrate the occasion, Kultivated Karats has announced an exclusive Akshaya Tritiya offer of up to ₹11,000 off per carat on certified lab-grown diamonds, available for a limited period. Each piece is bespoke and made-to-order, combining personalized design with IGI/GIA-certified diamonds — making it a rare opportunity to invest in fine jewellery at exceptional value.

Traditionally associated with gold purchases, Akshaya Tritiya symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and the promise of growth. However, evolving consumer preferences are redefining what constitutes a meaningful investment. Increasingly, buyers — especially millennials and Gen Z — are seeking options that combine financial prudence with ethical responsibility.

Lab-grown diamonds answer this demand. Created using advanced processes such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), they are real diamonds — identical to mined ones in composition, appearance, and grading standards. Certified by leading institutions and evaluated on the same 4Cs — cut, colour, clarity, and carat — they offer a more sustainable and accessible choice without compromising on luxury.

With this offering, Kultivated Karats brings together the timeless significance of Akshaya Tritiya and the forward-looking appeal of lab-grown diamonds — encouraging buyers to invest in something that is not only beautiful and enduring, but also aligned with the values of a new generation.

Akshaya Tritiya: Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust Organises Ann Bhandara

Panchkula,April 19,2026: On the auspicious occasion of Aks
haya Tritiya, the Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 212th 'Ann Bhandara',  or community kitchen, at Phase I, Panchkula Industrial Area, continuing its longstanding commitment to serving the community.

Highlighting the significance of the day, social worker and Founder of the Trust, Amitabh Rungta, said, “On Akshaya Tritiya, offering food to those in need is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the festival. Such acts of kindness are believed to bring enduring merit and contribute to the well-being of society.”

Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred festival symbolizing prosperity, generosity, and eternal abundance. Acts of charity, especially donating food, are considered highly meritorious and are believed to bring lasting blessings.

The Bhandara saw active participation from volunteers and community members, who came together to serve freshly prepared meals to a large number of people, reflecting the spirit of compassion and selfless service.