As Artificial Intelligence reshapes industries, economies, and societies at unprecedented speed, Vice Chancellors across India are proactively preparing their institutions for the future. At I4IC 2026, a high octane Senior Leadership Workshop brought together top academic decision-makers to deliberate on AI’s transformative impact on higher education.

Top academic leaders at I4IC 2026, a Senior Leadership Workshop on AI’s transformative impact on higher education

The session was attended by Vice Chancellors and senior leaders from academic institutes across the country, creating a platform for strategic on institutional readiness. While AI integration was a key theme, discussions extended beyond technology to focus on the evolution of pedagogy—particularly the shift toward work-simulated, experiential learning models that bridge academia and industry.

What distinguished the workshop was the direct involvement of Senior leaders rethinking how universities translate technological disruption into tangible career outcomes. Rather than treating AI as a standalone subject, leaders explored how to embed it within experiential, industry-linked learning frameworks that prepare leaners towards emerging roles, hybrid careers, and AI-augmented workplaces. The emphasis was clear: institutional leadership must move from observation to execution—redesigning curriculum, assessment, and academic structures so that graduates leave not just with degrees, but with demonstrable, future-ready capabilities.

The workshop was led by leadership from Federation University Australia and Employability.life, reinforcing a globally aligned vision for innovation-led higher education transformation.

Leadership Perspectives
Paul Oppenheimer, Chief Operating Officer, Federation University Australia, stated, “Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we learn, work, and solve problems. For universities, this is not just about adopting new technologies — it is about reimagining how we prepare students for a world where change is constant. The real opportunity lies in creating learning environments where technology, human insight, and real-world experience come together to develop graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and ready for the future.”

“The future of learning will be shaped by technology and human insight together.”

Raja Dasgupta, CEO, Employability.life, said, “In the era of Artificial Intelligence, the conversation is shifting from tools to talent. Technology will continue to provide powerful tools, but the true competitive advantage will lie in human capability — the ability to think critically, adapt, and apply these tools creatively. The workplaces of the future will not be defined by the tools they use, but by the talent that knows how to use them to create meaningful impact.”

 “AI should amplify human capability — not replace it.”

About Employability.life
Employability.life is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federation University Australia, focused on transforming higher education through work-simulated learning ecosystems, global academic collaboration, and future workforce preparedness.

VinFast’s latest “Trade Gas for Electric” programme adds new incentives for petrol car owners switching to EVs, reinforcing a broader strategy that combines exchange support, resale value guarantees, long warranties and service expansion in India.

 VinFast’s latest “Trade Gas for Electric” programme adds new incentives for petrol car owners switching to EVs

VinFast is approaching the EV transition in India with a layered strategy. Instead of relying on a single incentive or product feature, the company has begun assembling a broader framework designed to make switching from petrol vehicles feel less like a leap and more like a structured upgrade.

The latest addition to this framework arrived in March with a programme called “Trade Gas for Electric.”

The initiative is backed by Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate and the parent company of VinFast. Launched as a support measure amid geopolitical volatility affecting global energy markets, the programme offers customers who exchange a petrol vehicle for a VinFast electric model an additional 3 percent discount on cars and 5 percent on electric scooters. The scheme is being rolled out simultaneously across India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, reflecting a coordinated push by the group to accelerate EV adoption in fast growing markets.

For Indian buyers, the offer effectively builds on the exchange programmes VinFast had already introduced earlier. Under that earlier exchange programme, customers trading in older petrol or diesel cars can receive exchange support of up to Rs. 1.3 lakh for the VF 7 and up to Rs. 95,000 for the VF 6.

“This approach recognises how people actually buy cars,” said an industry observer. “Most customers in India upgrade through exchange cycles. If EVs fit naturally into that pattern, adoption becomes easier.”

The VF 6 and VF 7, both positioned as premium offerings, form the backbone of VinFast’s initial product lineup in India.

The VF 6 is positioned in the compact electric SUV segment, equipped with a 59.6 kWh battery and fast charging capability that can replenish the battery from 10 to 70 percent in roughly 25 minutes, with a certified driving range of up to 468 kilometres. The larger VF 7 targets buyers looking for a mid size electric SUV with multiple battery and drivetrain options.

Beyond specifications, safety has become one of the strongest talking points around the vehicles. Both models recently received the highest five-star rating under Bharat NCAP, India’s official vehicle safety assessment programme.

Yet incentives and product quality alone rarely determine the success of an EV brand. Infrastructure and service coverage often shape consumer confidence just as strongly.

Here again VinFast has been building several layers simultaneously.

The company has partnered with service providers such as myTVS and RoadGrid to work toward establishing hundreds of extended service workshops across the country. At the retail level, VinFast plans to expand from about 35 showrooms in 2025 to roughly 75 by the end of 2026. This growth will focus on Tier II and emerging markets, reinforcing its commitment to making electric mobility accessible beyond metropolitan cities.

Ownership assurance is another piece of the strategy. VinFast has introduced a Value Assured buyback programme designed to address one of the most common concerns around EV ownership: resale value. Under the scheme, customers are guaranteed the option to sell their vehicle back to the company at a pre-determined percentage of its original price after several years of use.

The vehicles are also supported by long-term warranties, integrated roadside assistance packages that run concurrently with the warranty period, and three years of free maintenance. For the VF 7, coverage extends up to ten years or 200,000 kilometres, while the VF 6 is supported for up to seven years or 160,000 kilometres depending on the variant. These provisions are designed to ensure that support coverage lasts as long as the primary ownership cycle.

Taken together, VinFast and Vingroup’s initiatives create a pathway that stretches well beyond the initial purchase moment. The “Trade Gas for Electric” programme may be the most visible step today. But within the larger ecosystem being built around it, incentives are only one layer among many designed to make the shift to electric mobility increasingly practical for Indian drivers.

The IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Awards 2026 were presented at the 15th edition of the IVCA Conclave, organised by India’s apex body for the alternate capital sector, the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). Held on Day 2 of the Conclave, the Awards honoured the institutions and individuals exemplifying excellence in performance, governance, and creating enduring value across the alternate asset ecosystem, spanning private equity, venture capital, private credit, venture debt, real estate, infrastructure, and impact investing.
 

IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Awards 2026 Honour Value Creation Across India’s Private Capital Ecosystem
 

The winners were selected by an independent jury comprising Shri UK Sinha, Former Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI); Smt. Nivruti Rai, Managing Director and CEO, Invest India; Luis Miranda, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Indian School of Public Policy; Manish Sabharwal, Chairman and Co-Founder, TeamLease Services; Cate Ambrose, CEO and Board Member, Global Private Capital Association; Vivek Pandit, Senior Partner, McKinsey; and Mohit Dhawan, President, Hero Enterprise.
 

Commenting on this flagship segment of the IVCA Conclave, Rajat Tandon, President, IVCA, said, “The IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Awards honour the top performers shaping India’s private capital ecosystem with vision, resilience, and innovation. The year 2025–26 marked a pivotal period, defined by strong performance, adaptability, and a clear focus on long-term value creation. By recognising excellence across fundraising, performance, and returns, the Awards underscore the industry’s growing capital-raising strength, sustained investor confidence, and successful exits, reinforcing India’s emergence as a global leader in fund management.”
 

Nominees were evaluated across performance metrics, governance standards, sustainability integration, and broader ecosystem contribution, ensuring rigorous and credible selection. The honours were presented in collaboration with Praxis Global Alliance as the Awards Partner, and Cactus Partners and UTI Alternatives as the IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Award Partners.
 

The IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Awards 2026 were presented across the following categories:
 

Performance-based Awards

These categories recognised excellence in capital mobilisation, exit execution, portfolio management, and consistent performance across market cycles.
 

• Best International Fundraise: Private Equity – ChrysCapital

• Best All-Market LP Fundraise: Private Equity – Motilal Oswal Alternates Private Equity Fund

• Best Domestic Fundraise: Private Equity – TVS Capital Funds

• Best International Fundraise: Venture Capital – Nexus Venture Partners

• Best Domestic Fundraise: Venture Capital – A91 Partners

• Best Exit: International Venture Capital – Accel

• Best Exit: Domestic Venture Capital – Peak XV Partners

• Best Exit: International Private Equity – Blackstone

• Best Exit: Domestic Private Equity – Kedaara Capital

• Best Performance: Private Credit Funds – Neo Asset Management

• Best Performance: Venture Debt Funds – Alteria Capital

• Best Performance: Real Estate Funds – Motilal Oswal Alternates Real Estate Fund

• Best Performance: Infrastructure Funds – EAAA Alternatives

• Best Performance: New Fund Entry – PixelSky Capital

• Consistent Social Impact Champion Award – Chiratae Ventures

• Consistent Climate Impact Champion Award – Blume Ventures

• Women First Award – 3one4 Capital
   

The IVCA Alternate Capital Excellence Awards 2025 celebrated outstanding contributions to India’s alternative investment ecosystem, recognising firms and individuals whose leadership, innovation, and strategic vision are shaping the country’s private capital landscape. The awards underscore IVCA’s continued commitment to fostering collaboration across investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for alternative capital.

About IVCA
The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) is a not-for-profit, apex industry body promoting the alternate capital industry and fostering a vibrant investing ecosystem in India. IVCA is committed to supporting the ecosystem by facilitating advocacy discussions with the Government of India, policymakers, and regulators, resulting in the rise of entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and job creation in India and contributing towards the development of India as a leading fund management hub. IVCA represents 500+ funds with a combined AUM of over $350 billion. Our members are the most active domestic and global VCs, PEs, funds for infrastructure, real estate, credit funds, limited partners, investment companies, family offices, corporate VCs, and knowledge partners. These funds invest in emerging companies, venture growth, buyout, special situations, distressed assets, and credit and venture debt, among others.

Smartworld Developers, a new age real estate brand has awarded a construction contract worth INR 1,000 crore for its landmark ultra-luxury project, Trump Residences Gurgaon, marking a major milestone in the project’s development. Excavation at the site has been completed, and as part of the phased construction strategy, a INR 300 crore tender has already been released. Structural construction has now formally commenced.

Trump Residences Gurgaon, Facade

Part of an expansive 11.7-acre development in Sector 69, Gurugram, Trump Residences Gurgaon will feature two iconic 51-storey towers comprising 298 ultra-premium residences. Designed to meet global luxury benchmarks, the development will showcase a contemporary all-glass façade, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, private elevators, and select residences with double-height living spaces. With a total built-up area exceeding 1.2 million sq. ft., the project is positioned to set a new benchmark for branded luxury living in the region. It will be the second Trump-branded residential development in Gurugram, following the success of Trump Towers Gurugram, which has delivered strong capital appreciation and established a benchmark for branded luxury living in the region.

The Trump-branded residential legacy in Gurugram has demonstrated strong long-term value creation for homeowners and investors alike. The first Trump development in the city has witnessed up to 200% appreciation, with residents now actively moving in and experiencing globally benchmarked luxury living. The recently launched Trump Residences has recorded strong buyer demand and price appreciation, with prices rising from Rs. 25,000 per sq. ft. at launch to Rs. 32,000 per sq. ft. within a span of six months, reinforcing sustained market demand and investor confidence. In keeping with its global prestige, home owners of Trump Towers, Delhi NCR will enjoy club hospitality and facility management by Roseate Hotels & Resorts.

Industry projections indicate that buyers at Trump Residences Gurgaon could potentially see an estimated 300% appreciation on their investment by the time of delivery, highlighting the project’s strong value proposition within India’s ultra-luxury residential landscape.

Commenting on the milestone, Surender Kumar Sharma, Chief Construction Officer, Smartworld Developers, said, “Trump Residences Gurgaon represents a significant step in Smartworld’s evolution into globally benchmarked branded developments. With excavation completed and structural work now in progress, we are advancing construction in a phased and strategic manner to deliver a landmark development aligned with international standards.”

Recently, in a first-of-its-kind gathering, proud homeowners were invited to an exclusive ‘Trump Prive Dinner,’ bringing together the largest-ever global congregation of Trump owners. The milestone evening saw ultra-HNIs, first-generation wealth creators, and future neighbours, connecting, networking and building relationships.

Sharing his experience, a homeowner at a Trump branded residence said, “Choosing a Trump Home fulfils a desire and pride of owning a globally recognised branded residence, regarded as one of the most powerful addresses in the world. It is an address with a legacy of its own, one that we look forward to passing on to future generations.”

One of the customers who is an Investor added, “Branded luxury real estate has emerged as a compelling economic investment, especially in high-growth markets like Gurugram. The consistent appreciation, strong demand and global brand association provide confidence that these assets will continue to deliver both capital growth and long-term wealth creation. I have already seen a 2X appreciation since I invested.”

Trump Residences, Gurgaon witnessed an unprecedented market response, achieving a 100% sell-out on Day One with record sales of Rs. 3,250 crore. The extraordinary demand reflects strong buyer confidence in Smartworld Developers execution capabilities and the enduring global appeal of the Trump-branded luxury living experience. While construction has started on one hand, the company, on the other, is planning to take homeowners of Trump Residences to New York for an immersive brand experience.

Following the successful delivery of its inaugural projects Smartworld Orchard, Smartworld Gems, and Smartworld Orchard Street along with three ongoing developments across Gurugram, Trump Residences Gurgaon marks Smartworld Developers’ seventh development and its strategic entry into the ultra-luxury branded residences segment. Further strengthening its PAN-NCR presence, Smartworld Developers has recently entered the Noida real estate market with the high-profile launch of Elie Saab Residences, marking a strategic expansion beyond Gurugram. Spread across 6 acres, the Noida development comprises 200 three- and four-bedroom residences.

Smartworld Developers’ growth momentum continues, with Rs. 6,400 crores in sales for FY24-25, reflecting a robust 60% year-on-year growth. The company has committed a budget of Rs. 10,000 cr of which it has already awarded Rs. 5000 cr for construction since its inception. The company remains debt-free and financially strong, supported by healthy cash flows that are fuelling aggressive expansion. It has already established a strong presence in Gurugram, particularly along the high-potential Golf Course Road Extension, with landmark projects including Smartworld Orchard, Smartworld Gems, Smartworld The Edition, Smartworld Sky Arc, and Trump Residences Gurgaon. The company has also expanded its footprint along the Dwarka Expressway with Smartworld One DXP, an uber-luxury residential project.

Trump Residences Gurgaon is being developed by Smartworld Developers in collaboration with Tribeca Developers, the official representatives of the Trump brand in India.

For more information, visit smartworlddevelopers.com.

(All data as of March 31, 2025)

Hush Puppies, the global footwear brand exclusively retailed in India by Bata. A brand long synonymous with premium comfort and everyday wearability, reimagines bounce technology to it’s the Office Sneaker Collection. Designed for professionals navigating fast paced, hybrid workdays, the collection brings together refined office-ready aesthetics with enhanced cushioning that keeps pace with modern work lives.

Hush Puppies Brings Bounce Technology to Its Office Sneaker Collection

Film Reel Link: youtu.be/oScsNwC5qec

As workplaces evolve and workdays grow increasingly dynamic, comfort is no longer a luxury; it’s essential. The Office Sneaker Collection addresses this shift by seamlessly blending professional styling with advanced comfort technology, enabling effortless movement across meetings, commutes, and long hours on the go.    

Hush Puppies Brings Bounce Technology to Its Office Sneaker Collection

At the sole of the collection is reinvented Bounce Technology, an enhanced two layer cushioning system that delivers superior responsiveness, shock absorption, and all-day comfort. Built to support continuous movement without compromising on structure or style, the technology elevates the everyday office shoe into a performance-driven essential.
 

“With the Re-introduction of Bounce technology in our Office Sneaker Collection, we are responding to the growing sneakersation of workwear. We are evolving the legacy for today’s workplace where movement, versatility, and comfort are essential to how professionals work and live,” said Badri Beriwal, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Bata India.
 

The collection reflects Hush Puppies’ deep understanding of modern professional needs, a footwear that transitions effortlessly from desk to dinner, meetings to movement, without losing its polished appeal. Clean silhouettes, versatile colourways, and refined detailing ensure the sneakers pair as seamlessly with tailored workwear as they do with relaxed, after-hours looks.
 

The collection features refined uppers, versatile neutral tones, and streamlined profiles that transition effortlessly from meetings to after-hours engagements. Available in lace-up and slip-on styles for men and women, the range delivers comfort that works as hard as you do.
 

The Hush Puppies Office Sneaker Collection with Bounce technology is available across select Bata stores, Hush Puppies exclusive outlets, and bata.com/in.

Jaipur-based edtech venture CODE – Centre for Originality, Design & Expression (CODE Edu) launched its AI-powered creative learning platform EnCODE at the AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, positioning the platform as a multidisciplinary education ecosystem designed to integrate creativity and cognitive learning into mainstream higher education.

Government, academia and tech leaders call for creativity-driven education as CODE Edu unveils AI-enabled EnCODE platform

The launch formed part of a broader conversation at the summit on the future of education and the skills required for India’s emerging Orange Economy, where creativity, design, culture, and technology increasingly intersect.

As part of the launch event, CODE Edu hosted a panel discussion titled “Educating for Viksit Bharat: Why Creativity, Cognition & Culture Matter,” bringing together leaders from government, academia and the technology ecosystem to discuss how India’s education system must evolve to prepare the workforce for a rapidly changing global economy.

The panel featured Piyush Nangru, Co-founder of Vedam School of Technology at Sunstone; Satya Narayan Meena, Additional CEO of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM); Gyan Prakash Upadhyay, Director General associated with the Ministry of Power; and Dr. Ashish Gupta, Senior Associate Professor at South Asian University. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Shweta Choudhary, Founder and Director of CODE Edu.

During the discussion, panelists emphasized that while artificial intelligence will transform industries and workflows, the next generation of talent will require strong creative, cognitive, and interdisciplinary capabilities to remain competitive in the global knowledge economy.

The newly launched EnCODE platform aims to address this shift by embedding creative learning pathways within traditional academic education. Through an AI-enabled learning ecosystem, the platform offers enrichment courses, minor programs and specialization tracks across creative domains including fashion design, textile design, interior design, product design, architecture, graphics, communication design, AVGC-XR, VFX, animation, and design thinking.

Unlike conventional edtech platforms that typically focus on individual disciplines, EnCODE is designed to bridge academic silos, enabling students from engineering, business, humanities and science backgrounds to integrate creative and design-driven thinking alongside their primary degrees.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Shweta Choudhary, Founder of CODE Edu, said the platform aims to make creative education more accessible across institutions.

“Artificial intelligence will transform how we work, but human intelligence will define how we innovate. Creativity, cognition, culture and collaboration are the capabilities that will shape the workforce of the future. Through EnCODE, we aim to democratize creative education and make design thinking accessible across disciplines and institutions,” she said.

At the summit, CODE Edu also announced partnerships with Knimbus, Sunstone, New Age Academy by CTPL.io, and MEC Connect by Singularis Oman to expand interdisciplinary learning opportunities and strengthen institutional collaborations.

The platform is additionally supported by Adobe and the Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF), enabling learners to access industry-standard creative tools and global design communities.

With its AI-enabled creative pedagogy and multidisciplinary approach, EnCODE aims to contribute to developing a future-ready creative workforce aligned with India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, where innovation, creativity, and technology play a central role in economic growth.