The proceedings commenced on March 24, 2026, setting a definitive agenda centered on sustainability and international partnerships. Inaugurating the event, Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, stated that MAGSCON 2026 reflects the university’s enduring commitment to fostering responsible leadership, noting that institutions of higher learning must evolve beyond knowledge dissemination to actively contribute to solutions addressing global challenges and improving quality of life. Dr Line Joranger from the University of Southeastern Norway delivered a special address, emphasizing that global challenges necessitate global collaboration and that platforms like MAGSCON 2026 empower institutions to work collectively across borders. Presiding over the ceremony, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, underscored the pivotal role of universities in shaping a sustainable future by bringing together stakeholders to drive impactful change aligned with the SDGs.
The inaugural event was graced by Dr Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director of the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), and Dr Ananya Mukherjee, Vice Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR. The organizing committee was led by chair Dr Christopher Sudhakar, Director of Quality, and co-chair Dr Sandeep S. Shenoy, Director of Compliance at MAHE. Further bolstering the event's administrative and academic depth were distinguished dignitaries including Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu; Dr. Atul Khosla, Vice Chancellor of Shoolini University; Prof. Puttaswamy, Director (Technical) for the Department of Ecology, Environment and Forests, Government of Karnataka; and Mr. Vik Singh, Consul (Commercial) and Trade and Investment Commissioner for Austrade in South Asia.
MAGSCON 2026 is conceptualized as a global platform uniting universities, research institutions, industry partners, NGOs, policymakers, and students. The comprehensive program features plenary talks, panel discussions, master classes, poster presentations, and interactive sessions focusing on climate action, sustainable health, innovation, and higher education transformation. Thematic panels address critical issues such as Reimagining Higher Education for Inclusive, Future-Ready Learning, Climate Action and Biodiversity, Health and Community Resilience, Youth Leadership and Social Innovation, and Sustainable Technology and AI for People and Planet. By facilitating knowledge exchange and research collaboration, MAHE continues to reinforce its international visibility and commitment to the UN SDGs, ensuring that this convergence results in long-term partnerships and actionable solutions for a transformative learning experience across its campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai.
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