The celebratory evening was attended by an array of eminent dignitaries representing the creative, academic, and cultural sectors. The guest list included Dr. Jitin Chadha, Pro Chancellor of UDIT; Rhea Jay Singh; Leena Singh, Co-Founder of Ashima-Leena; Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India; and Amitabh Kant, Former CEO of NITI Aayog and Ex-G20 Sherpa for the Government of India. Also in attendance were Rita Chadha; Ajit Singh Chadha, Chancellor of UDIT; Padma Bhushan recipient and Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan; Sharon Lowen, the eminent American-born Indian Classical Dancer and Cultural Ambassador; and Jatin Das, the Padma Bhushan recipient and celebrated painter, muralist, and artist. The gathering was further bolstered by the presence of Ashwajit Singh, Founder & Managing Director of IPE Global, and Nalini Singh, senior journalist, media entrepreneur, and Founder of Synergy Media Entertainment.
The Transition was framed as a moment of continuity, honoring a decade of established practice while unveiling expansive academic possibilities. The evening commenced with a visual retrospective documenting the institution’s ten-year journey, complemented by a culinary program inspired by the heritage of Shahjahanabad. Soulful musical performances anchored the atmosphere, featuring Madan Gopal Singh and the ensemble Chaar Yaar. A second musical showcase featured the traditional sounds of Gazi Khan Barna and Sawai Khan on khartal, alongside Thanu Khan Manganiyar on bhapang, morchang, and vocals, who performed with Rhea Jay Singh to blend traditional forms with contemporary interpretation.
Dr. Jitin Chadha, Pro-Chancellor of UDIT, characterized the university as an evolution fueled by the collective efforts of the IIAD family. He noted that the transition from the Indian Institute of Art & Design to UDIT honors a decade of design excellence while embracing an integrated framework aligned with emerging technologies. Building upon the foundation laid by IIAD since 2015, UDIT has established an academic structure underpinned by project-led coursework and studio-based practice. This methodology ensures that graduates are industry-ready, a philosophy now extended across three integrated schools: Design, Technology, and Management. These departments are designed with porous boundaries and shared studios to foster professionals capable of navigating creative vision, technical execution, and business strategy.
Established through an Act of the Haryana State Legislature, UDIT operates from a Gurugram campus specifically designed for collaboration, featuring co-working hubs, exhibition spaces, an open-air amphitheatre, an expansive library, and industry-grade labs. The School of Design offers B.Des. and M.Des. degrees in Fashion, Visual Communication, and Product & Interior Design. The School of Management provides BBA and MBA programs focusing on fashion, luxury, and technology. Simultaneously, the School of Technology offers B.Tech and M.Tech programs in Computer Science and AI & Design, utilizing a design-led lens to produce technologists. Leveraging a network of over 500 industry partnerships and international collaborations with Kingston University, Nottingham Trent University, University for the Creative Arts, and Arts University Bournemouth, UDIT represents a fundamental reimagining of higher education for the creative economy.
The successful inauguration of UDIT at Bikaner House underscores the institution's commitment to setting global standards within a purposefully Indian context. By integrating design, technology, and management around a creator-centered pedagogy, the University of Design, Innovation and Technology stands as India's first institution to fully unify these disciplines, ensuring that the legacy of IIAD continues to shape the future of global creative leadership and technical innovation.
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