Students from Galgotias University have brought international recognition to India after securing the top spot at EDVentures 2026, a global innovation and entrepreneurship competition hosted by The Education University of Hong Kong.
The competition brought together young innovators from leading universities around the world to present solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Competing against 19 teams from 10 countries, two student teams from Galgotias University represented India and earned recognition for their innovation-driven projects focused on accessibility and immersive learning.
One of the standout projects was Project TACTO, which addresses a major challenge faced by visually impaired students in accessing STEM education. The team developed an inclusive learning solution that uses buttons, sensors, and audio feedback to help visually impaired learners understand basic coding concepts through touch and sensory interaction.
The project aims to make coding education more accessible, engaging, and experiential for learners with visual disabilities, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality and inclusive education.
Project TACTO was represented by Gaurang Pant, a third-year BTech Computer Science and Engineering student (Class of 2027), Shristi Mandoliya, a second-year BTech Computer Science and Engineering with Data Science student (Class of 2028), and Kavya Singh, a third-year BBA Financial Investment Analysis student (Class of 2026).
Another student-led startup from the university, Tekurious Pvt Ltd, was also selected among the global finalists. The startup showcased a virtual reality-based immersive learning platform designed to create more interactive and engaging educational experiences for students.
Reflecting on the achievement, the founders of Project TACTO said that receiving global recognition for their idea was a memorable experience and reinforced their belief in the power of technology to create meaningful social impact.
Entrepreneur and mentor Rachit Mathur, who guided the Project TACTO team, said the journey involved extensive work on business strategy, pitching, go-to-market planning, founder mindset, and investor preparedness.
“What started as mentorship eventually felt like working alongside co-founders. The team’s commitment and belief in their idea stood out throughout the journey. The credit truly belongs to them for creating such a meaningful innovation,” he said.
Mathur also highlighted that Galgotias University fully sponsored the teams’ participation and travel to Hong Kong, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and innovation under the leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia.
EDVentures 2026 featured participation from several renowned institutions worldwide, including The Education University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, National Institute of Education Singapore, King Saud University, East China Normal University, Universitas Indonesia, Ajman University, Beijing Normal University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Mahidol University.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer of Galgotias University, said the students had made India proud by representing the country on a global stage and developing solutions that combine technology, empathy, and interdisciplinary thinking.
“Our students have demonstrated that innovation can create meaningful solutions for real-world challenges. It is encouraging to see them competing confidently with students from leading international universities and receiving recognition for ideas that can drive social impact,” he said.
He added that the university continues to strengthen an ecosystem that provides students with access to technology, mentorship, startup support, global exposure, and opportunities to turn ideas into impactful ventures.
Galgotias University has been actively building a culture of innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary learning through industry partnerships, startup incubation initiatives, and technology-driven academic programs.
-By Shivani Solanki
