Event recap · 14 October 2026 · Panaji

Inaugurating Excellence

WPU GŌA launches its Doctoral Programme

In the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, and Mr. Sadanand Tanavade, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha, WPU GŌA formally opened its research chapter and welcomed its first Ph.D. scholars.

📅 Wednesday, 14 October 2026📍 Tango Hall, Vivanta Goa, Panaji

View the Gallery →Explore Ph.D. Programmes

05Founding Ph.D. scholarsManagement and Psychology

03Mashelkar Award recipientsIIT Kharagpur · Goa University · IIT Goa

01Global MoUWPU GŌA × University of Arizona

11Dignitaries on the daisLed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa

The evening

One evening. Two beginnings.

A launch for the university, and a first step for its scholars.

For WPU GŌA

A research chapter opens

The Doctoral Programme was formally inaugurated
Dr. Rahul V. Karad shared the vision behind WPU GŌA
An MoU was signed with the University of Arizona

For our first scholars

A doctoral journey begins

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa addressed the gathering
The inaugural cohort was introduced on stage
Each scholar received a stole and Certificate of Enrolment

About the launch

A new university. Research from day one.

On 14 October 2026, WPU GŌA — the new university being built in Goa by the MIT-WPU MAEER Group — launched its Doctoral Programme at Vivanta Goa, Panaji. The evening brought together Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, members of the university’s Governing and Global Advisory Boards, scientists, industry leaders, faculty and families.

Group photograph of dignitaries, awardees and scholars at the WPU GŌA doctoral launch

Highlights

How the evening unfolded

01Lamp lighting & World Peace PrayerThe evening opened with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the dignitaries, followed by the World Peace Prayer.
02Welcome & felicitationDr. Rahul V. Karad, Executive President, welcomed the guests. Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, was felicitated by Prof. Satish K. Tripathi, Honorary Chancellor; Mr. Sadanand Tanavade and Mr. Vijay Kalantri were felicitated by Dr. Rahul V. Karad.
03Voices of academic leadershipProf. Satish K. Tripathi (Honorary Chancellor, WPU GŌA; President Emeritus, University at Buffalo), Prof. Suresh Garimella (Chairperson, Global Advisory Board, WPU GŌA; President, University of Arizona) and Dr. Samir V. Kamat (Former Chairman, DRDO) addressed the gathering.
04Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award for Innovation and ResearchThree scientist-researchers were honoured: Dr. Amitalok Budkuley (IIT Kharagpur), Dr. Pranay Morajkar (Goa University) and Dr. Neha Karanjkar (IIT Goa). Dr. Karanjkar spoke on behalf of the awardees.
05MoU with the University of ArizonaDr. Rahul V. Karad and Prof. Suresh Garimella signed an MoU for partnership and collaboration between WPU GŌA and the University of Arizona.
06The Doctoral Programme is inauguratedWPU GŌA’s first Ph.D. scholars — Barreto Edmer (Management), Limaye Ketaki Sunil, Priyanka Roy and Sneha Sanjay Ghatule (Psychology) — were welcomed with a stole and Certificate of Enrolment.
07Addresses by the Hon’ble guestsMr. Sadanand Tanavade, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha, and Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, addressed the scholars and guests.
08A moment to rememberThe evening closed with a group photograph of scientists, scholars and dignitaries, a vote of thanks by Mr. Narendra Tappa, and the National Anthem.

On the dais

Dignitaries who graced the evening

Dr. Pramod SawantHon’ble Chief Minister of Goa
Mr. Sadanand TanavadeHon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha
Prof. Satish K. TripathiHonorary Chancellor, WPU GŌA; President Emeritus, University at Buffalo
Prof. Suresh GarimellaChairperson, Global Advisory Board, WPU GŌA; President, University of Arizona
Dr. Rahul V. KaradManaging Trustee & Executive President, MAEER’s MIT, WPU GŌA and MIT World Peace University
Dr. Samir V. KamatFormer Chairman, DRDO
Prof. (Dr.) D. P. AgrawalFormer Chairman, UPSC
Mr. Vijay KalantriChairman, World Trade Center, Mumbai
Prof. Varun SahniProfessor, Ashoka University; Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu and Goa University
Prof. Prakash B. JoshiFounding Trustee, MAEER’s MIT Group of Institutions
Dr. Aditi KaradExecutive Director, VishwaRaj Hospital; Member Trustee, MAEER’s MIT, Pune

Gallery

Moments from the evening

Thirty photographs from the launch of the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme. Tap any photo to view it full-screen.

Dignitaries light the ceremonial lamp at the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch — The ceremonial lamp lighting opens the evening.

Guests of honour light the traditional lamp at WPU GŌA’s doctoral launch ceremony — Guests of honour take part in the lamp lighting.

Dignitaries stand for the World Peace Prayer on stage at WPU GŌA — The World Peace Prayer, a tradition of the MIT-WPU family.

Felicitation of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, at WPU GŌA — Felicitation of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa.

Dignitaries felicitated on the dais at the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch — Felicitation of the Hon’ble dignitaries on the dais.

Senior leadership of WPU GŌA welcomes dignitaries at the doctoral launch — Welcoming the dignitaries to the stage.

A dignitary addresses the gathering at the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch — An address from the podium.

A dignitary speaks at the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch in Panaji — Sharing a vision for research at WPU GŌA.

Guest speaker at the WPU GŌA podium during the doctoral launch — An address to scholars, faculty and guests.

Address at the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch, Vivanta Goa — Addressing the inaugural evening.

The three winners of the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award for Innovation and Research at WPU GŌA — The three recipients of the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award for Innovation and Research: Dr. Amitalok Budkuley (IIT Kharagpur), Dr. Pranay Morajkar (Goa University) and Dr. Neha Karanjkar (IIT Goa).

Presentation of the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award for Innovation and Research at WPU GŌA — Presentation of the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award.

A researcher receives the Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar Award on stage at WPU GŌA — Recognising research that makes a difference.

WPU GŌA and University of Arizona sign an MoU for partnership and collaboration — WPU GŌA × University of Arizona: signing the MoU for partnership and collaboration.

Exchange of MoU documents between WPU GŌA and University of Arizona — Exchange of the signed MoU.

Handshake after the MoU signing at the WPU GŌA doctoral launch — A partnership for global research and collaboration.

The inaugural Ph.D. cohort of WPU GŌA with their stoles and Certificates of Enrolment — WPU GŌA’s first doctoral scholars: Barreto Edmer (Management), Limaye Ketaki Sunil, Priyanka Roy and Sneha Sanjay Ghatule (Psychology).

A Ph.D. scholar is presented with a stole and Certificate of Enrolment at the WPU GŌA doctoral launch — A doctoral scholar is welcomed with a stole and Certificate of Enrolment.

A member of WPU GŌA’s first Ph.D. cohort receives her Certificate of Enrolment on stage — A first step on the doctoral journey.

Dignitaries welcome a Ph.D. scholar of WPU GŌA’s inaugural cohort — Welcoming the founding cohort of researchers.

Mr. Sadanand Tanavade, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha, addresses the WPU GŌA doctoral launch — Address by Mr. Sadanand Tanavade, Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha.

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, addresses the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch — Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, addresses the gathering.

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant speaks at the WPU GŌA podium — The Chief Minister’s address to the gathering.

Guests, faculty and families at the WPU GŌA doctoral launch in Tango Hall, Vivanta Goa — A full Tango Hall for WPU GŌA’s first academic milestone.

Delegates and guests attend the WPU GŌA Doctoral Programme launch — Delegates, academics and industry leaders in attendance.

Dignitaries stand for the National Anthem at the close of the WPU GŌA ceremony — The evening closes with the National Anthem.

Academic Strategy and Institutional Alignment Meeting of WPU GŌA at Vivanta Goa — Academic Strategy & Institutional Alignment Meeting, morning of 14 October.

Leaders discuss academic programmes and research at the WPU GŌA strategy roundtable — Leaders discuss programmes, faculty and research for WPU GŌA.

Industry alignment and collaboration discussion with delegates at WPU GŌA — Industry alignment and collaboration with delegates.

Earlier in the day

Strategy before the ceremony

Before the ceremony, WPU GŌA’s leadership met members of the Governing Body, the Global Advisory Board and invited delegates for an Academic Strategy & Institutional Alignment Meeting — on academic programmes, infrastructure, admissions, faculty and readiness — followed by an Industry Alignment & Collaboration Meeting.

Doctoral programmes

Where can doctoral study at WPU GŌA take you?

Our first scholars began in Management and Psychology. Doctoral research at WPU GŌA spans five disciplines.

Computer Engineering Computer Science Management Psychology Design

Could a Ph.D. be your next step?

Join the research community taking shape at WPU GŌA.

Apply for Ph.D. →