Sai University Annual Report 2026 Highlights Research Growth, Sports Complex and Global Partnerships

Presenting the Annual Report at Sai University's Third Convocation on Saturday, 19 September 2026, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajith Abraham outlined a year of growth across research, faculty, infrastructure and global partnerships at the University's campus on One Hub Road, OMR, Paiyanur, Chennai.

The University's eight schools, spanning Artificial Intelligence, Computing and Data Science, Law, Media Studies, Business, Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Technology, are supported by 48 full-time faculty members, five visiting faculty members and six Professors of Practice drawn from prestigious global institutions. Over the past seven years, Sai University faculty have authored 183 publications, including 20 books, 102 peer-reviewed journal papers (65% in Q1 journals), 25 book chapters and six granted patents. The University has also established collaborations with 77 international universities, 50 Indian universities, 17 international organisations and nine national organisations. Faculty have secured more than ₹1.38 crore in research grants from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, with further proposals under review by other funding agencies.

Beginning in 2026, the University instituted the Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to teaching and research through a structured, point-based evaluation matrix.

On campus, the University hosted over 200 academic events during the past year, including workshops, hackathons, masterclasses and endowment lectures, alongside more than 50 co-curricular events organised by its 20 student clubs. A new sports complex, with facilities for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, cricket, football and athletics, was inaugurated on 10 March 2026 and hosted the inaugural Sai University Premier League 2026. Mosaic 2026, the University's first annual cultural festival, was held on 27-28 April 2026. The University has also been recognised as a SWAYAM-NPTEL Local Chapter.

Sai University signed new international MoUs this year with Innopolis University, Russia, and the University of Alabama, USA, covering student and faculty exchanges, joint research and study-abroad opportunities. These add to existing partnerships with Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, the E&ICT Academy at IIT Roorkee (MeitY-supported), and a tripartite collaboration with Apollo Knowledge Ventures and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise. The University hosted a Career Fair in August 2026 with representatives from six universities in the United States, and several graduands are pursuing higher education at institutions including Stanford University, the University of London, the University of Sydney, the University of Exeter, Sorbonne University and Juntendo University.

The University was featured among India's Top 10 Universities by Higher Education Review Magazine for its commitment to interdisciplinary education and, in 2026, was also featured in World Education Magazine, India Today and TIME Magazine. Three Sai University faculty members were listed among the world's top 2% most-cited researchers in the Stanford University-Elsevier global data repository.

Founder and Chancellor Shri K. V. Ramani, addressing the gathering, spoke about the shortage of quality higher education institutions in India and reaffirmed Sai University's founding purpose of addressing that gap through a combination of global academic standards and Indian ethos.

Reflecting on the world graduates are entering, Prof. Abraham said: "Your future will belong to those who can ask meaningful questions, think independently, understand people, exercise sound judgment, and create value where none existed before... Empathy, integrity, courage, creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and the ability to inspire trust will distinguish great professionals from merely competent ones."

About Sai University

Sai University was established by the Tamil Nadu State Legislature under the Sai University Act No. 42 of 2018 and is recognised under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, Government of India, as well as by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the Bar Council of India.

It is positioned as India's future-ready, AI-first university. Founded by Shri K. V. Ramani, co-founder of NASSCOM, who serves as Founder and Chancellor, the University is led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajith Abraham, ranked among the top 0.01% most-cited scientists globally in engineering and computer science.

Across its eight schools, spanning Artificial Intelligence, Computing and Data Science, Law, Media Studies, Business, Allied Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Technology, artificial intelligence is integrated as a foundation rather than an add-on. The University's 103-acre campus on OMR, Chennai, includes dedicated labs for artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, allied health sciences and psychology; a functioning Moot Court for the School of Law; and a sports complex inaugurated in March 2026.