Galgotias University, located in Greater Noida, has found itself at the center of a major controversy during the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi. The organizers of the summit expelled the university from the event after it was discovered that a robotic dog named 'Orion', displayed at their stall, wasn't an original innovation of the institution but a product of a Chinese company. This incident has raised significant questions regarding academic ethics and has brought the business history of the university's founder, Sunil Galgotia, into the public spotlight.
Chronology of Events at India AI Impact Summit
During the prestigious summit in Delhi, Galgotias University set up a stall where they showcased a robotic dog branded as 'Orion'. Representatives from the university claimed that the robot was developed by their Center of Excellence. According to officials and technical experts present at the summit, these claims were met with immediate skepticism. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the robot was actually the Unitree Go2 model, manufactured by the well-known Chinese firm Unitree Robotics. Following the escalation of the dispute and the presentation of evidence by tech experts on social media, the organizers decided to remove the university from the summit.
Identification of Orion Robot as Unitree Go2 Model
Technical experts pointed out that the Unitree Go2 is a commercially available robot that can be purchased by any individual or institution from the international market. 00 lakh. During the summit, Galgotias University had claimed an investment of over ₹350 crore in AI and robotics research. However, once it became clear that the displayed robot was merely a re-branded product, the university issued a clarification stating there was a misunderstanding regarding the presentation. The university administration later maintained that their intent was to demonstrate the application of the technology rather than falsely claiming its manufacture.
Sunil Galgotia: From Connaught Place Bookstore to Education Mogul
The controversy has led to renewed interest in the background of Sunil Galgotia, the owner of the university. The Galgotia family has been a part of Delhi's commercial landscape for decades. Their business roots trace back to the 1930s with a small bookstore named 'Galgotias' located in Connaught Place, New Delhi. Sunil Galgotia completed his graduation from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), while in the 1980s, he expanded the family business into the publishing sector by establishing Galgotias Publications. He gained prominence in the publishing world by securing distribution rights for international technical and educational books.
Evolution of Galgotias Publications and Institutional Growth
Following his success in the publishing business, Sunil Galgotia decided to venture into the field of higher education. In the year 2000, he established the Galgotias Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT). According to reports, the institute began its journey with only 40 students. Subsequently, he launched separate colleges for engineering and other professional courses. In 2011, the institution was granted university status after receiving recognition from the Uttar Pradesh government. Today, the university operates from a massive campus in Greater Noida, catering to thousands of students across various faculties.
Current Infrastructure and AI Investment Claims by the University
Currently, Galgotias University is ranked among the prominent private universities in India. Under the leadership of Sunil Galgotia, the institution has built its brand on the basis of modern infrastructure and placement records. The university frequently highlights its heavy investments in AI labs and research centers. The figure of ₹350 crore mentioned during the recent summit was part of these ongoing claims. Sunil Galgotia's business empire now extends beyond education, with his total assets and turnover estimated in the thousands of crores. However, this latest controversy has cast a shadow on the credibility of the institution's research claims and the authenticity of its innovations.