‘UP Rise 2026’, an initiative of the Government of Uttar Pradesh aimed at connecting students with industry, government opportunities, entrepreneurship and emerging career pathways, is being rolled out as a statewide movement across 30 institutes in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative is expected to collectively reach more than 700 million people, making it one of the state’s largest student–industry–government engagement drives.
As part of the initiative, Sharda University recently hosted an outreach programme designed to provide students with opportunities to interact with industry leaders, government-scheme facilitators and entrepreneurial mentors. The programme focused on fostering skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and employability-oriented mindsets, while preparing young people to become self-reliant and future-ready.
Students participated in live pitch sessions, industry case challenges and interactive dialogues with corporate recruiters and mentors. They also had access to on-the-spot registration facilities for government schemes and initiatives, including CM Yuva Yojana, PMKVY, Mission Shakti, ODOP and ODOC.
In his keynote address, Chief Guest Paritosh Anand said, “UP Rise 2026 is more than an event—it is a movement of ideas, ambition and courage. It gives young minds the chance to tell their stories, showcase their creativity and connect with opportunities that can turn dreams into reality.
“By engaging with industry leaders, government facilitators and mentors, students discover that the future is not something to wait for—it is something they can build today. This initiative reflects the power of youth to inspire change, create businesses that matter and lead India into a new era of innovation and self-reliance.”
Dr Sibaram Khara, Vice-Chancellor, Sharda University, said Uttar Pradesh was steadily advancing across emerging sectors and that the participation of young people would play a crucial role in sustaining the state’s growth and development.
Dr Amit Sehgal, Director, Sharda University Launchpad, highlighted the Industry Case Challenges as one of the key attractions of UP Rise 2026.
“The Industry Case Challenges gave students the opportunity to solve real-world business and social problems. These challenges sharpened their problem-solving, analytical thinking, innovation and teamwork skills, while bridging academic learning with workplace realities,” he said.
He added, “The enthusiasm and participation of students demonstrated their readiness to embrace new opportunities. UP Rise 2026 showcased Uttar Pradesh’s potential to become a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and talent development.”
