MIT-WPU’s R.I.D.E. 2026 Focuses on Creative Problem-Solving

August 18, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

Dr Shrikant Patil, CEO of the Maharashtra State Innovation Society, urged students to become problem-solvers and innovators at the fifth edition of R.I.D.E. 2026 at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune.

“There are millions of Chaturs in the world, but we are looking for Ranchos,” Dr Patil said at the inauguration, referring to characters from the film 3 Idiots. He called on students to identify real-world problems and develop creative solutions.

Dr Patil said Maharashtra has 38,000 registered start-ups and 30 incubators, highlighting opportunities within the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Launched in 2022, R.I.D.E. — Research, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship — provides students with opportunities to develop ideas, engage with industry and explore entrepreneurship. This year’s edition, themed “Insight to Impact”, included expert sessions, panel discussions, bootcamps, a start-up expo and investment sessions.

Dr Prasad D Khandekar, Chief Academic Officer at MIT-WPU, said the initiative was moving “from an event to a movement” through engagement before and after the programme.

Vice-Chancellor Datta Dange encouraged students to learn through action, while R.I.D.E. convenor Vinod Shastri outlined the initiative’s aim of supporting ventures emerging from the university.

The event followed R.I.D.E. 2025, during which MIT-WPU facilitated the creation of 2,000 student-led ventures and secured a world record for the highest number of ventures created through a university innovation initiative.

The closing ceremony included sessions by Dilip Chenoy, Chairman of the Bharat Web3 Association; Dr Deeksha Malik, Vice-President and Head of the AI Centre of Excellence at Jio-bp; and Poonam Kochhar, Chairperson of FICCI FLO Pune. They discussed the future of work, AI-led innovation and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

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MIT-WPU’s R.I.D.E. 2026 Focuses on Creative Problem-Solving

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