The 19th Foundation Day of Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Greater Noida, was celebrated on August 23, 2026 with great enthusiasm and grandeur. On the occasion, Mission ShakthiSAT was formally inaugurated at the University. The programme will continue from August 23 to August 31, 2026. The event witnessed the participation of girls from India and 108 countries, giving the programme a truly international character. The programme was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Chancellor of Gautam Buddha University, Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, as the Chief Guest. Shri Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Minister for Industrial Development, Uttar Pradesh, attended as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder of Space Kidz India, and Shri Vinod Kumar, Director, IN-SPACe, along with several eminent personalities from the fields of space, science and education, were also present.
On the occasion, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma Ji joined the programme virtually and extended his best wishes for Mission ShakthiSAT. Addressing the students, he said that “you are all the future custodians of Planet Earth” and urged them to use their knowledge and capabilities for a better future for the planet and humanity.
The programme commenced with the welcome address by Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Gautam Buddha University. Welcoming the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, international participants, scientists, academicians, students and distinguished guests, Prof. Singh said that the launch of Mission ShakthiSAT on the University’s 19th Foundation Day is a moment of immense pride and a historic occasion for GBU. Prof. Singh said that the vision of Gautam Buddha University extends beyond imparting academic knowledge and focuses on developing innovation, scientific thinking, creativity and a global outlook among students. He said that the participation of girls from 108 countries on a common platform demonstrates the power of science and space technology to bring humanity together. He also highlighted the achievements of GBU students and faculty members over the past year in areas including innovation, research, sports and other academic and co-curricular activities.
The Chief Guest, Shri Yogi Adityanath, extended his greetings on the 19th Foundation Day of the University through a virtual address. Addressing the young students, he said that the coming era will not be defined merely by degrees, but by ideas, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. He called upon the youth to become “Future Ready, Innovation Ready and Nation Ready.” Appreciating Mission ShakthiSAT, the Chief Minister said that India has established a distinctive position globally in the fields of space science and technology. He said that India’s space journey is not merely a journey of scientific achievements, but also a journey of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, innovation and youth power. He urged the youth to move forward with the spirit of “Nation First” and contribute their knowledge, talent and innovation towards nation-building.
Guest of Honour Shri Nand Gopal Gupta said that Uttar Pradesh is rapidly progressing in the fields of education, technology, innovation and industry. He said that programmes such as Mission ShakthiSAT connect young people with cutting-edge technologies while also developing confidence, leadership and problem-solving abilities.
He particularly appreciated the participation of girls and said that young women today are achieving new milestones in science, technology, space and research. He encouraged the students to pursue new ideas, develop innovative solutions and contribute to the development of the nation.
Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder of Space Kidz India, highlighted the vision and objectives of Mission ShakthiSAT. She said that the mission is not limited to the development of any one country, but aims to promote inclusive development and scientific collaboration among nations by bringing talented girls from across the world together through space education.
She said that Mission ShakthiSAT goes beyond simply providing students with knowledge about space. It is designed to give them exposure to satellite development, payload development, systems engineering and real-world space missions. She expressed her gratitude to Gautam Buddha University for hosting the international programme.
University faculty members were honoured for their outstanding research work, patents and book publications during the past year. On the occasion, Dr. Vikrant Nain was awarded the first position, Dr. Nagendra the second position, and Dr. Shakti Shahi the third position for their contributions and achievements.
The programme also featured a series of cultural performances showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage. Artistic performances representing different regions of the country through music, dance and cultural traditions introduced international participants to India’s diverse cultural legacy.
The performances beautifully reflected the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, creating a vibrant blend of Indian cultural heritage and international participation.
Under Mission ShakthiSAT, participants will receive expert guidance and training in space science, satellite technology, payload development, electronics, systems engineering and STEM education. The programme will provide students with an opportunity to understand the complete satellite development process—from conceptualisation and design to development, testing and deployment in space.
The initiative also includes plans for the development of student-built satellites, including ShakthiSAT-LEO and ShakthiSAT-Moon.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Prof. S. Dhanalakshmi, Dean, School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University. The 19th Foundation Day celebrations and the launch of Mission ShakthiSAT marked a significant milestone for Gautam Buddha University, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, scientific education, international collaboration, space technology and women empowerment.
