The Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), MAHE, in collaboration with the Space Robotics Society (SPROS), formally inaugurated the International Rover Challenge (IRC) 2026 and the International Space Drone Challenge (ISDC) 2026 on 28 January 2026 at the MIT Quadrangle, marking the beginning of a global celebration of innovation, curiosity, and technological excellence.

Presiding as Chief Guest, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, expressed his delight at the overwhelming student participation, with 33 rover teams and 22 drone teams converging at Manipal. He warmly welcomed national and international participants and emphasized that competitions like IRC and ISDC embody MAHE’s philosophy of learning by doing, where classroom knowledge transforms into real-world solutions. Such platforms, he noted, nurture perseverance, confidence, and a spirit of innovation that extends beyond technology to nation-building and economic growth.

Echoing these sentiments, Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, spoke of the campus resonating with youthful energy and creative ambition. He highlighted MIT’s commitment to education beyond textbooks, driven by 26 major student project teams and over 70 technical and cultural clubs, and acknowledged initiatives like the Himalayan cycling expedition that shape resilient, future-ready engineers.

Mr. Sagar Dhaka, MIT alumnus (EEE’19) and Founder of SPROS, was warmly acknowledged for his visionary contributions and enduring bond with his alma mater. Together, the inauguration set an inspiring tone for exploration, collaboration, and discovery at MIT MAHE.