Amudhavalli
Ranganathan Takes Charge as Chairperson, UNESCO CREGU India; Leads Young
Scientist & Technology Expo 2026
● Students showcase original ideas and
technology-led solutions; ISRO Senior Scientist interacts with young
innovators at the two-day expo in Cuddalore.
Winners of Young Scientist & Technology Expo 2026
Cuddalore, August 29th,
2026: Ms.
Amudhavalli Ranganathan, who has taken charge as Chairperson of UNESCO CREGU
India, led her first major initiative in the new role with the successful culmination
of the CREGU Young Scientist & Technology Expo 2026. The two-day expo brought together
young innovators from across educational levels, who moved beyond textbook
learning to translate ideas born in classrooms into prototypes and
technology-led solutions addressing real-world challenges. Organised by UNESCO
CREGU in association with the CK Group of Educational Institutions and
CavinKare, supported by the Sustainable Development Council (SDC)
the expo was held at C.K. College of Engineering and Technology (CKCET),
Cuddalore, and showcased the imagination, scientific curiosity and
problem-solving abilities of the next generation of innovators.
One of the key highlights of the expo was the
interaction between the Senior Scientist, ISRO and the participating
students as he walked through the exhibits, heard students explain their
prototypes and engaged with their approaches to solving real-world problems. The expo, held under the theme ‘Innovate • Discover •
Transform’, brought together 35+ schools and 70+
colleges/universities and over 1200+ students and more than 400 innovative
projects from across Cuddalore and neighbouring regions, with participants from
Class VI through university level. The students
presented original ideas, prototypes and models addressing practical challenges
in day-to-day life. Projects were evaluated on innovation and originality,
relevance and impact, technical execution, presentation and communication, and
scalability and sustainability.
From Disaster Preparedness to Smart Living, Energy
& Mobility the expo showcased a diverse range of student-led innovations
that demonstrated how young minds are using science and technology to find
practical solutions to challenges around them. Among the notable project
categories were Health and Well-being, Public Safety and Food Security, each
reflecting the students’ ability to combine curiosity, creativity and
problem-solving.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Amudhavalli
Ranganathan, Chairperson, UNESCO CREGU India and Executive Director, CK Group
of Educational Institutions, said, “The successful culmination of the
Young Scientist & Technology Expo is a meaningful beginning as we
strengthen UNESCO CREGU India’s efforts to nurture scientific thinking,
innovation and problem-solving among young learners. The ideas and prototypes
presented here demonstrate that innovation does not always begin in advanced
laboratories; it begins with the ability to observe a challenge, ask the right
questions and have the courage to experiment with a solution. What has been
particularly encouraging is the confidence with which students across age
groups have presented and defended their ideas. Our responsibility is to create
more such platforms where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are tested and young
innovators are given the mentorship and exposure to take their thinking beyond
the classroom and towards solutions that can create meaningful impact in
society.”The expo also created a platform for
students across age groups to learn from one another, observe different approaches
to problem-solving and understand that innovation is not restricted to advanced
laboratories or specialised institutions. The open theme encouraged
participants to identify challenges from their own surroundings and develop
technology-based approaches that could potentially be adapted, scaled or
further refined.
Addressing the gathering as the Guest
of Honour, Senior Scientist, ISRO, said, “Innovation begins with the
ability to look at an ordinary problem differently. What I saw here was the
willingness among students to experiment, make their own observations and
attempt solutions rather than simply look for ready-made answers. That
curiosity is the foundation on which stronger scientific capabilities are
built. If nurtured consistently, these early experiences can encourage students
to pursue science and technology not merely as a career, but as a means of
contributing to society.”
The valedictory ceremony was also
presided over by Dr. Datchanamoorthy Ramu, Founder & President, Sustainable
Development Council, and Director-General, UNESCO CREGU India; Mr. Gokulnath
Mathiyazhagan, Secretary-General, Sustainable Development Council and UNESCO
CREGU India; and Mr. Balaji, Former AGM TTDC and Hon. Director UNSDC. By
bringing school and university students onto a common platform, the expo also
sought to nurture a culture of scientific inquiry, creative thinking and
responsible innovation from an early stage.
The winners of the Young Scientist
& Technology Expo 2026 were as follows;
SCHOOL CATEGORY
Category A
Third Prize – School Category
The Third Prize of the Category A along
with a cash award of ₹5,000
Kanivarshini and Team, Sri Saraswathi
Vidhyalaya CBSE School
Second Prize – School Category
Sanjith Kumar and Team, from Adithya
Vidhyashram School, Puducherry
The Second Prize of the Category A
along with a cash award of ₹7,500
First Prize – School Category
The First Prize of the Category A along
with a cash award of ₹10,000
Nithishwaran and Team, from PSBB
Millenium School, Cuddalore
Category B
Third Prize – School Category
The Third Prize of the Category B along
with a cash award of ₹5,000
J. Ganesh and Team, from Kannan Matric
Hr. Sec. School, Kullanchavadi
Second Prize – School Category
The Second Prize of the Category B
along with a cash award of ₹7,500
D. Devaprachandh and Team, from Equitas
Gurukul Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Cuddalore
First Prize – School Category
The First Prize of the Category B along
with a cash award of ₹10,000
S. Yojith Renu and Team, from S.B.O.A.
School and Junior College, Chennai
Category C
Third Prize – School Category
The Third Prize of the Category C along
with a cash award of ₹5,000
Velmurugan and Team, from St. Joseph’s
Hr. Sec. School, Manjakuppam
Second Prize – School Category
The Second Prize of the Category C
along with a cash award of ₹7,500
K. S. Rajkumar and Team, from John
Dewey Hr. Sec. School, Villupuram
First Prize – School Category
The First Prize of the Category C along
with a cash award of ₹10,000
Krishnaraj and Team, from S.K.V Hr.
Sec. School
COLLEGE CATEGORY
Young Scientist Emerging Innovator
Award
Third Prize – College Category
The Third Prize of the Young Scientist
Emerging Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of
₹5,000
Ms. V. Buvana, from Veltech High Tech
Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engg. Collge, Avadi
Second Prize – College Category
The Second Prize of the Young Scientist
Emerging Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of
₹7,500
Mr. T. Bhuvaneshwaran, from IFET
College of Engg., Villupuram
First Prize – College Category
The First Prize of the Young Scientist
Emerging Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of
₹10,000
Mr. Ahamed Thoughfe, from Annamalai
University, Chidambaram
Young Scientist Promising Innovator
Award
Third Prize – College Category
The Third Prize of the Young Scientist
Promising Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of
₹5,000
Mr. S. Ratchakan, from IFET College of
Engg., Villupuram
Second Prize – College Category
The Second Prize of the Young Scientist
Promising Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of ₹7,500
Mr. J. Naveen, form IFET College of
Engg., Villupuram
First Prize – College Category
The First Prize of the Young Scientist
Promising Innovator Award – College Category along with a cash award of
₹10,000
Mr. S. Darshaan, from Sri Manakula
Vinayagar Engineering College, Puducherry
Young Scientist Excellence Award
Third Prize – College Category
The Third Prize of the Young Scientist
Excellence Award – College Category along with a cash award of ₹10,000
Ms. Simra Roshini, Anand Institute of
Higher Technology, Chennai
Second Prize – College Category
The Second Prize of the Young Scientist
Excellence Award – College Category along with a cash award of ₹15,000
Mr. Mohamed Tharik, Sri Ragavendra Arts
and Science College, Chidambaram
First Prize – College Category
The First Prize of the Young Scientist
Excellence Award –College Category along with a cash award of ₹20,000.
Mr. V. Kalaiyarasu, M. Kumarasamy
College of Engg., Karur
About CK Educational Institutions: CK Educational Institutions is a philanthropic initiative of CavinKare, dedicated to empowering society through education. Over the years, it has nurtured countless success stories, shaping leaders and experts across diverse industries. Guided by the vision of Mr. CK Ranganathan and Ms. Amudhavalli Ranganathan, the group today manages six institutions in Cuddalore, offering both State and National curricula.With over 6,000 students, CK Educational Institutions provides holistic education through CK School of Practical Knowledge (State Board) and CK School of Progressive Education (CBSE).
It also encompasses CK College of Education, CK College of
Engineering & Technology, and CK Digital School — a pioneering, digital-first
institution committed to delivering world-class education to rural children.By
leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies, CK Educational Institutions
ensures an immersive, blended learning experience. With a strong focus on
bridging the digital divide, it remains steadfast in its mission to make
high-quality education accessible to all, transforming not just students but
the future of the communities it serves.
About CavinKare: CavinKare is a diversified FMCG major with business interests in personal care, professional care, dairy, snacks, foods, beverages & salons. The brand portfolio consists of Shampoos (CHIK, Meera, Karthika, and Nyle), Hair Wash Powders (Meera &Karthika), Coconut Oil (Meera), skin creams (Fairever & Spinz), Deodorant; Talc (Spinz), Pickles (Ruchi & Chinni's) and Snacks (Garden), Hair colors (Indica), Retail Salon Products (Raaga Professional), Beverages (Maa), Dairy (Cavin's), Beauty Salons (Green Trends & Limelite), and D2C Personal Care products (Buds and Berries).
Most of the brands are clear winners in their respective product
categories. A dedicated R & D center equipped with the latest equipment and
technologies constantly supports the divisions in their endeavor. CavinKare has
achieved significant milestones and a competitive edge with a sound
understanding of mass marketing dynamics and has established a firm foothold in
the national market. CavinKare's success is based on it being firmly grounded
to its corporate mission 'We shall grow significantly better than the industry
by fostering innovation and building preferred brands, through passionate and
delighted employees'.
Photo
Captions:
Groups
Picture - Winners
of Young Scientist & Technology Expo 2026 along with L-R : Mr.
Balaji Former Director , Strategy & International Relations, Sustainable
Development Council ,Senior Scientist- ISRO and Project Manager, Ms.Amudhavalli Ranganathan, UNESCO CREGU India Chairperson,
Director - New Initiatives & E -Commerce, Cavinkare Executive
Director CK Group of Educational Institutions Chairwomen , CII Indian Women
Network (IWN) Tamilnadu Chairperson, Chairperson- India,Sustainable Development Council , Dr. Datchanamoorthy Ramu, Founder & President,
Sustainable Development Council, and Director-General, UNESCO CREGU India
, Mr. Gokulnath Mathiyazhagan, Secretary-General, Sustainable
Development Council and UNESCO CREGU India
