Cuddalore, Aug 31: 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 the expo was held at C.K. College of Engineering and Technology, 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