Newsletter

The Year of Students honours the courage to begin and the discipline to continue. It is a celebration of achievements, journeys, and the learners who made it possible. But more than anything, it is a recognition of effort that often goes unseen.

The early mornings before work. The lectures revisited after long days. The assignments submitted between responsibilities. The quiet decision, again and again, to keep going.

This year, thousands of learners chose growth over comfort. They chose to invest in themselves, to stretch beyond what was familiar, and to believe that learning could still open new doors, regardless of age, background, or circumstance.

This edition is for them. Not just for what they achieved, but for the persistence that made it possible.

At the centre for Distance and Online Education, Manipal University Jaipur, we often speak about access, flexibility, and opportunity. But 2025 reminded us that the heart of education is not infrastructure or platforms. It is intent. Intent to begin.

Intent to stay consistent. Intent to build something better, even when the path is unclear. This year, that belief translated into action.

We ensured the timely publication of examination results for over 45k+ learners, reinforcing transparency and academic integrity. We are proud to share that 9000+ students graduated and were conferred degrees during the 5th Convocation of Online Education on 7th February 2026, with the Honourable Governor of Rajasthan Shri Haribhau Bagde as Chief Guest.

The second batch of the Immersion Programme brought online learners to campus through Bloomberg Market Concepts and the Integrated Tech Workshop, where learners engaged in hands-on sessions, worked with faculty, and applied concepts in real time.

Through the Student Research Forum, the University launched the webinar series “Beyond Coursework: University Led Research Guidance for Online Students,” offering mentoring to support research, publications, and progression towards doctoral studies.

We also launched the Online M.Sc. programme, expanding access to advanced education through a rigorous two-year curriculum in pure and applied mathematics, with electives in Mathematics, Data Science, Computational Science, and Econometrics.

The Year of Students acknowledges that learning today is not linear. Some learners are starting their careers. Others are restarting them.

Beyond numbers and milestones, what stood out was your commitment. You showed up, chose progress, and kept moving forward. In doing so, you reminded us that the future of education is shaped not by platforms, but by people who believe learning can transform their path forward.

This year felt different. Our 9043 learners graduated during the 5th Convocation of Online Education on 7th February 2026. From a 21 year old just getting started to a 76 year old proving it is never too late, the average age at graduation was 29, but the journeys behind those numbers were anything but average. With 3430 women graduates, learners from over 1500 cities, across 28 states and 6 union territories, and even 27 countries, this was more than a graduating batch.

It was a community. And a reminder that learning fits into every life, at every stage.

Starting in 2022, Ankit learned the basics of robotics step by step. “I started by learning the basics, experimenting, and gaining hands-on experience,” he recalls.

Over time, he grew into the role of Team Lead, guiding his team to wins at multiple IIT-level and international competitions, competing with teams from Russia, Nepal, and across India. “Competing on a global stage has not only enhanced my skills as a roboteer but also shaped me as a person,” he reflects.

Balancing his professional responsibilities and pursuing his MBA from Manipal University Jaipur made his passion for robotics only grow stronger, “The journey is tough, but passion keeps me going.”

His story exemplifies how perseverance can channel passion into the purpose of representing the country on the world stage.

Sruti Sharma, our BCA student, is a full-time singer-songwriter and composer from Assam, India. Her creative journey also extends into graphic design and music education. A trained Western vocal educator, Sruti teaches learners of all ages, nurturing musical expression across diverse backgrounds.

Deeply rooted in a family of artists and educators, she draws inspiration from a rich cultural lineage. Her mother, Babita Sharma, is an educator and a lifelong practitioner of the classical Satriya dance form. Her late father, Bibekananda Sharma, was a musician and multi-instrumentalist active in the 1980s, while her sister, Dr. Sneha Sharma, balances a medical career alongside her own journey as a singer-songwriter.

Here in the video, Sruti talks about her journey and how she balances her passion, work, and online education.

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In a world shaped by curiosity and quiet reflection, Vanshika Gupta found her talent through words. A writer who believes that "words can become a place of comfort." Her journey into writing was not a sudden choice but one shaped by reading, and quiet reflection over time.

Alongside her academic path, she chose to flourish with her art, guided by the belief that "passion never requires the neglect of other responsibilities, it only asks for sincerity and love."

Between lessons, deadlines, and everyday routines, she found moments to write, proving that creativity can grow alongside discipline.

Inspired by people, books, nature, silence, and unnoticed details, her work carries the echoes of these quiet influences.

For many learners, the goal of upskilling is simple yet powerful: to open new doors. Last quarter, that intent translated into tangible outcomes. Over 300 offers were extended to learners across industries and roles, marking an important moment of transition from learning to professional growth.

The numbers represent more than hiring success. It reflects hours spent building skills, preparing for interviews, refining resumes, and showing up with confidence. Also, it speaks to the trust employers place in learners who balance education alongside work and life commitments.

As industries continue to evolve, these outcomes reaffirm a simple truth. When learning stays relevant and consistent, opportunity follows.

“Institutions exist to teach. But this year, our students did some teaching of their own.”

“Through their questions, choices, and consistency, they showed us how learning evolves when curiosity leads and purpose follows. They challenged our assumptions and reminded us that growth often comes from the learner, not the lesson.”

“I've learned that the desire to grow is not confined by age or location. Even while balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and studies, they still make time to learn. Their commitment inspires me and motivates me to show up as a better teacher every day.”

Dr Monika Rathore Associate Professor Computer Applications

Dr Mredu Goyal Associate Professor Commerce

"I have learned the importance of purpose-driven learning from my students. Their focus on connecting education to real-world goals reminds me to keep teaching meaningful, relevant, and impactful."

"One of the most valuable things I 've learned from my students is digital agility and adaptability. Students today are extremely comfortable with technology, AI tools and real-time information access. Their curiosity towards tools and experimentation is commendable. Students constantly challenge ideas, bring fresh perspectives and adopt new technologies quickly. That has helped me become more flexible, student centered, and continuously learning as an educator."

Dr Shweta Gakhreja Assistant Professor Management

Dr Jagriti Singh Assistant Professor (Senior scale)

"What I've learned most from my students is the beauty of curiosity and fearless questioning. Their fresh perspectives constantly push me to rethink, relearn, and grow. Even in challenging moments, their optimism and energy are contagious. Teaching them is a reminder that learning is not one-sided — it is a shared journey that keeps me inspired every day."

“What I have learned most from my students is the spirit of continuous curiosity. Their questions and real-life perspectives inspire me to learn more and teach better.”

“They have shown me that learning does not depend on classrooms. Many balance studies with work and responsibilities, yet remain committed, motivating me to be more supportive and prepared.”

“Above all, they have taught me patience, flexibility, and the importance of staying a lifelong learner, making teaching a journey of mutual growth.”

Mr. Aditya Upadhyay Assistant Professor Computer Applications

What happens beyond lectures often shapes learning the most. In this edition of Lectures & Beyond, a Manipal University Jaipur faculty member reflects on curiosity, resilience, and the moments that make teaching more than just a profession.

Dr Anadi Trikha Assistant Professor Department of Management

Preparing for interviews today is no longer about memorising answers. It is about understanding roles, communicating clearly, and learning how to present your experience with confidence.

The strongest candidates treat interview preparation as a skill in itself. And there are several free and easy tools that can help you get there.

Google Interview Warmup helps you practice common interview questions and gives instant feedback on clarity, structure, and key themes.
Pramp offers free peer-to-peer mock interviews, helping you build confidence through real practice and feedback.
Interviewing.io lets you experience real technical interviews anonymously, helping you improve without the pressure of formal evaluation.
Glassdoor and AmbitionBox help you understand real interview questions, company expectations, and workplace culture shared by candidates.
LinkedIn helps you research interviewers, understand career paths, and prepare using roles-specific insights and learning resources.
Canva Resume Builder helps you create clean, professional resumes quickly, even if you are starting from scratch.
Grammarly improves your communication by refining resumes, emails, and interview responses for clarity and confidence.
LeetCode and HackerRank are excellent for practicing coding and technical interview questions, especially for tech roles.
Notion or Google Docs help you organise your answers, prepare stories using the STAR method, and track your preparation.
YouTube channels like TED, CareerVidz, and company-specific interview videos help you understand how strong candidates communicate and present themselves.
Each of these tools addresses a different part of the journey, from preparation to practice to confidence.

And for our Online Manipal learners, we have launched a brand-new app - The Career Launchpad App for learners enrolled on the placement portal. A simple, effective app offering career resources, placement guidance, and structured support aligned with hiring processes, all in one place.

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