Chandigarh University Student Named 'Punjab AI State Topper' by Samsung

Devesh Panwar, a final-year BCA student, secures the state-level title and a cash award for his exceptional performance in the Samsung Innovation Campus AI program.

CHANDIGARH — Devesh Panwar, a final-year Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student at Chandigarh University’s University Institute of Computing (UIC), has been officially recognized as the "Punjab State Topper" in Artificial Intelligence under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program. The initiative, organized by Samsung in collaboration with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and training partner Focal Skill Development (Focalyt), aims to equip Indian youth with industry-relevant skills in emerging technologies.

For achieving this milestone, Panwar was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a new laptop, and exclusive Samsung rewards. His recognition highlights the growing focus on experiential learning and industry-aligned education at Chandigarh University.

Innovation Through Real-World AI Solutions

During the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program, Panwar and his team developed an advanced AI-powered "Research Agent." This platform utilizes Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to facilitate intelligent querying of large, private document collections, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional keyword-based search methods.

"Being named 'AI State Topper' was a moment of profound pride and validation for me," Panwar stated. He noted that the intense technical training provided by the program helped him gain hands-on experience in applying AI to solve real-world challenges, particularly in technical and aeronautical domains.

Academic and Industry Impact

Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director at Chandigarh University, congratulated Panwar, emphasizing that the student’s achievement reflects the institution's commitment to industry-oriented learning. The university has increasingly integrated industry-sponsored labs and curricula validated by global tech leaders like Intel, Microsoft, and Google to ensure students remain competitive in the rapidly evolving IT sector.

The Samsung Innovation Campus is part of a broader flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Samsung India. Nationally, the program recently felicitated 30 top-performing students from across the country, awarding ₹1 lakh each to state-level toppers for their excellence in AI, Coding & Programming, Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data.

Why It Matters

This recognition underscores the success of structured technology training programs in empowering students beyond traditional metropolitan innovation hubs. As India accelerates its digital transformation, initiatives like the Samsung Innovation Campus provide critical pathways for young talent to access mentorship and industry-relevant experience, helping to build a future-ready workforce equipped to handle complex global technological challenges.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Award Recipient: Devesh Panwar, final-year BCA student at Chandigarh University.

• Achievement: Named "Punjab State Topper" in AI under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program.

• Recognition: Received ₹1 lakh cash award, a laptop, and exclusive Samsung rewards.

• Project: Developed an AI-powered Research Agent using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).

• Broader Context: Part of Samsung's national initiative to skill youth in AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding.

FAQ

What is the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) AI Program? It is a flagship CSR initiative by Samsung India, designed to equip youth with industry-relevant skills in AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding to prepare them for future careers.

What was Devesh Panwar’s capstone project? Panwar and his team developed an AI-powered "Research Agent," a RAG-based platform designed to perform intelligent, efficient queries on large collections of private documents.

How are top performers selected in this program? Selection is based on performance in rigorous technical training and final assessments of capstone projects presented before a jury panel.

Source: ANI News, Samsung India Newsroom, Chandigarh University