Galgotias University: Meet the founder Suneel Galgotia of the three-decade old varsity at the center of Chinese AI robot dog row

Galgotias University in Uttar Pradesh has found itself at the centre of a controversy after a robotic dog displayed at the India AI Impact Summit was allegedly presented as an in-house innovation, but later identified as a Chinese-made machine.

On Tuesday, representatives at the university’s stall introduced a robot dog named Orion, stating that it had been developed by the institution’s Centre of Excellence. However, social media users quickly pointed out that the robot appeared to be the Unitree Go2, a quadruped robot produced by China-based Unitree Robotics and widely used across the world in academic research and robotics training.

Also Read: Meet PARAM, the Made-in-India robot dog built by an Indian startup

Following the claims, the private university initially attempted to defend its position. But later in the day, summit organisers reportedly cut power to the stall and asked the university to vacate the space. The institution subsequently issued a formal apology, attributing the confusion to a staff member who was not fully aware of the robot’s technical background.

The Greater Noida-based institution added, "Robotic programming is part of our endeavour to make students learn AI programming and develop and deploy real world skills using globally available tools and resources, given developing AI talent is the need of the hour." Stating that its faculty and students were "deeply pained by the propaganda campaign" against the institution, the university said its vision is focused on student learning and innovation, and that it provides students access to modern technologies to help them gain practical experience and prepare for the future.

All about Galgotias University
Located in Greater Noida, Galgotias University is spread across a 52-acre and is equipped with modern laboratories, libraries, and digital learning infrastructure. The university offers programmes across multiple disciplines, including engineering, management, sciences, and humanities. It functions under the Galgotias Education Group, which has been working to expand access to higher education in Uttar Pradesh.

The Galgotias Education Group runs several institutions in Greater Noida, including:

• Galgotias Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT)
• Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology (GCET)
• Galgotias College of Pharmacy (GCP)
• Galgotias University

Over the years, the group has expanded from specialised professional education to a full-fledged multidisciplinary university system.

Galgotias University is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is part of the long-established Galgotias Education Group. Despite the recent controversy, the institution continues to position itself as a major private university focused on innovation, industry readiness, and future technologies.

Founder and leadership

The university was founded by educationist Suneel Galgotia and operates under the Smt. Shakuntala Educational and Welfare Society, established in 1999 and based in New Delhi. The society oversees the growth and management of Galgotias institutions.

The leadership team includes Suneel Galgotia, Padmini Galgotia, and Dhruv Galgotia, who guide academic planning, administration, and long-term strategy. Dhruv Galgotia plays a key role in strengthening industry collaborations and shaping the institution’s future direction.