News from NMIT | Nitte University Alumnus Sumanth Kamath Earns Global Recognition for Responsible Cybersecurity Research

Nitte University proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of Sumanth Kamath, an alumnus of Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT), Bengaluru, whose cybersecurity research has been featured by Boston University for uncovering a critical vulnerability in Boston's public transit payment system.

Sumanth, a graduate of the 2020-24 Bachelor of Engineering in Information Science and Engineering program at Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT), is currently pursuing his Master's in Data Science at Boston University. Along with his co-researcher, Damodhar Pai of Boston University, he identified a design gap in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) tap-to-pay fare collection system that could allow passengers to access transit services despite unsuccessful payment authorisation.

Rather than exploiting the vulnerability, the researchers followed the principles of ethical cybersecurity by responsibly disclosing their findings to the MBTA. Their work has been recognized by Boston University as an example of research that contributes to strengthening public infrastructure and improving digital security. The research highlights a complex challenge within modern contactless payment systems, where rapid transaction processing and tokenized digital wallets can occasionally create gaps in payment verification. Sumanth's analysis provided valuable insights into how such vulnerabilities could be addressed through better coordination between transit agencies, payment networks, technology vendors and financial institutions.

Speaking about their decision to report the issue, Sumanth emphasized that public transit systems depend on fare revenue and that responsible disclosure enables organizations to resolve vulnerabilities before they can be misused. His approach exemplifies the values of integrity, professionalism and public service that responsible researchers uphold.

The Nitte University community takes immense pride in Sumanth's accomplishment and congratulates him on earning international recognition through meaningful and
socially responsible research. His journey from the classrooms of NMIT to contributing towards improving critical digital infrastructure abroad, serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers and innovators.

Nitte University wishes Sumanth continued success as he advances the frontiers of data science, cybersecurity and responsible technological innovation.

Here is Sumanth’s video interview by NBC Boston. 

https://www.nbcboston.com/video/on-air/as-seen-on/mbta-tap-to-pay-vulnerability-exposed/3963998/

News from NISH | Orientation Program

The Orientation Program for the newly admitted students of Bachelor of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) was conducted on 15th July 2026 at Vimshathi Bhavan. The program was attended by 33 freshers along with their parents, marking the beginning of their academic journey at Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH).

Ms. Shwetha, Principal welcomed the gathering. Chief Guest, Prof. (Dr) M S Moodithaya, Vice Chancellor, Nitte DU advised the students to make the most of the opportunities available at the University. Guests of Honour, Prof. T. Dattatreya, Professor Emeritus, NISH and Dr. Jayshree S Bhat, Professor, NISH shared the remarkable journey and evolution of the Nitte Institute of Speech & Hearing, highlighting its achievements, growth and commitment to excellence in education, clinical services and research.

The next session conducted by Prof. (Dr) Deepthi K J, Student Welfare Officer provided a comprehensive orientation to the rules & regulations governing the BASLP program under Nitte University. Key aspects discussed included academic regulations, attendance requirements, examination & assessment procedures, professional conduct, discipline, institutional policies and the support systems available to students throughout their academic program.

News from KSHEMA | A lecture on "Metabolic Syndrome and Skin."

The Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy, KSHEMA, organized a guest lecture on 22nd July 2026 at the Dermatology OPD Seminar Hall. Dr. Akhila Bhandarkar, Asst. Professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, KSHEMA, delivered an insightful lecture on "Metabolic Syndrome and Skin." Prof. (Dr) Malcolm Pinto, HoD, Dermatology, Yenepoya Medical College participated in the program along with his faculty and postgraduate students. A total of 25 participants attended the session.

News from NGSMIPS | NGSMIPS Awarded Grade A in QCI–PCI Assessment

The NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (NGSMIPS), a constituent college of Nitte (Deemed to be University), has been awarded Grade A in the Quality Council of India–Pharmacy Council of India (QCI–PCI) Assessment for its Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) programme, reaffirming its position among the country's leading pharmacy institutions. The QCI–PCI assessment evaluates pharmacy institutions on a comprehensive framework encompassing academic processes, faculty quality, infrastructure, research, governance, industry engagement, student support and regulatory compliance. The Grade A recognition reflects NGSMIPS' sustained commitment to quality education, innovation and professional excellence.

Congratulating the institute, Dr. M. S. Moodithaya, Vice-Chancellor, Nitte (Deemed to be University), said that the accreditation is a significant endorsement of the University's pursuit of quality and outcome-based education. "This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, researchers, students and staff in building an academic ecosystem that meets the highest standards of pharmaceutical education" he said. Dr. Marina Koland, Principal, NGSMIPS, described the achievement as an important milestone in the institute's journey of continuous quality enhancement and noted that the accreditation would further strengthen the institute's efforts in advancing research, innovation, industry collaboration and experiential learning.

The latest recognition adds to NGSMIPS' growing national profile. The institute has consistently figured among the top 50 pharmacy institutions in the country in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF. Further strengthening its innovation ecosystem, Nitte (Deemed to be University) established the Nitte Pharma Innovation Centre (NPIC) in April 2026. Conceived as a state-of-the-art facility that bridges academia and industry, the Centre supports pharmaceutical formulation development, translational research, regulatory support, skill development and entrepreneurship, while providing advanced training and collaborative opportunities for students, researchers and industry partners.

Nitte joins global initiative to study disappearing heritage diets

The world's heritage diets could hold vital clues to better health - Published in the journal, Nature Medicine (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04520-5), researchers from 12 countries, including India, have launched the World Diet Initiative, a global effort to document and study these diets before this knowledge is lost. Prof. (Dr) Anirban Chakraborty, Director, Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research, Mangalore is leading the regional network in India.

People around the world have practiced distinct diets for thousands of years. Maasai communities in East Africa are known for diets rich in animal products such as milk, meat and blood. In Ethiopia, diets are largely plant-based, featuring pulses, vegetables and grains, often fermented. Indian meals draw on a rich array of spices, while across the Pacific, fish, taro and coconut are commonplace.

For instance, “the traditional diet of Mangalore's fishing community revolves around the rice-fish-coconut triad - a reflection of a culture where cuisine is intimately tied to the changing seasons and whatever the daily catch or harvest brings” says Dr. Anirban Chakraborty, Head of the regional network, India.

These heritage diets have developed over generations, shaped by the foods available in the local environment and the ways they are prepared. In communities that still follow them, chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease are often rare.  

Dietary diversity is disappearing fast 

Heritage diets around the world are being replaced by uniform 'Western-style' diets featuring the same industrially processed foods. As these diets disappear, so too does a precious opportunity to understand how they shape human health. The World Diet Initiative aims to bridge this gap through two components The World Diet Atlas will map heritage diets worldwide, detailing the foods and how they are sourced, prepared and eaten. It will be a freely available resource for researchers, policymakers and communities. The World Diet Project will study the biological effects of these diets, using consistent methods so findings can be compared across populations.

The initiative will operate as a global consortium. Local partners will lead research and retain ownership, with findings shared responsibly with researchers around the world. “We are really excited to be a part of this initiative and we believe research of this nature is the need of the hour” says Prof. M.S. Moodithaya, Vice Chancellor of NitteDU    

Changes within two weeks

Recent work by some of the initiative's founders offers a glimpse of how studying heritage diets can reveal new insights into how foods shape health. In a trial in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, men who swapped their local heritage diet, rich in legumes, whole grains and fermented foods, for a processed, Western-style diet showed increased inflammation and other biological changes linked to chronic disease within just two weeks. Those who switched the other way or drank a traditional fermented millet-and-banana drink, experienced the opposite effects.  

Not a blueprint for healthy eating

Researchers stress that the initiative is not a nostalgic call to return to past ways of eating, nor a claim that heritage diets are always healthier. The point is that these diets act on the body - the immune system, metabolism and microbiome - in strikingly different ways and each has something to teach us. "These diets are not a blueprint for healthy eating, but they are biologically and culturally unique. Food influences our health in many ways and plays an important role in preventing disease," says Quirijn de Mast of Radboud University Medical Center, co-lead of the initiative. "With the World Diet Initiative, we are now building the infrastructure to capture this knowledge and translate insights from heritage diets into health benefits for people worldwide."

For more, refer to the paper published in Nature Medicine on 15th July, 2026. DOI:10.1038/s41591-026-04520-5 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04520-5)   

News from NSAMFGCN | A motivational session on "Concentration Through Self-Well-Being"

The National Service Scheme (NSS), Rovers & Rangers and Youth Red Cross Society in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Dr. NSAM First Grade College, Nitte, organized a motivational session on "Concentration Through Self-Well-Being" on 23rd July 2026 at Sadananda Auditorium, Nitte. The Chief Guest was Mr. Manohar Shetty from Vrindavana Rajyoga Meditation Centre, Nitte Parapady.

The resource persons Brahma Kumari Kailash Didi and Brahma Kumari Vishweshwari spoke about the importance of self well-being, meditation, positive thinking and concentration, for personal and academic success. A total of 350 students and 8 faculty members attended the program.

News from AIC Nitte Incubation Center | AIC Nitte Incubation Centre Shines on National Stage: Three Innovators Selected for Grassroots Innovator Recognition 2026

AIC Nitte Incubation Centre, Nitte promoted by Nitte Education Trust in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and located at Nitte University’s NMAM Institute of Technology has achieved a remarkable national milestone with three of its incubated startups being selected among the 26 innovators from across India for the prestigious Grassroots Innovator Recognition 2026. The selected innovators Akshay Mashelkar of Experimind Labs Pvt. Ltd., Anusha Prajwal of MaVedas Foods and Cereals Pvt. Ltd., and Rathnakar Naik of WWR Innovations Pvt. Ltd. will be felicitated by the Hon'ble President of India on 31st July 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, recognising their outstanding contributions towards solving grassroots challenges through innovation.

Akshay Mashelkar, Founder & CEO of Experimind Labs Pvt. Ltd, is redefining STEM education through experiential learning. Driven by the vision of building an India where every child learns science and mathematics fearlessly, Experimind develops hands-on STEM kits, science models, educational toys and activity-based learning solutions that simplify complex concepts and encourage curiosity.

Anusha Prajwal, Founder, MaVedas Foods & Cereals Pvt. Ltd, has revived traditional Ayurvedic nutritional knowledge by transforming age-old family recipes into scientifically standardised food products for maternal and infant health. Her venture develops chemical-free, preservative-free and ready-to-consume nutritional foods designed for pregnancy, postpartum recovery and infant nutrition.

Rathnakar Naik, Founder of WWR Innovations Pvt. Ltd. developed ATMAS (Automatic Tank Monitoring and Automation System), a smart wireless water level controller designed to solve one of the most common challenges faced by farmers and rural households - efficient water management. ATMAS uses long-range (LoRa) communication technology to monitor water levels without SIM cards or Wi-Fi, preventing tank overflows, protecting pumps and reducing water and electricity wastage.

AIC Nitte Incubation Centre is driving innovation from a Tier-3 ecosystem by supporting ideas that solve real-world challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, food technology and rural livelihoods. Through incubation, mentorship, funding and industry connections, it has nurtured 137+ startups, helping them grow into impactful enterprises. The Centre also provides students of Nitte University & other institutions with opportunities for internships, live projects, mentorship and entrepreneurial learning.

News from NRAMP | War Against Drugs

Students of NRAM Polytechnic, Nitte actively participated in the Taluk-Level "War Against Drugs - 2026" organized by the Udupi District Police in association with the Karkala Sub-Division Police on 23rd July 2026 at Sri B. Manjunath Pai Cultural Hall, Karkala to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. All participants took an oath pledging to stay away from drugs and work towards creating a drug-free society.

Dr. Sandeep Kudva, Taluk Health Officer, Karkala addressed the gathering on the adverse effects of drug abuse on individuals, families and society, emphasizing the importance of awareness, prevention and timely intervention.

Sri. V. Sunil Kumar, Hon'ble MLA, Karkala Assembly Constituency and Sri. Yogeesh Hegde, Director (CM & D), Nitte Campus, also spoke on the occasion, urging students to stay away from substance abuse, uphold moral values and actively contribute towards building a healthy and drug-free society.

News from NRAMP | Placement Activity

 

News from NSAMPUCM | Student Union Inauguration and Freshers' Day

The Student Union Inauguration and Freshers' Day of Dr. NSAM Pre-University College, Mangaluru, was held on 11th July 2026 at Ambedkar Bhavan. Inaugurating the event, Sri. Vedavyasa Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru South Constituency stated, “If students cultivate leadership qualities during their academic years, they will be well prepared to become valuable contributors to society in the future.”

Chief guest, Ms. Meenakshi Arya, IAS, Assistant Commissioner, Mangaluru Sub Division, DK urged the student leaders to cultivate responsibility, confidence and a spirit of service. She emphasized that true leadership is built on humility, dedication and willingness to work for the welfare of others.

The program featured an inspiring talk by the Guest of Honour, Shri Vijay Kumar Kodialbail, renowned theatre director and actor. The program was presided over by Dr. Naveen Shetty K., Principal, Dr. NSAM PU College.

The newly elected Student Council members took the Oath of Office, pledging to perform their duties with sincerity and dedication. The occasion also witnessed the release of the college annual magazine, 'Vividha', along with cultural books that showcased the literary and creative talents of the students.

As part of the celebrations, Competitive Examination achievers were honored and felicitated for their outstanding achievements. The formal function concluded with vibrant cultural performances presented by the freshers.