Who is Suneel Galgotia? Why Galgotias University Founder Is in Spotlight Over Chinese Robotic Dog Controversy

New Delhi, February 21: Suneel Galgotia, the founder and Chancellor of Galgotias University, has come under intense scrutiny following a series of controversies at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam. The university was reportedly asked to vacate its exhibition stall after claims surfaced that it had presented a commercially available Chinese-made robotic dog as an in-house innovation. The incident has sparked a wider debate regarding academic integrity and the representation of indigenous technology at high-profile national platforms.

The Robotic Dog Controversy

The controversy began when a robotic dog, displayed at the Galgotias pavilion and dubbed "Orion," was identified by observers and tech experts as the Unitree Go2, a product manufactured by the Chinese firm Unitree Robotics. During a media interaction at the summit, a university representative described the robot as having been "developed by the Centre of Excellence at Galgotias University." However, netizens quickly pointed out that the device is a mass-produced robot retailing for approximately ₹2.5–3 lakh. Following the backlash, authorities reportedly disconnected the power to the stall and directed the university to leave the summit to prevent "inauthentic behavior" from overshadowing the event. ‘Neha Singh Is Not Suspended and Has Been Told To Stay’: Galgotias University Registrar Nitin Kumar Gaur Denies Suspension of Professor Following Robodog Controversy at AI Summit 2026 (Watch Video).

Neha Singh and the "Communication Gap"

At the center of the viral video is Neha Singh, the Head of Department (Communications) at the university’s School of Business. In the footage, Singh is seen introducing "Orion" and highlighting the university’s ₹350 crore investment in AI. Following the uproar, Singh issued a clarification stating that her words were "misinterpreted" and that her intent was to explain the robot’s features rather than claim its manufacture. She attributed the confusion to the "euphoria and rush" of the event. Galgotias University later issued a formal apology, describing Singh as "ill-informed" and claiming she was not authorized to speak to the press regarding technical origins.

Fresh Scrutiny Over "Drone Soccer"

The university’s troubles deepened when a second display came under fire. A "drone soccer arena" showcased at the same event—which faculty members claimed was a first-of-its-kind system developed entirely on campus—was alleged by social media users to resemble the Stryker V3 ARF, a product originally developed in South Korea. While the university described the project as indigenous "from end-to-end engineering to application," critics have called for greater transparency in how academic institutions showcase "borrowed" innovation. ‘Your 6 Can Be My 9’: Galgotias University Professor Neha Singh Goes Viral After AI Summit Row (Watch Videos).

Who is Suneel Galgotia?

Suneel Galgotia is a prominent Indian educationist who transitioned from a family publishing business into the higher education sector. An alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce, he founded the Galgotias Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT) before the group was granted private university status in 2011. Under his leadership and that of his son, CEO Dhruv Galgotia, the Greater Noida-based institution has grown into one of the largest private universities in the region. While the university has recently achieved high rankings in the QS and Times Higher Education (THE) global bands, this latest controversy has prompted a significant public relations challenge for its leadership.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2026 01:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).