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Online learning is built on convenience. You study at your own pace, on your own time, from wherever life has placed you. But somewhere between the flexibility and the freedom, something more subdued gets missed. The feeling of belonging to a place and EKAM gave our learners exactly that.
On 25th April 2026, in a city that has never needed a reason to celebrate, the Manipal University Jaipur campus opened its doors to 497 online learners for EKAM – MUJ’s flagship offline gathering, exclusively for its online learner community. Learners arrived from 207 cities and 23 states across the country, many meeting their batchmates and faculty for the very first time, ready to step out from behind their screens and into the campus they had called their own afar.
This year, EKAM didn’t just invite learners to attend; it invited them to participate.
A Day That Started with Khamma Ghanis
Registration began at 8:00 AM, and from the first hour, the spirit was unmistakable. Learners who had shared study groups and discussion forums were now shaking hands and laughing in the same room. By the time the formal program began, the atmosphere was already warm.
The lighting of the lamp marked the official start of EKAM 2026, followed by the MUJ Anthem and a recap of the journey this community has taken since the very first edition. An icebreaker session followed, dissolving any remaining hesitation in the room. Conversations loosened, laughter came easily, and the day found its rhythm.
Words That Stayed
The address session brought together MUJ’s most prominent voices.
Dr Gadapa Mallikarjuna, Director of CDOE, MUJ, spoke about the growth of this community and the impact it continues to make, “Today, EKAM stands as a symbol of continuity, scale, and meaningful learner connection. Over the years, we have built a robust, learner-centric digital university model, supported by a thriving community of over one lakh learners across 2,000 cities in India and 60 countries. So far, 19,000 students have graduated from Manipal University Jaipur’s online programs. In the past year alone, around 1,000 students received placement offers, and this year, over 400 students have already been placed.
EKAM is not just an event; it is a bridge. It enables you to move from digital interaction to real engagement—to build meaningful connections with peers and faculty, and to experience the academic ecosystem in a tangible way.”
For many of you, this is your first step onto the campus. And that step matters. – Dr Gadapa Mallikarjuna, Director, CDOE.
Dr. N N Sharma, President of MUJ acknowledged the unique dedication online learners bring to their education, “Whether you are from Rajasthan, another part of India, or anywhere across the globe, you are and will always remain a valued member of the Manipal fraternity. The degree you will earn in the coming years is not just an academic milestone; it is a lifelong credential that will stay with you throughout your journey. Today’s engagement has been designed with clear intent. It offers you the opportunity to interact directly with faculty members who have guided or will guide you through your online learning experience. At Manipal University Jaipur, our commitment is to walk this journey with you, providing not just knowledge, but an ecosystem that nurtures capability, character, and confidence.”
You are now part of a distinguished legacy. One that values excellence, fosters innovation, and prepares leaders for a rapidly changing world. – Dr N N Sharma, President, MUJ.
The event saw also the presence of esteemed dignitaries – Dr Amit Soni, Registrar; Dr Nitu Bhatnagar, Provost; Mr Ambrish Sinha, CEO, UNext Learning Pvt. Ltd., Mr Pradeep Chaturvedi, CFAO; Ms Kanajit Kaur, Head HR, and Dr Brajesh Kumar, Dean, FoMCA.
The EKAM Quest
New to EKAM 2026 was an element that turned passive attendance into active engagement: The EKAM Quest.
Spread across the campus and the day’s activities, the quest challenged learners to step in, explore, and create. It wasn’t just about being present; it was about showing up fully.
Participants moved through a series of tasks:
- Scanning QR codes to unlock games and challenges
- Creating Instagram reels that told their version of EKAM
- Recording moments and sharing their experiences
- Engaging with the community both online and on the ground
Each step added an additional layer to the day – part exploration, part storytelling, part competition, and most importantly, loads of fun.
And at the end of it all?
A select group, the Lucky 100, walked away with exclusive signed memorabilia from AB de Villiers, turning participation into something really memorable.
More than the reward, the quest did something subtle but powerful:
It gave learners a reason to interact, collaborate, and experience the campus beyond a schedule.
Face to Face, Finally
One of the most anticipated parts of the day was the faculty-learner interaction sessions. For many learners, this was their first time meeting their program coordinators and faculty in person. Questions that had lived in email drafts were finally asked out loud. Conversations that had only happened over video calls became real, unhurried, and personal.
Before heading to lunch, the entire gathering assembled for a group photograph at the staircase – one of those moments that takes a few minutes to organise and a lifetime to appreciate!
Lunch, Performances, and an Afternoon to Remember
If the morning built connections, the afternoon celebrated them. Lunch was as much a networking session as a meal. New contacts were exchanged, conversations from the morning continued, and a few collaborations quietly took shape over the course of an hour.
The afternoon opened with performances by learners showcasing the remarkable range of talent in MUJ’s online learner community – dance, music, and more. What followed was one of the highlights of EKAM 2026: faculty performances that turned the stage over to the people who usually stand in front of a lecture slide. The audience’s response was, by every measure, enthusiastic.
Dr. Kasinathan S., Deputy Director of CDOE, delivered a warm and heartfelt vote of thanks before the day’s final activity, which was the campus tour that took learners through the academic blocks, labs, and open spaces of MUJ. For many, it was their first time walking the campus they had enrolled in from hundreds of kilometres away.
Learners Speak
Not Just a Day Out
EKAM is a testimonial that people pursuing degrees online are not on the periphery of university life; they are at its centre. They bring years of professional experience, personal resilience, and a dedicated commitment to learning that deserves more than just a certificate at the end.
EKAM 2026 gave them a campus, a community, and a day worth remembering.
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