Galgotias University has become a subject of ridicule on social media platforms since it stirred a controversy after claiming a Chinese robodog as its innovation at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
What started as an opportunity for showcasing its research and innovation in the field of technology and artificial intelligence turned out to be an embarrassment for the Greater Noida-based private university. It was even accused of damaging the country's reputation after displaying a robotic dog named “Orion”, imported from China, as an innovation by the university's Centre of Excellence.
However, the university was called out on social media for showcasing a China-made robot dog as a product developed by its students at the global summit organised at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20.
Since the pictures and videos went viral, the Internet took no time in identifying the machine as the Go2 model manufactured by Unitree, a Chinese robotics company. The incident quickly snowballed, triggering criticism at the high-profile event inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Several posts juxtaposed formal interviews praising the institution's contribution to India's global standing with clips from its 2024 Freshers' Fest, using wordplay on “yogdan” (contribution) to imply misplaced priorities.
Galgotia university Ka yogdan pic.twitter.com/Ihmemr3oy4
— Sunill???? (@Sunil_Inkiya) February 20, 2026
Another viral meme showed a street vendor preparing poori, explaining the ‘water never ends' technique with the label “Science Professor,” ridiculing the institution's academic credibility.
Science Professor at Galgotias University pic.twitter.com/elwUtkQhxP
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 18, 2026
One widely shared post featured a funny clip of a child with wires attached to his head, jokingly portraying “AI studies” at the university. The post, shared by meme account @sagarcasm, garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of thousands of views within a day.
Students at Galgotias University studying AI pic.twitter.com/MuO07VeEmQ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 19, 2026
A separate meme repurposed a chaotic helicopter cockpit scene from the Bollywood comedy Total Dhamaal to poke fun at the university's aviation department, suggesting amateurism.
Galgotias University : Department of Aviation pic.twitter.com/nEd5Jq1e1J
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) February 19, 2026
Students Caught In The Crossfire
As the memes kept coming, students found themselves defending their institution online. A video showing awkward student interviews, in which they attempted to explain or downplay the controversy, was widely circulated and further amplified the mockery.
ALSO READ: Who Owns Galgotias University? A Closer Look Amid Robotic Dog Controversy
“Even Cab drivers are mocking our University - Friends are sending 10 reels every morning about our University - In the metro, people started laughing when they saw my I-card from Galgotias University,” read the post.
- Even Cab drivers are mocking our University
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) February 20, 2026
- Friends are sending 10 reels every morning about our University
- In metro people started laughing when they saw my I card from Galgotias University
Poor Galgotians facing public humiliation coz of their Stupid Management. pic.twitter.com/yd6oo8XhDl
The episode has also revived scrutiny of the university's past controversies. In 2020, a faculty member from the Department of Pharmacy authored a paper titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis.”
The paper, published in the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs, suggested that sound vibrations from metallic plates or bells could affect the coronavirus. It was later retracted after drawing widespread criticism from the scientific community.
ALSO READ: India AI Impact Summit: Galgotias University's Booth Was Bigger Than Space Given To 4 IITs Combined
In 2024, students from the university were also trolled after participating in a protest in Delhi over remarks by Congress leader Sam Pitroda regarding inheritance tax. A viral clip showed students fumbling to explain their protest, with one mispronouncing “urban naxalism” as “urban Maxwell,” sparking another round of memes.
Other Universities Course — BA, BSc, B Tech etc
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) February 18, 2026
Galgotias University courses — Plain BA, Masala BA, Butter BA ????????pic.twitter.com/iVJ1tBBIz3
Beyond the humour, the robot dog episode has prompted broader conversations about academic standards in private higher education institutions. Many social media users accused university managements of prioritising optics, flashy events and aggressive ranking campaigns over rigorous research and innovation.
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