Press Release
Indo-European Summer Academy 2026 on Cybersecurity Concludes in Bengaluru

Organised by the Centre for Educational and Social Studies (CESS), Bengaluru, in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) India and Chanakya University, the Academy was held from 6 to 13 July 2026 under the theme "Cybersecurity." The programme was organised under the aegis of the India-Europe Resilience Forum (IERF), the 1.5-track policy platform established in March 2025 to promote strategic cooperation between India and Europe on emerging security challenges.

Twenty fellows from across India, selected through a competitive national application process, participated in an intensive programme comprising 21 academic and policy sessions including strategic decision-making simulation exercises. The curriculum addressed the evolving cyber and technology landscape through interdisciplinary discussions on hybrid warfare, quantum technologies, data protection, sovereign artificial intelligence, cyber diplomacy, space security, cyber ethics, Indian Knowledge System and the future of India-European Union cooperation. 

A highlight of the Academy's first day was a Distinguished Conversation featuring H.H. Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Cyberverse Foundation. The discussion, moderated by Ms. Judith Weinberger-Singh, Resident Representative of HSF India, explored the strategic importance of cybersecurity, governance as critical enabler and role of leadership in an increasingly interconnected geopolitical environment.

The academic programme brought together leading scholars and practitioners from government, academia, industry and policy institutions in India and Germany. Sessions were delivered by Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner (Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Germany), Dr. Tobias Scholz (German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin), Dr. Sameer Patil (Observer Research Foundation), Col. K.P.M. Das (Takshashila Institution), Maj. Sanbir Singh Keer (Deloitte India), Dr. Chirayu Thakkar (Centre for Strategic Affairs), Mr. Rohit Kumar (The Quantum Hub), Prof. Rajendra Bandi (Chanakya University), Ms. Akankshya Acharya (Centre for Social Research), Mr. Kamal Madishetty (Rishihood University), Dr. Cherian Samuel (Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses), Mr. Mahendra P. Kumar (Cyberverse Foundation), Mr. Apurv Kumar Mishra (Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council), Mr. Raghava Krishna (Bṛhat), and Prof. Vinayachandra Banavathy (Chanakya University) and Mr. Sachin Goni (Chanakya University).

In addition to the academic programme, participants engaged with key institutions working at the forefront of cybersecurity through study visits to Cisco, SAP Labs India, and the Cyber Crime Division of CID, Karnataka State Police. These visits provided practical insights into cyber governance, digital innovation and law enforcement responses to contemporary cyber threats, complementing the Academy's policy-focused curriculum.

The Academy concluded with presentations of fellows' working papers, reflecting the analytical and policy-oriented research undertaken during the programme. The papers were reviewed through a peer-review process and evaluated by Mr. Sandeep Dubey (Hanns Seidel Foundation), Dr. Rakshit Kweera (Chanakya University), and Mr. Deepak Raj Pandaya (Chanakya University), encouraging critical engagement and interdisciplinary exchange among participants.

Building on the success of its second edition, the Indo-European Summer Academy continues to strengthen academic and policy linkages between India and Europe by fostering a network of emerging leaders equipped to address shared challenges in cybersecurity, digital governance and strategic resilience. The programme reflects the growing importance of sustained India-Europe cooperation in promoting a secure, resilient and rules-based digital future.