Latest news with #AIU
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban
After three years away from competition, Randolph Ross is set to return to the track. The former HBCU standout and Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T will compete in the men's 400 meters on Sunday at the Meeting International de Marseille in France. The event is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (bronze level) and marks his first race since receiving a suspension in 2022. Ross, now 24, was once one of the brightest young talents in American track. While competing for North Carolina A&T, he became a two-time NCAA champion and helped the United States win gold in the 4×400-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He trained under his father, former Olympian Duane Ross, and together they turned A&T into one of the most dominant HBCU track programs in history. That success came to an abrupt stop in July 2022. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) suspended Ross just before the World Championships in Oregon. The reason: three "whereabouts failures" within a 12-month span. These failures meant that officials were unable to locate him for required drug testing. Later that year, the AIU made the suspension official. Randolph Ross was banned for three years, and the penalty included an added charge of "tampering." During the investigation, he admitted to altering the date on a confirmation email related to his testing location. This misstep, while not a failed drug test, was treated as a serious violation. In an interview with Track & Field News, Ross accepted full responsibility. "The whole thing came down to being my fault," he said. However, he also expressed concern about how heavily administrative errors were punished. Ross explained that the missed tests occurred during a hectic period of his life. He competed at nationals, moved from North Carolina to Tennessee, and was preparing to transfer schools. The first missed test happened in April 2022, when Ross forgot to update his location ahead of a meet in Gainesville, Florida. The second came during the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he defended his 400m title. Ross argued that anti-doping officials could have located him at the meet, but noted that the rules still required formal updates through an app. The third failure was more complex. Randolph Ross had moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, but the AIU still visited his old address in Greensboro. While USADA had updated information, the AIU did not. In an attempt to explain the mix-up, Ross submitted a screenshot of an automatically generated email, but changed the date on it. That change triggered the tampering charge. The AIU treated the missed tests and altered email as a single violation. Because Ross admitted fault and cooperated fully, the original four-year penalty was reduced to three. Still, the ban had significant consequences. Ross lost his spot on the U.S. team, his college eligibility, and a likely professional contract. He also missed the chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. During his suspension, Ross completed his finance degree at North Carolina A&T and began studying for a real estate license. He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now, as of July 1, Ross is eligible to compete again. Sunday's race in Marseille will be his first test back. The result will be closely watched-not just because of the controversy that preceded it, but because of what it represents: the return of an HBCU athlete who once ran one of the fastest 400m times in history, and appeared poised for global stardom. The post HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Government sets up panel to restructure Association of Indian Universities in line with NEP 2020
Representative image NEW DELHI: The Centre has tasked a high-powered committee with reviewing and restructuring Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to align its mandate with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the proposed reforms under the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The move comes amid efforts to streamline governance of higher education, enhance institutional autonomy, and establish a globally competitive ecosystem for Indian universities, reports Manash Gohain. The committee will submit its report within six months, during which AIU has been advised to maintain status quo. The committee, chaired by Anil Sahasrabudhe, head of National Educational Technology Forum, is expected to examine AIU's role in the evolving regulatory landscape and suggest how it can support universities as they transition to HECI's unified framework. Its members include V Kamakoti, director, IIT-Madras; Nageshwar Rao, former VC, IGNOU; Shashikala Wanjari, VC, NIEPA; S Vidhyasubramaniam, VC, Sastra; and Pankaj Mittal, secretary general, AIU. AIU, founded in 1925, has for long coordinated functioning of universities, evaluated foreign degrees, and promoted sports and cultural initiatives. However, with NE envisioning a single regulator for higher education through HECI, AIU's operational structure and functions are being reassessed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So sánh mức trượt giá: Hợp đồng tương lai (CFD) Bitcoin vs Ethereum IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "The committee will examine operational issues and AIU's future role, including whether it should come under HECI," a member told TOI. "AIU's robust institutional network could be leveraged for global engagement and recognition of qualifications under the new system." The restructuring also follows University Grants Commission 's notification of the Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025. The framework seeks to establish a standardised and transparent process for recognising foreign academic degrees in India, bolstering the government's "Study in India" initiative.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
KIIT-DU Sends Largest Contingent from India to 2025 World University Games
KIIT to Lead India's Charge at 2025 World University Games as Largest University Contingent KIIT is the first University in India to send highest no of sports persons Odisha is second after Punjab among the states to send highest no of players Bhubaneswar, July 10: KIIT-DU is set to make history by sending the largest contingent of student-athletes among all Indian universities to the 2025 World University Games (WUG) in Germany. With 40 athletes competing across seven sporting disciplines, KIIT will have the highest representation by a single Indian university in any edition of the Games. The 2025 World University Games will be held from July 16 to 27 across the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin. Known as the Olympics for university athletes aged 17 to 25, the event will see participation from over 300 Indian student-athletes from 61 universities, selected through trials that drew entries from more than 400 universities nationwide. KIIT has also been entrusted once again as a Nodal University by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), continuing a leadership role it has played in previous editions such as Napoli 2019 and Chengdu 2023. The athletes representing KIIT include Ms. Rupal (400m sprint); Ms. Ankita Dhyani (3000m steeplechase); Mr. Jeswin Aldrin (Long Jump); Mr. Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump) and Mr. Animesh Kujur (current national record holder in 100m sprint). Congratulating the sports persons and also the Indian Team the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta said, we are promoting 'Education with Sports' model at KIIT. KIIT University has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure, training facilities, and athlete support systems, he added. KIIT's role in the Indian delegation is not limited to athletes alone. The 407-member contingent (including sports and administrative officials) will benefit from the presence of seasoned coaches and experts such as Arjuna Awardee Rahul Banerjee (Archery), Surinder Singh (National Archery Coach), Sanjay Garnaik (International Athletics Coach), Lotak Bindu Dash (International Volleyball Coach), and Baljit Singh Sekhon (International Shooting Official and Head of Delegation). The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the AIU, and the Odisha Government have extended their support to ensure Indian athletes are well prepared. In Odisha, KIIT-DU leads with highest number of players (40) selected in various categories in the upcoming games, while one each from Utkal and Sambalpur Universities have been selected for the event. In all, 42 players are representing Odisha in Germany. Similarly, Odisha is at the second state after Punjab to be sending the maximum number of players to the World University Games. KIIT has been consistently performing well in various sporting events both at home and abroad. In the WUG at Chengdu, China in 2023, Olympian Dutee Chand (Sprinter) won Gold medal while Bhavani Devi was a stand-out athlete in Fencing in the 2023 edition. Several athletes like Manu Bhaker, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Swapnil Kusale won medals for India. 40 student-athletes from KIIT to compete in 7 sports disciplines Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta highlights KIIT's 'Education with Sports' vision Odisha ranks second after Punjab in overall number of players participating in the Games KIIT continues to invest in robust support systems for athletes 'This article is part of sponsored content programme.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Customs find 33 kg of hydroponic weed at CSMIA
Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Custom department arrested seven passengers in six separate cases at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and allegedly seized hydroponic weed worth ₹33 crore from them. Customs find 33 kg of hydroponic weed at CSMIA In the first case, on Wednesday, the AIU officials intercepted a passenger arriving from Malaysia and recovered 5.024 kg of a substance suspected to be hydroponic weed (marijuana), which has an illicit market value of approximately ₹5.024 crores. The accused had concealed the contraband inside vacuum sealed black and transparent plastic packets in a trolley bag. He was taken into custody and arrested under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act. Another team of the AIU intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok, and when the officials searched him, they recovered 2.425 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana) worth ₹2.425 crores. He too was hiding the narcotic substances in black and transparent plastic packets in a trolley bag. The AIU, while searching another passenger from Bangkok found 2.481kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana) worth ₹2.481 crore concealed in his luggage. While two other smugglers were caught and questioned, they confessed that a third person was coming to receive the contraband. The police then laid a trap for their accomplice and caught him when he arrived at the autorikshaw parking outside the airport. Another two passengers coming from Bangkok were also intercepted, and officials seized 5.582 kg and 6 kg of hydroponic weed worth ₹11.5 crore from them. All the accused were taken into custody and booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- The Hindu
11.8 kg hydroponic ganja seized from air passenger
Officials of the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) seized 11.8 kg of hydroponic ganja from an air passenger at the Tiruchi international airport on Monday. Acting on inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the AIU officials intercepted a passenger who arrived here from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur. His baggage contained 28 vaccum-sealed pouches of hydroponic ganja weighing 11.8 kg. The contraband was seized and the passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985. Further investigation is on, the Tiruchi Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate said in a post on X.
