The award recognises HNLU's innovative Research Hub and Spoke Model (R-HaS), an institutional framework designed to promote interdisciplinary, collaborative and impact-oriented research. Conceived as a transformative approach to research and innovation, R-HaS seeks to move beyond conventional individual-centred research towards an integrated ecosystem connecting faculty, students, researchers and academic institutions with government, industry, the judiciary and international partners.

Launched in 2023 under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, R-HaS has emerged as a significant institutional initiative for strengthening research culture within the University. The model is structured around five interdisciplinary Schools and 25 specialised Research Centres working across diverse contemporary areas, including law and technology, public policy, governance, business, climate change, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, intellectual property, data protection, indigenous rights and human rights.

The initiative has enabled HNLU to generate measurable research outcomes through national and international conferences, policy dialogues, training and capacity-building programmes, institutional collaborations and stakeholder engagement. By promoting interdisciplinary research and encouraging knowledge exchange beyond academic boundaries, R-HaS seeks to ensure that research contributes meaningfully to policy development, professional capacity-building and societal progress.

The award was received on behalf of HNLU by Dr. Anita Singh, Faculty Member, HNLU, from Dr. Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld, at the award ceremony.

Prof. (Dr.) V. C. Vivekanandan, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, congratulated the University community on the achievement and acknowledged the collective efforts of faculty members, researchers, students and the various Research Centres that have contributed to the growth of the R-HaS ecosystem.

The recognition marks a significant milestone for HNLU and reinforces the University's vision of positioning research as a key driver of innovation and societal transformation.