Guwahati: As social media users embrace the growing fascination with 1980s-style photographs, Gauhati University has joined the trend with a distinctly old-school approach—by turning to its own archives instead of relying on artificial intelligence.
The university recently shared a collection of photographs from its archives as part of its “Shutter Stories | Gauhati University” social media initiative. The post highlighted photographs from the university’s past and invited viewers to experience the unmistakable look and atmosphere associated with the 1980s.
Shutter Stories | Gauhati University 📸
1980s vibes have been all over the place since yesterday, September 10! While initially we were tempted too, but then we thought of more non-AI ways of celebrating this trend on the social media. We dugged out our old photos, real ones… pic.twitter.com/a6Db3tx1JM
— Gauhati University (@GauhatiUniv) September 12, 2026
Rather than creating retro-style images using AI tools, Gauhati University said it chose to revisit its collection of authentic photographs. The initiative offers a glimpse into the university’s earlier years through images that were captured at the time rather than digitally recreated.
The university’s post noted that the 1980s trend had been gaining attention since September 10. While the institution initially considered participating in the trend in the conventional way, it opted for what it described as a more “non-AI” form of celebration.
The decision has given the social media trend a nostalgic academic touch, with old photographs from the university’s archives offering a visual connection to its history and campus life.
A Different Take on the 1980s Trend
The university’s approach also highlights the value of preserving historical photographs. Unlike AI-generated retro images that recreate a particular period through digital techniques, archival photographs provide an authentic record of people, places and moments from the past.
The images shared by Gauhati University have therefore become more than just a response to a social media trend. They also serve as a small visual window into the institution’s heritage.
Established in 1948, Gauhati University is one of the oldest universities in Northeast India and is based at Jalukbari in Guwahati. The university describes itself as a major centre of higher education, research and academic activity in the region.
With its #80s, #80svibes and #Throwback hashtags, the university has brought its own archives into the ongoing nostalgia wave—showing that sometimes the most convincing throwback is simply an old photograph preserved over the years.
