What kind of university is it? What distinguishes it from other universities? Why are you searching for something modern and sans serif?

Yes, good questions.

hhp

My university uses Akkurat for most of their branding and I think it looks nice. It's modern and has a 'cool but not too cool' feel.

Without questioning why it has to be modern and sans, I like this custom font by Bruce Mau: http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/. Also, Galaxie Polaris works quite well for Columbia Business School.