Latest news with #AbhayKarandikar
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IIT Indore, Mehta Family Foundation partner to launch 2 academic schools in Sustainability and Biomedical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore today announced a partnership with the Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation (MFF),establish two new academic schools: Mehta Family School of Sustainability and Mehta Family School of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering. IIT Indore, Mehta Family Foundation Partner to launch 2 academic achools(Handout) Also read: IIT Bombay launches certificate course in 'Supply Chain Analytics with AI & ML,' enrolments open; check details The Mehta Family School of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering will be a pioneering academic and research hub at the intersection of Biology, Technology, Data, and AI, the institute said. The Mehta Family School of Sustainability will be an institution dedicated to climate-conscious innovation, leadership, and knowledge creation and will launch India's first BTech program in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Engineering, the institute informed. Also read: IIT-Guwahati students protest fee rise; management says 'small group' against hike The formal exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place in New Delhi in the presence of Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; . Rahul Mehta, Founder of the Mehta Family Foundation; Dr. Suhas Joshi, Director, IIT Indore; Prof. Gobardhan Das, Director, IISER Bhopal; and Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, in the presence of Prof. Shankar Subramaniam, University of California, San Diego; Prof. Ananth Y Grama, Purdue University; and Prof. Rajesh Gupta, University of California, San Diego, among other distinguished guests from the IIT academia. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, said, '…The Mehta Family Foundation's ability to identify thematic areas that closely mirror the government's science and technology priorities is commendable. Such efforts strengthen India's innovation ecosystem and contribute meaningfully to our long-term national goals in research and education.' Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, said, 'It's inspiring to see the convergence of engineering and biology being harnessed to address future's grand challenges. IITs are nurturing a vibrant biotech ecosystem, and the Mehta Family Foundation's initiatives are adding significant momentum. Their long-term vision and clear scientific agendas align well with emerging national frameworks like the Bio-E3 policy. This kind of support helps industrialise innovation and ensures India continues to lead across key science and technology parameters globally.' Dr. Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore said this partnership with is the first single largest philanthropic contribution to IIT Indore. '... MFF, along with its financial support, brings a deep network of academic expertise, industry leaders, and international collaborators. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks in interdisciplinary education and research that addresses critical societal issues.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
IITs are expected to steer the country ahead through innovation, says officer
'Premier institutions of higher education like THE Indian Institutes of Technology are the pride of the nation. They are expected to steer the country ahead through innovation,' Union Science and Technology Secretary Abhay Karandikar said in Dharwad on Saturday. He was delivering the convocation lecture at IIT Dharwad. 'The Union government is throwing the highest focus on institutions like IITs. India now hosts the world's third-largest research ecosystem. There has been a growth in high-impact scientific publications and research output in the recent decades,' Prof. Karandikar said. He said that the country's dynamic growth trajectory is a result of significant investments in research, including the recent allocation of ₹1 lakh crore for research and development. He urged young graduates to focus not just on developing cutting-edge technologies but also on crafting policy interventions that can bring meaningful change to society. He said that India's science and technology landscape is transformative and that it is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. 'It is in such a situation that national institutions like IITs will play a pivotal role,' he said. During the convocation, the President of India Gold Medal was awarded to Pomaje Rishabh Sharad from the Electrical Engineering Department, while the Director's Gold Medal was awarded to Abhiram K. from the Engineering Physics Department. IIT Goa Director Dhirendra Katti spoke on the evolving role of engineering in addressing pressing local and global challenges. 'Today's engineers must engage with complex issues such as climate change, public health, clean energy, ethical artificial intelligence and the disruptions brought by rapid technological advancement,' he said. Prof. Katti urged students to pursue solutions that are not only innovative but also socially and ethically responsible. He called for collective efforts towards building an equitable and sustainable future, encouraging graduates to contribute to designing effective water management systems and fostering collaborations across disciplines. IIT Dharwad Director Venkappayya Desai presented the institute's annual report and said that the focus is on overall academic growth, research excellence and a vibrant campus life. Member of the Board of Governors S.S. Murthy presided over the convocation. A total of 227 degrees, 164 30 13 MS and 20 Ph.D, were awarded at the event.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
227 candidates to receive degrees at IIT Dharwad convocation on Saturday
Union Secretary of Science and Technology Abhay Karandikar will deliver the convocation address at the sixth annual convocation of Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad to be held on Saturday. Addressing presspersons in Dharwad on Wednesday, Director of IIT Dharwad Venkappayya Desai said that the convocation will be held on the institute's campus at Chikkamaligwad on the outskirts of Dharwad. Director of IIT Goa Dhirendra Katti will be the guest of honour. Prof. Desai said that a total of 227 candidates, 164 30 13 MS and 20 doctoral, will receive degrees during the convocation. And, meritorious students will receive two gold medals and seven silver medals, he said. 'The President of India Gold Medal will be presented to Pomaje Rishabh Sharad from the Electrical Engineering Department, while the Director's Gold Medal will be given to Abhiram K. from the Engineering Physics Department,' he said. Prof. Desai said that Agrim Jain from CS, N. Sanjeev from EE, Eluri Harshita from Mechanical, Jatin Lather from Engineering Physics, Kaushik Shivanand Powar from E&C, Jashwanth Polimera from Aerospace Engineering and Karthikeya Kumar Singh from Aerospace Engineering will be receiving silver medals during the convocation. He said that the Union government has sanctioned the Sam Manekshaw Centre of Excellence for National Security Studies and Research to IIT-Dh, which will focus on strengthening India's defence capabilities and fostering indigenous innovation, including defence applications in national security. Dean of Infrastructure Planning System Amarth Hegde said that the Union Cabinet has sanctioned ₹2,200 cr to IIT-Dh under Phase 1 B for infrastructure development on campus. Utilising these funds which will be released in the next four years, additional academic blocks, labs, research and development centres, faculty and staff housing, outdoor sports infrastructure, green energy and other projects will be taken up, he said.
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi: National Workshop on Alternate Data Sources and Frontier Technologies focuses on policy making
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in partnership with NITI Aayog and the World Bank as a knowledge partner, organised a two-day National Workshop entitled 'Using Alternate Data Sources and Frontier Technologies for Policy Making.' This event took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on June 5 and 6. The National Workshop concluded with a Valedictory Session on 6 June. According to the release, the Valedictory Session was graced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to GoI as the Chief Guest; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, D/o Science and Technology; Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI and P.R. Meshram, Director General, MoSPI. The two-day workshop was attended by over 450 participants from central ministries, state governments, international organisations, including the World Bank, academic and research institutions, and private sector entities. In his address, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI and the Chief Guest of the event, emphasised that alternate data sources and frontier technologies are increasingly becoming critical for policy making. These high-frequency indicators are more dynamic and offer timely insights, enabling policies to be more agile and responsive. While traditional data sources reflect where we have been, the alternative data sources indicate where we are heading. He added that though alternative data sources provide real-time information at a much granular level, they cannot replace traditional data sources. He emphasised the need for the best policy, which blends both traditional and alternative data sources. He highlighted various use cases where alternate data sources have been effectively used. He stressed the need for collaboration between the Government, academia, researchers, industry and international organisations for the effective use of new technologies. He also called for the ethical deployment of AI and said that data security and privacy concerns cannot be compromised. Further, he asserted that the development of the techno-legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure is a gift of India to the World. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, D/o Science and Technology, in his address, remarked that the policy-making process is a complex exercise which involves gathering of data, consultation with stakeholders and drawing insights. AI/ML has facilitated the timely processing of data for designing actionable policies. In this age and time, the challenge is not to collect data but to make sense of the data. The real challenge lies in addressing issues relating to data privacy, data security, regulatory framework, and institutional readiness. He emphasised the need for an institutionalised hybrid data ecosystem which has equal place for both traditional and alternative data sources. Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, in his address emphasised the need to foster collaboration with various stakeholders for developing a robust statistical system to address the data needs for policy making. He opined that as survey data becomes available with a time lag, alternative data sources can be used to supplement traditional data sources for policy making in real time. While quoting the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, he emphasised that for statistical purposes best combination of the four data sources, namely surveys, censuses, administrative records and alternate data sources, may be drawn with quality and timeliness, along with limiting cost and respondent burden. He expected that in the next 3-6 months, MoSPI would be able to implement some of the use cases that have been identified to harness alternate data sources and the application of frontier technologies. He thanked the World Bank for conceptualising and NITI Aayog for collaborating with MoSPI in organising this workshop and expressed that India will be at the forefront of integrating alternate data sources and frontier technologies in the National Statistical Frameworks. In the welcome address, P.R. Meshram, Director General (Data Governance), expressed gratitude to NITI Aayog, World Bank, and other participants for their active involvement during the two-day event. He added that the workshop has not only deepened our understanding of the challenges in the integration of alternate data sources in the statistical system of the country, but also helped chart out the solutions to the challenges. The key highlights of the four technical sessions on the subjects, viz, AI and Data Science for Official Statistics; Mobile Phone Data for Tourism Statistics; Geo-spatial Data for Sampling, Ocean Accounting and Data Dissemination and Scanner data for CPI compilation held during Workshop were also discussed during the valedictory session along with key takeaways. Some of the salient points of the technical sessions are as under: Technical sessions on the subject started with setting the context for the use of AI and data science in official statistics and identifying key stakeholders. Way forward for National Statistics Office, considering the stage it is in, i.e. from pilot stage to production stage, was discussed during the session. Abhishek Singh, CEO, India AI and Debjani Ghosh, Chief Architect, Frontier Tech Hub, NITI Aayog, Ankit Bose, Head AI, NASSCOM, Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, IIT-Madras, Richard Campbell, UK ONS, and Thomas Danielewitz, Malar Veerappan, Shreya Dutt from World Bank were among the key speakers. Technical Sessions on the subject also focused on discussion to devise a methodological framework using mobile phone data for tourism statistics tailored to Indian needs and covered relevant issues like data privacy and regulatory challenges. Use-cases from other countries for tourism, urban mobility and infrastructure assessment were discussed during the technical session. Safi A. Rizvi, Advisor, NDMA, Siim Esko, International Project Development Lead, Positium, Esperanza Magpantay, Senior Statistician, International Telecommunication Union, Titi Kanti Lestari, Atma Jaya University, Indonesia, Asit Kadyan, D/o Telecommunication, GoI and Sagar Mathur, Vice President, Airtel, were among the key speakers. Technical Sessions on Geo-spatial Data for Sampling, Ocean Accounting and Data Dissemination of the workshop highlighted the transformative potential of geospatial technologies in enhancing official statistics, with a focus on updating sampling frames in urban areas, improving data collection, integration, and dissemination. The latter part of the technical session was devoted to exploring the application of geospatial data in ocean accounting. The session featured enriching presentations and discussions by Richard Campbell, Deputy Director, UK Office for National Statistics; Kate Hess, Solution Engineer, ESRI; Srikant Shastri, Chairperson, Geospatial Data Promotion & Development Committee; Anija Shukla, Environment Specialist, World Bank; Rashmi Verma, Co-Founder, MapMyIndia, along with experts from NRSC, INCOIS, NCCR and various academic and research institutions. Speakers demonstrated advanced geospatial tools integrated with AI techniques for feature extraction, change detection, and spatial stratification, showcasing use cases that illustrated the value of GIS-AI convergence for dynamic visualisations, real-time dashboards, and evidence-based policymaking. Technical sessions on the subject covered concepts and methodologies related to scanner data, web scraping techniques, requisite IT infrastructure and other available alternative data sources for integration in Consumer Price Index (CPI). Key speakers in the session were Federico Polidoro, World Bank; Luigi Palumbo from the Bank of Italy, Prof. Himanshu from JNU, Dr. Aditi Chaubal from IIT Bombay, Anand Agarwal from V-Mart, Sonu Shah from Nielsen IQ and many others from industry and academic organisations. Sessions provided valuable insights for accelerating MoSPI's ongoing efforts for the integration of alternative data sources, particularly scanner data and e-commerce data in CPI compilation methodology. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ashutosh Ojha, DDG, MoSPI. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, other dignitaries, participants from Multilateral agencies, industries, academia, researchers, as well as officers from both central and state governments for gracing the event. (ANI)
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Business Standard
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months
The Rs 1-trillion Research Development and Innovation Fund (ANRM), announced in the July Budget for FY25—with Rs 20,000 crore already allocated—will be operationalised in the next two to three months, a top official said. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had, on February 1, allocated Rs 20,000 crore to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as a corpus to promote private sector–driven innovation. The Rs 1-trillion fund was first announced in the July 2023 Budget. While the ANRM fund primarily supports academic research, universities, and public research labs, the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund under it will be dedicated exclusively to private sector R&D. The DST plans to set up a Deep Tech Fund under this scheme, aimed at building strategic autonomy in critical sectors such as clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and advanced materials. 'This fund is not just for start-ups—it is also for corporates and industries, provided they undertake cutting-edge R&D projects. Once operational, the industry is expected to deliver innovative products and help India achieve strategic autonomy in the mobility transition,' said Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, at the Battery Summit organised by World Resources Institute (WRI) India on Wednesday. DST's budget has grown from ₹2,777 crore in 2014 to ₹28,509 crore in FY26, and gross expenditure on R&D has risen from ₹60,196 crore to ₹1,27,380 crore over the same period. Investment in battery R&D is crucial, as it drives innovation in energy storage, improving battery performance, safety, and cost-efficiency. Research is essential for meeting rising energy demands, transitioning to sustainable transportation, and achieving energy independence. India currently lacks significant reserves of key battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, making the country reliant on imports and exposing it to price volatility and geopolitical risks. Meanwhile, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), a government body, will set up an advanced battery lab in the next few months as part of its expansion plan, an ARAI official said. However, he expressed scepticism about its capacity to meet India's full testing needs. ARAI is reportedly planning to invest Rs 100 crore to develop advanced testing labs and infrastructure across the country in 2025. Several of its facilities at the new Mobility Research Centre in Takwe are in the final stages of completion and are expected to be operational this year. ARAI established its first Centre of Excellence for Green Mobility in Chakan, Pune, in 2020. At the Battery Summit, WRI India released a report titled Development of Data Frameworks for Battery Circularity in India, which stressed the urgent need for a unified data framework to improve transparency and collaboration across the battery ecosystem. A battery data framework facilitates the collection and assessment of key data across the battery life cycle using its digital record. This enables seamless, secure, and transparent data exchange among multiple stakeholders in the EV ecosystem. Such a framework benefits supply-chain stakeholders by providing access to data on due diligence, carbon footprint, and material composition. This enables battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs to compare suppliers, enhance sourcing decisions, and mitigate risks associated with raw material sourcing, processing, and trading. Similarly, access to reliable and comparable data on a battery's carbon footprint can help consumers make informed purchase decisions. Further, information on battery composition and state of health (SoH) is particularly valuable in ensuring efficient battery recycling and reuse.
