IIT Ropar Celebrates 15th Foundation Day with a Visionary Agenda

IIT Ropar Celebrates 15th Foundation Day with a Visionary Agenda

Bahadurjeet Singh/Rupnagar,February 24,2024

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (Ropar) marked its 15th Foundation Day with a grand celebration aimed at accelerating research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the country. The event, held on February 24, 2024, witnessed the unveiling of a visionary mission and strategic plan that underlined IIT Ropar’s commitment to societal progress. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, delivered a compelling address highlighting the institution’s journey and its pivotal role as a catalyst for transformative change. The ceremony also saw the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives, including support programs for new faculty members, internship opportunities, and specialised training in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drone technology.

Government, Industry Leaders, and Academia Convene to Foster Innovation: The celebration brought together esteemed panel lists from government bodies, industry, and academia to deliberate on strategies for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Panel sessions chaired by prominent figures such as J. M. Balamurugan, IAS, along with other panelists, Surender Makhija, Advisor and Senior Vice President, Jain Irrigation, Dr. Dapinder Bakshi, Joint Director, PSCST, Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Director, Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Punjab, Kanika Rajdev, Founder, Mindcog, discussed the critical role of collaborative efforts in accelerating research and development. These discussions were enriched by insights from entrepreneurs, academics, and industry leaders, emphasising the importance of innovation-driven partnerships in addressing contemporary challenges and driving sustainable growth.

At Panel Session II, attendees delved into the realms of innovation, deep-tech entrepreneurship, and collaborative strides in emerging technologies. A distinguished panel, including Zaran Bhagwagar, Dr. Rajnish Mallick, Himja Rana, Siddharth Savyasachi,, and Vineet Khurana, explored the forefront of transformative ideas and ventures. From dissecting startups to envisioning the future of technology, the session ignited inspiration for pioneering the next wave of innovation.

During the Foundation Day celebration, participants were engaged with special talks, including insights into New Initiatives and Opportunities at CoE SARDS by Dr. Atharva Poundarik, Assistant Professor at IIT Ropar, and a captivating discussion on “The Future of Drones in India” led by Maj. Gen (Dr.) Mandip Singh (Retd.) from DroneAcharya. These informative sessions provided valuable perspectives on cutting-edge research and the potential impact of emerging technologies on various sectors.

IIT Ropar Celebrates 15th Foundation Day with a Visionary Agenda. Showcasin Excellence and Charting the Future Path: The event also showcased the excellence and ingenuity of the research community through presentations, awards, and demonstrations. Participants were treated to presentations on new opportunities in defence and security research, as well as the future potential of drone technology in India. The unveiling of results from the R&D Pitchathon under SAMRIDHI 3.0: Innoquest underscored the institution’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja concluded the event with forward-looking remarks, expressing optimism about the future trajectory of IIT Ropar and its continued contributions to advancing knowledge and driving socio-economic progress.