IIT Bombay Hosts Chemistry Camp for Blind Students

Image Courtesy: Free Press Journal

IIT Bombay recently held the 75th Yusuf Hamied Chemistry Camp for 59 visually impaired students from government schools across four districts: Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Solapur.

As a step towards inclusive science education, the camp was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and funded by a generous donation from Dr. Yusuf Hamied. The camp provided a first-of-its-kind, hands-on opportunity for blind students to explore the wonders of chemistry through the senses of touch and smell.

This year’s camp featured a brand-new module developed by Prof. C. Subramanian of IIT Bombay, which was developed under the strategic leadership of Dr. Swetavalli Raghavan, Head of Innovation Strategy and Government Affairs at the RSC.

The initiative marks a meaningful step towards making science accessible, inclusive, and is truly inspiring for all.

Project Titanium: Calling IITB Alumni to Lead the Charge in Innovation

IIT Bombay’s alumni have made waves across industries, building groundbreaking companies and driving innovation globally. Now, we want your support to guide the next generation of tech pioneers at your alma mater.

Project Titanium is transforming cutting-edge research into successful startups, and we need your expertise to take these ventures to the next level.

We invite you to step up as a business cofounder or mentor to guide our first cohort of IP innovators. With your proven experience, leadership, and insight, you can shape the future of deep-tech ventures emerging from IIT Bombay, and drive real-world impact in the process.

Click here for more details on Project Titanium

How to Get Involved: If you’re a visionary entrepreneur or seasoned industry leader ready to leave a legacy of innovation, Project Titanium wants you. Join this exciting journey by filling out the following form where you can specify whether you’d like to become a cofounder or mentor, share your expertise, and indicate the areas you’re passionate about working in. 

Click here for the form

For further inquiries, please get in touch with Ms. Jayshree Nayak, Program Director | Titanium at:
Email: jayshree.nayak@sineiitb.org  
Phone: +91 99875 90839

Faculty Accolades

IIT Bombay and Imperial College, London, Strengthen Academic Partnership

IIT Bombay recently hosted a senior delegation from Imperial College London, led by its President, Prof. Hugh Brady. The visitors were welcomed by the Institute’s leadership, including Dr. Sharad K. Saraf, Chairperson of the Board of Governors.

The delegation held detailed discussions with several key entities at the institute, including the IIT Bombay Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability (GESH IITB), the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Information Computing Science & Technology, the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), and the IIT Bombay Research Park.

The visit offered a compelling glimpse into IIT Bombay’s research depth and innovation landscape, opening new possibilities for academic and research collaboration between the two globally respected institutions.

The visit highlighted a shared commitment to advancing global research, innovation, and education. As both institutions look to the future, this engagement lays the foundation for meaningful collaborations that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges through joint expertise and academic exchange.

IIT Bombay and IGNOU Join Forces to Make Education Multilingual

Image Courtesy: TIMES NOW Education

IIT Bombay’s Project Udaan, led by Prof. Ganesh Ramakrishnan, has entered into a landmark partnership with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to deliver high-quality academic content in multiple Indian languages using an advanced AI-powered translation platform. This collaboration, aligned with the goals of NEP 2020, aims to break language barriers, making distance learning more inclusive and accessible across the country.

Click here to read about how IIT Bombay and IGNOU are bridging India’s language divide through AI-powered translation: TIMES NOW Education

Dive deeper into the MoU and its national significance here: The New Indian Express

With Project Udaan, IIT Bombay once again shows how its research and innovation extend far beyond the lab—transforming how knowledge reaches the last mile and empowering learners in every corner of India.

Cricket Legend Steve Waugh Visits IIT Bombay to Champion India–Australia Innovation Ties

Legendary Australian cricketer and Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Board Member Mr. Steve Waugh visited IIT Bombay along with senior CAIR representatives, including CEO Mr. Tim Thomas and Consul General Mr. Paul Murphy. The delegation engaged with IIT Bombay’s leadership to explore deeper collaborations in education, research, and innovation, reflecting a strong shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

The group also visited the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) to learn more about the Institute’s thriving startup ecosystem.

The visit not only celebrated a sporting legend’s presence on campus but also strengthened IIT Bombay’s role as a catalyst for global collaboration—where academic excellence meets innovation, and diplomacy meets impact.

IIT Bombay Celebrates World IP Day with Thought-Provoking Dialogues

IIT Bombay marked World Intellectual Property Day with a special event that spotlighted the critical role of IP in driving innovation, creativity, and economic progress. Held at the Victor Menezes Convention Centre (VMCC), the event brought together thought leaders and scholars to explore the evolving IP landscape and its implications for academia and the digital economy.

Highlights of the event included engaging talks by:

  • Prof. Shishir Kumar Jha (Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies, IIT Bombay) on “Copyright and the Emerging Digital Economy”
  • Prof. Karuna Jain (SJMSOM, IIT Bombay) on “The Importance of Intellectual Property in Academic Institutions”

The speakers emphasized how awareness of intellectual property rights is essential for research translation, technology commercialization, and informed policy-making in academic ecosystems.

The event underscored IIT Bombay’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and intellectual rigour. By facilitating meaningful dialogue around intellectual property and its far-reaching impact, the Institute continues to play a vital role in shaping research, policy, and innovation ecosystems in India and beyond.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare Visits National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, along with Dr. Yashawant Dev Panwar, Counsellor (Science and Technology) at the Embassy of India, recently visited the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan. During the visit, they engaged in fruitful discussions with NIMS President Dr. Kazuhiro Hono, toured cutting-edge laboratories, and explored avenues for future research collaborations.

The visit marks a promising step toward deepening scientific ties between India and Japan and advancing materials science through international cooperation. As one of India’s premier institutions, IIT Bombay continues to expand its global partnerships, fostering innovation and excellence through cross-border research.

AZeotropy 2025: IIT Bombay’s Premier Chemical Engineering Fest Ignites Innovation and Industry Collaboration

Image Courtesy: Chemical Industry Digest

The 19th edition of AZeotropy, IIT Bombay’s flagship chemical engineering symposium brought together students, industry leaders, and academics for a power-packed day of workshops, inspiring talks, panel discussions, and competitive events. Workshops on DWSIM, Ansys, and OpenFOAM jumpstarted the technical learning, followed by motivational sessions from senior professors and industry stalwarts like Mr. S. Bharathan (Director-Refineries, HPCL) and Mr. Maulik Mehta (CEO, Deepak Nitrite). Prof. Genki Yoshikawa’s unique lecture on artificial olfaction, coupled with a live original song, added a special spark to the event.

Panel discussions tackled entrepreneurship and sustainable energy transitions, while a VR workshop offered a virtual refinery tour. Competitive events such as AZEOROVER, Chem-O-Philia, IDP, and CHEMPRENEUR showcased student creativity and technical prowess. The event culminated in a grand prize ceremony, celebrating excellence and teamwork.

AZeotropy 2025 not only demonstrated the vital role of chemical engineering in addressing global challenges but also reinforced IIT Bombay’s position as a vibrant hub for innovation and industry engagement.

Click to read more about AZeotropy 2025 and what’s next for this exciting fest here: Chemical Industry Digest

IIT Bombay and Tohoku University Sign Landmark Agreement to Establish Joint Institute of Excellence

IIT Bombay and Tohoku University, Japan, have signed a joint statement to establish the Tohoku University–IIT Bombay Joint Institute of Excellence (JIE)—a major step forward in advancing academic and research excellence between the two institutions. The collaboration is designed to foster industry-academia co-creation and promote a broad spectrum of joint initiatives.

In a significant milestone for Indo-Japanese academic relations, both institutions also signed an agreement to launch a Dual Doctoral Degree Programme, signalling a transformative new phase in bilateral research engagement.

This partnership is poised to accelerate cutting-edge research, enable student and faculty exchanges, and fuel innovation in several key domains of mutual interest, including sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, materials science, and disaster resilience.

The agreements were formalised during a special ceremony hosted at Tohoku University, attended by senior officials, faculty members, and delegates from both institutions. Distinguished guests included:

  • Mr. Sibi George, Hon. Ambassador of India to Japan
  • Mr. Gakuji Ito, Director-General, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
  • Mr. Kanji Fujiki, Director-General, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sakura Science Exchange Program
  • Mr. Kazuhiro Aoki, Managing Director, The 77 Bank Ltd
  • Delegates from Tohoku University led by President Prof. T. Tominaga
  • From IIT Bombay: Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairperson, Board of Governors; Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay; Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director (ART); Prof. Sudarshan Kumar, Dean (IR); Prof. Suvarn Kulkarni, Dean (AP); Prof. P. Seshu, Convenor, JIE Committee; and Ms. Chandrika Naik, International Relations Office

As part of the ceremony, Prof. Masahiro Yamaguchi shared an overview of the JIE initiative, Prof. Daisuke Komori presented Tohoku University’s ongoing activities, and Prof. P. Seshu spoke about IIT Bombay’s contributions and vision for the collaboration.

Earlier, in March 2025, IIT Bombay hosted a week-long Global Immersion Program for students from Tohoku University. The students described their experience as enriching and inspiring, offering glowing feedback on their engagement with the institute.

IIT Bombay’s partnership with Tohoku University marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter in global academic cooperation. By establishing the Joint Institute of Excellence and the Dual Doctoral Degree Program, the Institute reaffirms its commitment to building impactful international alliances that advance knowledge, foster innovation, and deepen cultural and educational ties between India and Japan.