News Category: Institute In News

IIT Bombay celebrated अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मातृभाषा दिवस (International Mother Language Day) on February 21, 2025, to promote the use of mother tongues in educational institutions. Prof. Nand Kishore, Dean (Administrative Affairs), was the Chief Guest at the occasion, where several programmes were organized to preserve the linguistic diversity of India.

With a legacy that extends beyond science and technology, IIT Bombay serves as a guiding light for knowledge, culture, and inclusivity. By celebrating the richness of India’s languages, the Institute reaffirms its commitment to nurturing not just innovation but also identity, heritage, and the diverse voices that shape our nation.

Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times

IIT Bombay has partnered with Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) and Indian Railways to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at improving the financial sustainability and service efficiency of Mumbai’s suburban rail network. This initiative will develop a strategic framework to enhance operational viability while optimizing passenger experience on one of the world’s busiest railway systems.

The study will assess past urban transport projects, analyse ongoing rail developments, and evaluate their integration with other mass transit systems, such as the metro. Additionally, it will compare fare structures of AC and regular local train services to recommend financially sustainable pricing models. A railway official added that Mumbai’s suburban rail is a crucial component of the city’s transport infrastructure. This study, expected to be completed by July 2027, will help determine whether the current costing structure aligns with global practices and how operational efficiency can be improved.

Beyond financial sustainability, the research will guide future infrastructure planning and capacity expansion. Another railway official added that this initiative could lead to a more efficient train timetable, better fleet utilization, and improved passenger convenience. Experts in urban mobility believe the study could also unlock new revenue generation opportunities, infrastructure upgrades, and service improvements.

Mr. Madhu Kotian, president of the Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh, said that there was immense potential for the railways to monetize assets and improve both the system and passenger experience.

As a leader in research-driven urban mobility solutions, IIT Bombay continues to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s transportation landscape. By collaborating with key stakeholders, the institute is driving innovation and sustainability in mass transit, reinforcing its commitment to nation-building through cutting-edge research and impactful real-world applications.

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Image Courtesy: MSN

In a landmark move to strengthen global academic collaboration, IIT Bombay and IE University, Segovia, Spain, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive innovation, research, and cross-border education. This partnership brings together one of India’s foremost technological institutions and one of Europe’s leading universities to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers.

The signing ceremony, held at IIT Bombay, was attended by:

• Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay
• Dr. Santiago Iniguez de Onzono, President of IE University
• Dr. Karan Gupta, Managing Director of IE University, India & South Asia

Under the MoU, the two institutions will collaborate on student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, executive education, and leadership development programs. By bridging expertise in technology, business, and innovation, the partnership aims to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

Dr. Karan Gupta emphasized the transformative nature of the alliance, stating, “This partnership is a game-changer for both institutions. By combining IIT Bombay’s deep-rooted technical expertise with IE University’s leadership in global business education, we are paving the way for future leaders who will shape industries worldwide.”

Dr. Santiago Iniguez de Onzono echoed this sentiment, adding, “IE University has always championed diversity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Partnering with a world-class institution like IIT Bombay enhances our mission to create globally competent leaders who can drive change at an international level.”

This collaboration further cements IIT Bombay’s role as a global academic powerhouse, reinforcing its commitment to fostering international partnerships that push the boundaries of research and education. By engaging with top institutions worldwide, IIT Bombay continues to create pathways for knowledge exchange, skill development, and groundbreaking discoveries that contribute to nation-building and global progress.

IIT Bombay signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Stuttgart Technical University of Applied Sciences to promote institutional collaboration and student exchange.

A delegation from the German state of Baden-Württemberg visited IIT Bombay. Ms. Petra Olschowski, Minister for Science, Research, and Art, led the delegation which also included representatives from the Ministry of Science, prominent universities in Baden-Württemberg, and other research authorities. Faculty members from IIT Bombay engaged with the delegation to explore opportunities for future collaborations.

With a strong commitment to academic and research excellence, IIT Bombay continues to forge meaningful global partnerships. This collaboration with Stuttgart Technical University and the engagement with Baden-Württemberg’s academic leaders will open new avenues for research, student exchange, and joint innovation, reinforcing IIT Bombay’s position as a hub for world-class education and cutting-edge research.

IIT Bombay welcomed a delegation of 32 international professionals from 21 countries, who visited the Institute to explore its cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence and data science. Led by Shri G. S. Suryawanshi, Director, Civil and Autonomous Bodies (C&AB), Office of the Principal Director of Audit (Central), Mumbai, Indian Accounts and Audit Department, the delegation engaged with IIT Bombay’s pioneering AI research.

The visitors toured the Centre for Machine Intelligence and Data Science (C-MInDS), where they experienced hands-on simulations and live demonstrations of AI-driven technologies. These interactions provided deep insights into the transformative role of AI in automation, decision-making, and predictive analytics.

Faculty members, including Prof. Nand Kishore, Dean (Administrative Affairs), Prof. Sachin Patwardhan, Dean (R&D), and Mr. Ganesh Bhorkade, Registrar, interacted with the delegates, facilitating discussions on the future of AI and its global impact.

With its cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art AI initiatives, IIT Bombay continues to drive technological innovation, fostering global collaborations and shaping the future of intelligent systems.

IIT Bombay’s Department of Earth Sciences, in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), hosted an Expert-Level Workshop on Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Bringing together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, the workshop served as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing technological expertise, and shaping India’s future in CCUS and CDR. Discussions focused on building a strategic blueprint to help the Government of India lay the foundation for a robust and effective CCUS Mission.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog, Govt. of India, who was the Chief Guest and Plenary Speaker. Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, highlighted the Institute’s deep commitment to pioneering research and technology-driven solutions in decarbonization. Also present was Prof. Vikram Vishal, Convener, National Centre of Excellence in CCUS (DST-supported), who contributed to discussions on India’s emerging CCUS landscape.

With India’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2070 and a strong push for clean energy, collaborative efforts like these are essential for driving policy-driven action, scaling up decarbonization solutions, and accelerating technology deployment in hard-to-abate sectors. As always, IIT Bombay continues to lead the way in climate technology research, forging high-impact collaborations and contributing critical expertise in CCUS and CDR to help shape India’s sustainable, low-carbon future.

IIT Bombay celebrated International Women’s Day on March 7, 2025, with a powerful panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Wisdom from Inspiring Alumnae Who Lead.”

The event featured an inspiring lineup of distinguished alumnae who shared their journeys, challenges, and reflections on leadership across diverse domains:

• Ms. Damini Kumari (B.Tech., Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, 1991), former TV presenter and Leadership Coach
• Ms. Girija Ram (M.Sc., Chemistry Department, 1980), Entrepreneur
• Ms. Ahana Gautam (B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, 2010), Industry Professional
• Ms. Zenobia Driver (M.Sc., Chemistry Department, 1998), Consultant

Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the conversation, offering insight into navigating personal and professional challenges and redefining success on their own terms. As Ms. Damini Kumari aptly remarked, “The biggest roadblock is often the one we create for ourselves. Believe in yourself, take the leap—and watch the world open up.”

The event also included a heartfelt felicitation ceremony to honour the contributions of women colleagues who are superannuating in 2025 in recognition of their dedication and service to the Institute.

As IIT Bombay celebrated the achievements of its alumnae and colleagues, it reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equity, supporting women in science and technology, and creating inclusive spaces that empower every individual to thrive. Through continued dialogue, opportunity, and mentorship, the Institute remains steadfast in its mission to inspire the next generation of women leaders in STEM.

IIT Bombay was a key participant at IInvenTiv 2025, a premier R&D faire that brought together IITs, NITs, IISERs, and the country’s top-ranked institutions. Held at IIT Madras, the event showcased cutting-edge innovations driving India’s technological progress.

The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, inaugurated the event. Academicians, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders participated, including Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, who led the Institute’s delegation.

IIT Bombay’s exhibits spanned critical domains such as aviation, space, defence, AI/ML, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, smart infrastructure, and marine technology. The six featured innovations by IIT Bombay’s faculty included:

• Prof. Kasturi Saha (Department of Electrical Engineering) – A portable magnetometer using diamond colour defects for high-precision sensing applications.
• Prof. Smrutiranjan Parida (Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science) – Thin temperature shielding, sound-insulating, and corrosion-resistant coatings for industrial and defence applications.
• Prof. Preeti Rao (Department of Electrical Engineering) – An AI tool for oral reading fluency assessment designed to enhance literacy education.
• Prof. Prasanna Gandhi (Department of Mechanical Engineering) – Spanda 1, India’s first 3D SLA micro-printer, enabling high-precision microfabrication.
• Prof. V. Jothiprakash (Department of Civil Engineering) – A system for removing floating debris in open water channels aimed at improving waterway cleanliness.
• Prof. Leena Vachhani (Centre for Systems and Control Engineering) – Tow-fish technology for efficient pipeline inspection in underwater environments.

The exhibits drew interest from several distinguished visitors, including:

• Prof. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras
• Mr. Anil Sharma, Head-Corporate Incubation, TCS

With a legacy of pioneering research, IIT Bombay continues to develop transformative technologies that address national and global challenges. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the Institute remains a powerhouse of innovation, shaping a smarter, more sustainable future.

IIT Bombay successfully hosted ICONS 2025, a two-day workshop on Defence Technologies on campus. The theme of the event was ‘Better and Faster Tech for Defence.’ Organized as part of National Science Day 2025, the event brought together leading experts from the armed forces, industry, and academia to discuss cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of defence.

Key speakers included:

• General Manoj C. Pande, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of the Army Staff, who emphasized the crucial role of technological advancements in modern warfare.
• Air Chief Marshal Vivek R. Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC (Retd.), Former Chief of the Air Staff, who highlighted the impact of technology on military operations and national security.
• Air Vice Marshal Dhananjay V. Khot, AVSM, VM (Retd.), shared insights on military readiness for next-generation warfare.
• Neelesh Tungar, Whole-Time Director & CEO of Kalyani Strategic Systems, discussed aligning innovation with defence strategies.
• Prof. Milind D. Atrey, Deputy Director (Academics, Research & Translation), IIT Bombay, showcased the Institute’s robust innovation and translational research ecosystem.

Sessions held during the two days covered a range of critical topics, including:

• High-performance materials for defence applications, such as advanced propellants, high-energy density materials, ceramics, and AI-driven propellant formulations.
• Digital technologies in military operations, focusing on AI-driven intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, cognitive warfare, and drone-based intelligence.
• Smart defence and logistics, exploring IoT-driven smart assets, AI-powered maintenance, and digital twin technology for aviation and defence applications.

The event also featured prototypes and poster presentations by IIT Bombay faculty and startups, showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies. With nearly 200 attendees, ICONS 2025 fostered dynamic discussions, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaborations, paving the way for a more secure and resilient future.

ICONS 2025 reinforces IIT Bombay’s pivotal role in advancing defence technologies through innovation, research, and collaboration. By bringing together experts across sectors, the Institute continues to drive impactful solutions for a stronger, tech-driven national security ecosystem.