News Category: Institute In News

IIT Bombay recently hosted the latest lecture in its distinguished ‘Prof. N.R. Kamath Distinguished Institute Lecture’ series, celebrating the contributions of Prof. N.R. Kamath, former Deputy Director and founding head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Institute.

The lecture featured Dr. Arun Dravid, a celebrated IIT Bombay alumnus and Chairman Emeritus of Jacobs Engineering India Ltd. Dr. Dravid, who has also served as an external member of the IIT Senate and has been a visiting faculty member at both IIT Bombay and ICT Mumbai, delivered a compelling talk on the “Science of Musical Notes: Sur and Shrutis.”

Dr. Dravid, known for his exceptional achievements in both engineering and music, shared his insights on the science and nuances of musical notes. His distinguished career includes earning the President of India Gold Medal in 1966, followed by advanced degrees from MIT, USA. In addition to his engineering career, Dr. Dravid is an accomplished vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, having studied under prominent maestros such as Ustad Abdul Majid Khan Saheb and Gaanasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar.

The lecture, held on campus, was well-received, offering a unique blend of scientific and musical perspectives. The event underscored IIT Bombay’s commitment to honouring its alumni’s diverse achievements and fostering a vibrant academic and cultural dialogue.

IIT Bombay and BITS Pilani have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, innovation, and skill development. This partnership seeks to harness the strengths of both institutions, focusing on joint research, industry challenges, and technological advancements.

The MoU facilitates scholarly and industrial cooperation, fostering knowledge exchange and addressing societal challenges through cutting-edge technology. The collaboration will encompass joint research projects, consultancy, student internships, faculty exchanges, and the development of modern technological solutions.

This MoU underscores IIT Bombay’s openness and commitment to collaborating with other top institutions, recognizing that sharing knowledge and resources is essential for addressing and resolving critical global challenges. By combining expertise and resources, IITB and BITS Pilani are poised to create transformative solutions for the betterment of society and the world.

IIT Bombay celebrated Engineer’s Day on Sunday, 15th September 2024. Mr. P. R. K. Murthy (Former Director, Metro Projects, MMRDA) was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

In addition to the celebrations, IITB Distinguished Alumnus, Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Bombay and IIT Jammu, was featured on Entrepreneur India and shared his thoughtful insights on the occasion. Read more on his comments at Entrepreneur India.

Another IITB Distinguished Alumnus, Mr. Raj Nair was featured on CXOToday. Read more on his thoughts on the day at CXOToday.

Engineer’s Day serves as a reminder of the vital contributions engineers make to society and the advancement of technology. IIT Bombay has historically played a pivotal role in shaping the engineering landscape in India, fostering innovation and excellence. Today, the Institute continues to empower the next generation of engineers, equipping them with the skills to tackle contemporary challenges. The achievements of alumni like Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf and Mr. Raj Nair exemplify the lasting impact IITB graduates have in various fields, reinforcing the Institute’s legacy as a cornerstone of engineering education and leadership.

The IIT Bombay C1973 EV Lab hosted E-Mobility Tech Day. This landmark event gathered pioneers, innovators, and enthusiasts from the electric vehicle (EV) industry to discuss the latest advancements and future trends in e-mobility.

The event saw multiple speakers including:

• Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay who delivered the welcome address highlighting the importance of IIT Bombay’s role in advancing EV technologies and fostering industry-academia collaboration.
• Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, delivered the keynote address

The event included Featured Talks by:

• Dr. Anita Gupta, HoD Climate, Energy & Sustainable Technology (CEST), DST
• Mr. Rajendra Bhinge, Advisory Board Member, C1973 EV Power Train Lab, Ex-Executive Director, Tata Industries Ltd., Ex-Chairman of Infiniti Retail Ltd. (Croma) & Nelco Ltd.
• Mr. Gajanan Gandhe, Country Head, Dana India

Others who delivered speeches included:

• Prof. Sachin C. Patwardhan, Dean, R&D, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Dean, Alumni & Corporate Relations, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Sandeep Anand, Professor-in-Charge, C1973 EV Power Train Lab

The event also included myriad discussion topics about the core issue. Panel discussions took place on:

• The Synergy Between Academia and Industry in Advancing Electric Vehicle Technology
• EV Revolution: The Imperatives for Business

And Theme Panels were held on:

• EV Power Electronics and Motors
• Cells and Battery Packs
• Charging Infrastructure

The event also included tech exhibitions and lab visits to foster further exchange of ideas and collaboration.

Supported by IIT Bombay’s Institution of Eminence (IoE), the event was sponsored by Revine Tech, San Instruments, Hioki, and Nayak Power. A major highlight of the day was the launch of the Industry-Academia Partnership Program (I-APP) and the Executive Post Graduate Diploma (EPGD) in E-Mobility, inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar.

Events such as the E-Mobility Tech Day at IIT Bombay highlight the Institute’s pivotal role in advancing electric vehicle technology and fostering meaningful collaboration between academia and industry. Through initiatives like the Industry-Academia Partnership Program (I-APP) and the Executive Post Graduate Diploma (EPGD) in E-Mobility, IIT Bombay reaffirms its commitment to innovation and shaping the future of sustainable mobility.

IIT Bombay proudly organized its inaugural Open Source GIS Day celebrations, alongside the presentation of the National Geospatial Awards 2024 (Edition 01).

This initiative is part of the FOSSEE (GIS) project, conducted under the National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The primary aim of the National Geospatial Awards is to recognize individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the advancement of geospatial technology in India, spanning various professions.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, distributed the awards including The National Geospatial Enabler Award and the National Geospatial Faculty Fellows. Honourees included:

• The National Geospatial Enabler Award:

– Survey of India
– National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC-ISRO) Hyderabad
– ISRO’s SATNAV Programme
– North East Space Application Center (NESAC-ISRO)

• National Geospatial Faculty Fellow Category

– Prof. R. D. Garg (IIT Roorkee)
– Prof. RAAJ Ramasankaran (IIT Bombay)
– Col. Prof. Karbhari Kale (Vice Chancellor, DBATU)

Mr. Mohamed Kasim Khan, the National Coordinator for FOSSEE GIS under NMEICT, skilfully coordinated the event, ensuring its success and impact. The event also featured insightful addresses, including a keynote by Prof. Kannan Moudgalya, P.I. of FOSSEE, who discussed the evolving landscape of geospatial technology. Prof. Pennan Chinasamy, Co-P.I. of FOSSEE, emphasized the significance of celebrating Open Source GIS Day in fostering collaboration and innovation.

The National Geospatial Awards 2024 and Open Source GIS Day celebration at IIT Bombay highlighted IIT Bombay’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in geospatial technology and reinforced the importance of open-source tools in the advancement of the field. By recognizing the contributions of key organizations and individuals, the event served as an inspiration for future advancements in the field, encouraging ongoing engagement between academia and industry in harnessing the potential of geospatial tools.

IIT Bombay signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR – Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), New Delhi. This agreement is set to enhance collaborative research and foster the exchange of knowledge in the field of transportation systems engineering.

Attendees at the MoU signing included:

• Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director, CSIR CRRI, New Delhi
• Prof. Sachin C. Patwardhan, Dean, R&D, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Avijit Maji, Civil Engineering Department, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Tom V. Mathew, Head of Civil Engineering Department, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Nagendra Rao Velaga, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Solomon Debbarma, IIT Bombay
• Prof. Archak Mittal, IIT Bombay

The MoU outlines a collaborative framework aimed at advancing research and development in transportation systems. It includes provisions for institutional exchanges, organization of symposia, joint research programs, and the sharing of information on critical areas such as pavement materials and transportation systems engineering.

IIT Bombay’s collaboration with CSIR-CRRI underscores its commitment to advancing research and innovation in transportation systems engineering. By facilitating the exchange of ideas and fostering joint research efforts, IIT Bombay continues to strengthen its role as a leader in engineering research and development. This partnership promises to enhance the Institute’s contributions to the field, driving forward cutting-edge advancements and reinforcing its position at the forefront of engineering excellence.

IIT Bombay observed ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ on campus and honoured the profound suffering caused to victims of the partition of India in 1947.

The Institute organized a digital exhibition in collaboration with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), which was displayed in the foyer of the VMCC. The exhibition attracted was attended by faculty, staff, students, and visitors from PM SHRI KV IIT Powai and IIT Bombay Campus School & Jr. College.

Additionally, the National School of Drama (NSD) presented a play designed to educate students about the partition’s historical impact and the importance of remembering this crucial period.

For more information, access the play script and video here: Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

IIT Bombay’s observance of ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ highlighted its commitment to preserving historical memory and educating future generations. Through the digital exhibition and play, the Institute reinforced the importance of acknowledging and reflecting on the profound impact of the 1947 partition on millions of lives.

IIT Bombay hosted the WINGS (Work & Industry Neutral Growth Skills) workshop for aspiring women leaders. Dr. (Mrs.) Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India presided over the event (organized by the Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) as the Chief Guest.

In her keynote address, Dr. Maini underscored the critical need for balancing power dynamics and ensuring equitable representation of women to drive economic progress. She highlighted that women’s high emotional quotient, when complemented by their intelligence quotient, equips them with the skills necessary for effective leadership, including team coaching, stress management, and collaborative work. Dr. Maini praised women’s multitasking and articulation skills, which allow them to handle various responsibilities efficiently and make well-informed decisions.

Dr. Maini also emphasized the significance of self-belief, celebrating achievements, and overcoming imposter syndrome, which is often more prevalent among women in leadership roles. She urged the attendees to cultivate confidence, competitiveness, and transferable skills to reach their objectives.

Finally, Dr. Maini called for the establishment of a level playing field through supportive policies, a gender-sensitive work environment, and recognition of women’s contributions.

IIT Bombay’s hosting of the WINGS workshop highlights the Institute’s commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering future women leaders. By facilitating such impactful events, IIT Bombay not only supports the development of critical leadership skills among women but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and equitable representation. Through its outreach programs and collaborations, IIT Bombay continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where all individuals, regardless of gender, can achieve their full potential and drive meaningful change.

IIT Bombay participated in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, a nationwide initiative conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment aimed at creating a drug-free India. The Institute’s staff took a pledge in the Registrar’s Office conference room. Over 200 students from IIT Campus School and Junior College, Powai, and Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Powai, joined the campaign with enthusiasm. Guided by their teachers, the students held posters with powerful messages like “Say No To Drugs” and pledged to support a healthier, drug-free lifestyle.

IIT Bombay’s active involvement in socially responsible initiatives like the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan reflects its commitment to fostering a drug-free and healthy environment within its campus. The movement also extends to the broader community, inspiring future generations to lead responsible and impactful lives.