Hyderabad, Mar 15 (TNT): The Two-day 25th edition of the annual R&D Showcase of the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad, concluded its Gachibowli campus here on Sunday , highlighting the importance of trust, security and transparency in emerging technologies.
The two-day event, themed “Trust in Technology – Security, Privacy and Transparency,” features more than 400 research posters, demonstrations and prototypes from 29 research centres, drawing participation from academia, industry representatives and students.
The annual showcase provides a platform for faculty and students to present their latest research projects and innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, algorithms and digital public infrastructure.
Delivering the inaugural keynote, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) CEO Shivkumar Kalyanaraman said the organisation aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by funding and supporting scientific and technological research across institutions.
Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, the ANRF replaces the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and seeks to promote collaboration between academia, industry and government, he said.
Dr Kalyanaraman also outlined upcoming mission-mode programmes under the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) framework, focusing on sectors such as drone technologies, next-generation communication systems including 6G, water management and socially impactful innovations.
IIIT Hyderabad Director Prof Sandeep K. Shukla said the R&D Showcase reflects the institute’s spirit of inquiry and innovation.
“Technology shouldn’t control us; instead, we should control technology,” he said, stressing the need for responsible use of emerging technologies.
A panel discussion on “Building Trust in the Indian Cyberspace: Privacy, Security and Transparency in the Era of Emerging Technologies” highlighted the need for a strong national cybersecurity strategy.
The panellists included P. R. Lakshmi Eswari of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Hyderabad, Krishna Sastry Pendyala of Ernst & Young, Deepak Kumar of the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology and Prof M. V. Panduranga Rao of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.
The experts stressed the need to integrate security during the design stage of digital products and called for greater awareness, skilled manpower and stronger cybersecurity frameworks to address growing cyber threats.
Among the highlights of the showcase was an autonomous self-driving wheelchair designed to enhance mobility for persons with disabilities. The wheelchair uses 3D LiDAR-based environmental perception and advanced navigation systems to enable safe movement with minimal user input.
The exhibition also features robotics projects such as flapping-wing robots and spin drones, along with architectural models demonstrating traditional earthquake-resilient housing systems such as Kath Kuni houses of Himachal Pradesh, Adobe houses of Rajasthan and Ikra houses of Assam.
Sunday’s programme will include the “Excitement of Research” (ExOR) sessions for visiting undergraduate students and a faculty roundtable on research funding. The event will conclude with a patent felicitation ceremony recognising IIIT Hyderabad researchers for their innovation and intellectual property contributions.
Organisers said more than 300 industry representatives and students from several colleges are expected to visit the showcase and interact with researchers.
TNT TS
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