Marching into Spring with Stories that Bloom
At IIIT-B, every month tells a story — the March chapter is dedicated to the voices of women, the brilliance of minds in motion, and milestones that matter. March echoes the song of spring and with it arrives International Women’s Day, a moment to pause and celebrate the power, potential, and perseverance of women around the world — and right here within our own community.
This Women’s Special Edition of Naviiina is dedicated to the many shades of womanhood. We bring you stories that reflect the courage to challenge stereotypes, the strength to rise above struggles, and the brilliance of achievements — big and small.
But March brought many more achievements for IIIT-B. A proud moment for the institute came as Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-B, delivered a powerful inaugural address at the MOSIP Connect conference in Manila, joining over 550 global attendees and over 110 leading tech companies.
Meanwhile, Prof. Meenakshi D’Souza brought further pride to the campus, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Computing Education (OCCE) Award 2024 from ACM India — a truly well-deserved honor!
It was also buzzing with visits from eminent guests and global collaborations. We were honored to host:
- Delegates from leading Japanese semiconductor companies, opening doors for future innovation.
- Representatives from Karmayogi Bharat, who signed a significant MoU with COSS.
- Students and faculty from BIT, exploring the exciting world of our AI/ML labs.
In a deeply reflective session, Acharya Prashant, Vedanta scholar, visited IIIT-B and interacted with students on themes of life, work, learning, and spiritual clarity — sparking many introspective conversations on campus.
Another feather in the cap was the inauguration of the Accessible Resource Centre (ARC) — a CSR initiative by BGSW in collaboration with Vision Empower (VE) and the Centre for Accessibility in the Global South (CAGS) at IIIT-B. This centre aims to support visually impaired students (Grades K-10), especially in STEM education — an inspiring step toward inclusivity and equal learning opportunities.
Of course, International Women’s Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and reflection, graced by the presence of Ms. Suma Narasa Prakash as Chief Guest. A thought-provoking panel discussion brought together voices from our staff, students, and faculty — sharing perspectives, challenges, and hopes for a more inclusive future. This edition inwards Naviiina takes a vibrant step forward—this special edition marks the beginning of Kannada contributions, led by Ms. Swathi’s engaging article.
As we step into this vibrant season, we invite you to turn the pages of Naviiina and walk with us through stories that matter — stories of growth, of grit, and of grace.
Here’s to spring, strength, and stories that inspire.
Happy Reading!