The summer breeze of May brought more than warmth to the IIIT-B campus—it carried with it a vibrant spirit of global collaboration, academic excellence, and institutional pride. This month, IIIT-B stood at the crossroads of culture, knowledge, and innovation, becoming a dynamic hub for international exchange and scholarly achievement.
A highlight of the month was Prof. Debabrata Das’s invitation to Rashtrapati Bhavan for an audience with Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. During the meeting, he briefed her on IIIT-B’s pioneering research in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure, AI, and E-Health, and how these innovations are contributing to citizen welfare, national self-reliance, and global progress. Also noteworthy was the much-anticipated Student Exchange Programme with Aivancity School for Technology, Business & Society, Paris-Cachan, France. Our students had the enriching opportunity to travel to France and engage in a thought-provoking short course on “AI and Ethics,” reflecting IIIT-B’s commitment to nurturing globally aware technologists. Simultaneously, we welcomed students from Aivancity to our own campus, where they immersed themselves in Indian academia and participated in a stimulating datathon, exchanging ideas and building lasting cross-cultural bonds.
Our students continued to shine on national and international platforms, with notable victories at the WAVES Summit 2025 and ICCC 2025. These accolades are a testament to the talent, drive, and determination that define the IIIT-B student community.
Meanwhile, our esteemed faculty members added new feathers to the institute’s cap. Recognition poured in as professors were honored with the prestigious Indo-Italian Mobility Grant, the Best Associate Editor Award (2024) by IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology (TCSVT), and a captivating address delivered at TEDx Dayanand Sagar Academy of Technology and Management—further solidifying IIIT-B’s standing as a thought leader in the global academic landscape.
May also marked a time of impactful knowledge-sharing and institutional partnerships. The Centre for Information Technology and Public Policy (CITAPP) hosted a workshop in collaboration with the Government of Victoria’s Office of Trade and Investment, creating a platform for policy innovation and technological insight. Additionally, the ACM India Boot Camp brought together young minds to explore the full spectrum of the AI Development Life Cycle, offering hands-on learning and expert guidance.
We were also delighted to host a group of enthusiastic students from BMS College of Commerce and Management, who visited our campus as part of an educational-cum-industrial tour.
In this edition, our Kannada section—ನವಚಿಂತನ (Navachintana)—delves into the fascinating theme of fandom, questioning how far one should go for their idol, and where admiration begins to blur the lines of practicality. It is a reflective piece that resonates across cultures and generations.
As we step into the second half of the year, the momentum is palpable. IIIT-B continues to be a crucible of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration—where global minds meet local purpose, and each season unfolds new stories of excellence.