June 4-5
In celebration of World Environment Day, IIIT-B organized a plantation drive at HSR Layout, Bengaluru, in Sudarvana Urban Forest. The location of the plantation drive was an erstwhile dump yard, which for years housed waste from neighboring localities. Thanks to the persistent efforts of local citizens and the Jeevanmukthi Foundation Charitable Trust, the area has been reclaimed to develop into a green urban forest. The event marked a significant milestone in this journey, as IIIT-B planted 50 saplings to contribute to the growing green cover. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Jeevanmukthi Foundation Charitable Trust, founded by Ms. Rupa, which has played a pivotal role in citizen-led environmental drives, including the revival of the Sundarvana Forest in HSR Layout. Prof. Debabrata Das, Director IIIT-B along with other senior officials, staff, and students from IIIT-B participated enthusiastically in the plantation drive, reinforcing the institute’s deep-rooted ethos of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
To further raise awareness about environmental concerns, an insightful session was conducted by Ms. Suma Narasa Prakash, a pioneering woman in technology, Senior Software Engineer at Oracle, Founder of S.A.V.E. (Serve And Value Every Life), and a key contributor to the development of Aadhaar QR Code Technology. The session was well-attended and offered participants a deep understanding of the growing threats to our planet, the alarming rise in pollution levels, and practical steps each of us can take to protect and preserve the environment.
June 9-13
The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024–25 Boot Camp was successfully hosted at IIIT-BangaloreThe event concluded with a vibrant grand finale, marking the culmination of an inspiring and transformative five-day journey of innovation, learning, and collaboration
Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and implemented by Assistech Foundation, this edition of the Challenge focused on fostering entrepreneurial solutions that advance the well-being and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The top 18 startups, shortlisted from across the country through the National Innovation Dialogue, were invited to participate in an intensive, hands-on Bootcamp hosted at IIIT-B. The Bootcamp offered deep-dive learning sessions, mentorship by industry experts, strategic business planning, and networking opportunities to refine and scale their solutions. On the final day of the Bootcamp, the top six startups were awarded seed grants to support their journey forward. The winners of the Challenge were:
- Translead Medtech
- Mediqor Aid Technologies
- NEMA AI
The runner-up startups included:
- Infiheal Healthtech
- Zeliang Codetech
- Signsetu
These promising ventures will continue to receive support through the Youth Co:Lab Springboard Programme, which includes skill-building sessions, mentorship, and peer-learning opportunities designed to help them grow sustainably and make a measurable impact in the lives of PwDs.
June 11
IIITB COMET Foundation, successfully launched the ‘Future Wireless Communications’ course at IIIT-B campus. The initiative aims to bridge the industry-academia skill gap by training Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) graduates for high-demand roles in the rapidly growing telecom and wireless technology sectors.
This comprehensive, three-module program has been specifically designed to make students job-ready by providing hands-on exposure to the latest developments in wireless communication technologies. A highlight of the program is its focus on inclusivity—welcoming students from engineering colleges across Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions of South India.
The course prepares students for diverse career opportunities in:
- Telecom companies
- Software firms specializing in wireless and 5G technologies
- Hardware manufacturing firms
- Allied technology sectors
The program is expected to significantly contribute to building a future-ready workforce in India’s telecom ecosystem while opening up lucrative career pathways for students from underserved regions.
This initiative reflects IIIT-B’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity in technical education.
June 17-18
The closing ceremony of the Soapstone Fellowship for the Deaf 2024–25, organized by Hear A Million under the initiative of EnAble India and co-hosted by IIIT-B, was held on 17–18 June 2025. The two-day event featured vibrant Pecha Kucha-style presentations by fellows, showcasing their learnings, personal growth, and community initiatives. Reflections from SPOCs (Single Points of Contact) Dr.Sibaji Panda, the Director of Happy Hands School for the Deaf, Odisha, Rahul Jain, the CEO of Yunikee, Hyderabad and Hardeep Singh, the Inclusion Coordinator and Designer from Museum of Art & Photography – partner organizations highlighted the valuable contributions fellows made during their internships. The event marked a powerful conclusion to a 10-month journey of leadership development, knowledge exchange, and Deaf-led impact across India.
June 19
A training session on Online Security was conducted by Prof. Shrisha Rao, Dean Faculty, for all non-teaching staff members. The session was both informative and practical, offering valuable insights into staying safe in the digital world. Prof. Rao highlighted key strategies to identify and avoid online threats, and shared best practices for protecting personal and organizational data. The session enhanced staff awareness about cybersecurity and encouraged responsible online behavior.
June 25
In observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, an awareness session was organized at IIIT-Bangalore to educate and engage the campus community on the dangers of substance abuse. The session was conducted by Ms. Aishwarya, Psychologist, who shared valuable insights on the psychological and social impact of drug use and strategies for prevention. The interactive session played a significant role in promoting the message of a drug-free society and sensitizing participants to the harmful consequences of drug abuse.