Workshop on 6G Technology, Standards, Regulation and Ethics
IIIT-Bangalore hosted an insightful workshop focused on the upcoming frontier of communication technology: 6G. Titled “Workshop on 6G Technology, Standards, Regulation and Ethics,” the event aimed to explore the potential, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding the development and implementation of 6G technology.
February 5
IAF Training Program
Our Director Prof. Debabrata Das inaugurated the 1st cohort of Indian Air Force officers on 5 February. Fifteen IAF officers will be trained by esteemed professors from IIIT-Bangalore on Fundamentals of Communication Theory and DSP for SDR Waveform Generation for a total of 90 hours.
February 5
Inauguration of COMET Lab
IIIT-B COMET Foundation inaugurated a new lab which will serve as a training room to upskill students and professionals on various aspects of Advanced Communication Systems (ACS). COMET aims to not only lead the country’s tech rally towards a flourishing domestic telecom OEM sector, but also to train the future generations of telecom engineers who will take the nation to greater heights. Since inauguration, the lab is being used by IIIT-B faculty to train officers of the Indian Air Force in Wireless Communication systems.
February 8
CITAPP’s Symposium and Unveiling of itihaasa Research and Digital Survey Report
The Centre for IT and Public Policy (CITAPP) at IIIT-Bangalore organized a symposium titled “Emerging Opportunities and Challenges in the Digital Society”. The event comprised an overview of CITAPP’s research and outreach endeavors, the release of the Digital Society survey report by itihaasa Research and Digital, and a panel discussion on current opportunities and challenges.
Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys, Chairman of IIIT-B and Founder of itihaasa Research and Digital, highlighted the profound growth of India’s digital society since the introduction of its first computer in the mid-1950s. The India Digital Society Survey, focusing on Bengaluru, sought to provide a clearer understanding of this evolution by examining people’s experiences and beliefs concerning digital technologies. The comprehensive report, unveiled by Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan and Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-B, synthesized responses from over 1800 individuals across diverse socio-economic categories.
Following the report launch, there was a panel discussion consisting Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy from the National Law School of India University Bangalore, Prof. Rajalaxmi Kamath from the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, and the report authors, Dr. N. Dayasindhu and Mr. Krishnan Narayanan. Moderated by Prof. Balaji Parthasarathy of IIIT-B.
IIIT-B also unveiled a new one-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma program in Digital Product Design and Management, scheduled to commence in July 2024. Designed to equip students with the requisite skills and knowledge for developing products tailored to underserved market segments, the program aligns with IIIT-B’s commitment to addressing the evolving interaction between digital technologies and diverse social contexts. Prof. Debabrata Das highlighted the institute’s dedication to impactful research and innovative educational offerings within the Digital Society domain, anticipating that the new program would further enrich IIIT-B’s educational portfolio.
February 14
Training session on Financial Planning and Management
Mr. Adietya K Chopra, Founder & CEO, AKC Capital conducted a session at IIIT-Bangalore. The session offered the staff and faculty with essential insights into navigating the intricacies of financial management.
Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, attendees gained invaluable perspectives on budgeting, investment strategies, and prudent financial decision-making. His guidance instilled a deeper understanding of financial planning and management principles.
February 14
Basant Panchami
On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, a pooja was offered to the Knowledge Goddess, Saraswati. The ceremony took place in the esteemed presence of our Director, Prof. Debabrata Das, Registrar Commodore SR Sridhar (Retd), CFO Mr. S. Piramanayagam, CAO Mr. Jagadish Patil, alongside faculty, staff and students, symbolizing our collective reverence for wisdom and learning.
February 14
Best Cluster’s Innovative Solutions for Mega-Regional Mobility at IIIT-Bangalore
IIIT-Bangalore, Bengaluru Science and Technology (Best) Cluster, in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India convened a gathering of visionaries and experts to tackle Bengaluru’s mobility challenges. Led by Prof Abdul Pinjari from IISc Bangalore and Prof Srinath Srinivasa from IIIT-Bangalore, stakeholders explored the concept of a megaregion around Bengaluru, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and drive economic growth. Discussions centered on integrating various modes of transportation and developing new townships to distribute economic growth. The event also showcased the Best Cluster’s commitment to innovation through collaborative projects like “One Health Bengaluru city model” and “Bengaluru Quantum Technology Initiative.” Stakeholders are invited to join the vision committee and contribute to the detailed roadmap for designing the megaregion, fostering collaboration and innovation for long-term societal benefit.
February 15
Inauguration of Staying facilities for Mess staff
On February 15 our Director, Prof. Debabrata Das, inaugurated new staying facilities for the mess staff. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing the well-being and convenience of the essential personnel who contribute to the smooth functioning of the institute’s mess facilities.
February 16-18
Infin8
IIIT-Bangalore dove headfirst into three days of non-stop fun and excitement with Infin8, their much-anticipated annual fest. Packed with vibrant shows, competitions, games and food stalls, it was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Talented artists from across India showcased their skills, turning the event into a thrilling spectacle. What’s more, students from other colleges in Bangalore joined in the fun, making Infin8 a true celebration of creativity. From theatre to solo and group dance performances, singing and even mobile game competitions, there was something for everyone.
Highlights included Nukkad Naatak, a platform for compelling performances addressing societal issues, Symmetry, a photo competition, Clash Royale, an ESports event and Battle of Bands, where music enthusiasts battled it out for glory. Food stalls satisfied the hunger of both IIIT-B students and visitors alike. Once again, Infin8 left a lasting impression, making it a memorable event for all.
February 22
Talk by Mr. Bob McCowan
Mr. Bob McCowan, the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Regeneron, shared his expertise in big data, innovation and strategic IT investments during an enlightening presentation on Data Protection in AI Adoption at IIIT-Bangalore. Engaged students benefited from valuable insights into the crucial intersection of data protection and the adoption of AI technologies.
February 22-24
ISEC 2024
IIIT-Bangalore wrapped up the 17th edition of the Innovations in Software Engineering Conference (ISEC 2024) held from 22-24 February. Formerly known as the India Software Engineering Conference, ISEC is the flagship annual event of iSOFT, the India chapter of ACM SIGSOFT, under the esteemed umbrella of ACM India.
Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-Bangalore, highlighted the significance of ISEC 2024, emphasizing its role in showcasing the remarkable progress in software engineering and fostering potential collaborations and recruitments in the field. As General Chair of ISEC 2024, Prof. Sujit Chakrabarti highlighted the conference’s relevance in addressing classical SE problems using emerging technologies like language models, generative AI, and ML. He noted the conference’s diverse representation from academia and industry, covering both applied and fundamental topics in software engineering.
Prof. K. V. Raghavan (IISc) and Dr. Raveendra Medicherla (TCS Research) served as the organising co-chairs, curating an engaging lineup of invited speakers, including Prof. Abhik Roychoudhury, Dr. Akash Lal, and Dr. Alessandra Gorla, who delivered keynote talks. ISEC 2024 marked IIIT-B’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in software engineering, leaving participants with fresh insights, renewed inspiration, and strengthened connections to drive future advancements in the field.
February 28
Talk by Mr. Divy Thakkar
At IIIT-Bangalore, Mr. Divy Thakkar, Program Manager at Google, revealed two groundbreaking projects showcasing AI’s profound impact on team collaboration. These innovations illuminate AI’s transformative potential, from optimizing communication to igniting innovation, heralding a new era in teamwork dynamics.
February 29
Inauguration of Electric Charging Stations
Yet another addition to IIIT-Bangalore’s commitment to sustainability through its dedication to eco-friendly initiatives. In line with this ethos, the institute has installed BOLT.EARTH electric vehicle charging stations on its premises, reflecting a response to the increasing adoption of green vehicles. The inauguration of these stations by our Director, Prof. Debabrata Das, alongside Registrar, Commodore SR Sridhar (Retd), CAO, Mr. Jagadish Patil, CFO Mr. S. Piramanayagam, faculty and staff members marks a significant step towards promoting sustainable transportation. The charging station comprises three Bolt Lite 3.3KW charging points with a versatile 3-pin universal socket, catering to both two and four-wheeler vehicles. Additionally, a Level 2, 7.5 KW charging point equipped with a charging gun is available for four-wheeler vehicles, further enhancing the accessibility and convenience of electric vehicle charging.
Key features of Bolt.Earth Lite charging stations include:
- AC Slow Charging Stations (220-240V)
- QR Code Authentication for seamless user access
- Compatibility with BLE/4G/Wi-Fi networks
- Equipped with a 3-pin universal socket for versatile charging options
- Red push-button for quick Start/Stop functionality
- Support for UPI and other instant payment modes
- Compatibility with 2W, 3W and 4W
