The vision is to commit towards working together to make India a global leader; say experts during ARISE 2024

• 24 researchers from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, acknowledged as among the top 2% scientists globally, awarded during the AIRA ceremony
•  The four-day symposium on Innovation, Research, and Excellence served as a catalyst for innovative solutions to global challenges, focusing on pivotal subjects including One Health, Ecosystem Restoration, Information intelligence & immersion and Education for Life

10 January 2024 – Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, ranked among the top 10 universities in India according to NIRF 2023, organized the Amrita Research & Innovation Symposium for Excellence (ARISE) 2024. The four-day symposium evolved into a dynamic platform, acting as a driving force for creative solutions to worldwide issues. Experts focused on key topics such as One Health, Ecosystem Restoration, Information Intelligence & Immersion, Disaster Resilience, Empowered Organizational Systems, Value-Based Education & Indic Studies, Ubiquitous Artificial Intelligence, and inclusivity, among others.

The event witnessed special address by the Guests of Honour Dr. Venu Govindaraju, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, SUNY Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo, USA and Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Govt. of India, in the presence of Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Keynote sessions on various pressing subjects were addressed by dignitaries, including Dr. Shankar Venugopal, Vice President, Mahindra & Mahindra; Dr. Ranjith Krishna Pai, Scientist & Senior Director, CEST Division, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India; and Dr. Anand Madanagopal, Founder & CEO, Cardiac Design Labs.

Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India said, “The depth of knowledge in science and technology, coupled with compassion, is essential. India has made significant progress, ranking globally in communication, startups, and publication excellence. The National Research Foundation will boost research funding tenfold, supporting innovation and translational research. Multidisciplinary collaboration aligns with the evolving national education policy. This initiative aims to bring industry into the research system, fostering international collaboration for societal gains. The vision is clear: work together to make India a global leader, and I commit to providing full support.”

In her keynote address, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham underscored the intrinsic potential within every individual. “For living, we may need a job, money, a home, a car, and other creature comforts. However, these alone fail to make life complete. For that, we need love, compassion, tenderness—a heart that knows and responds to the pain of others. We need broadmindedness and maturity in thought and action. Education should spread light within and without and equally develop discernment and contemplation. It should develop the curiosity to know the internal world just as much as it does to know the external world. Education should teach us to keep our inner eye open just as much as our external eyes,” she passionately expressed, emphasizing the role of education in unlocking this potential and fostering a deep connection with nature. Her inspiring words set the tone for the symposium, urging attendees to explore and utilize their unique capabilities for the betterment of society.

Emphasizing the significance of collaborative research, Dr. Venu Govindaraju, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, SUNY Distinguished Professor, University at Buffalo, USA said, “As dedicated researchers, we bridge disciplines to address grand challenges, envisioning a world where science and ethics illuminate sustainable energy, and engineering collaborates with social work on prosthetics. The AI revolution challenges our definition of intelligence, urging us to harness this power responsibly. Let’s guide machines with ethical practices, amplifying human strengths for impactful tasks. The next four days at ARISE 2024 are a crucible for inspired exchanges, innovation, and well-being. As we connect, dissect breakthroughs, and build camaraderie, let’s innovate not just for knowledge but for all lives.”

Dr. Upendra Kumar Singh, Director General – Life Sciences, Defense Research and Development Organization, Govt. of India, shared insights, “In the global landscape, the significance of diverse cultures is crucial. Escalations arise from misperceptions, intensifying the complexity over the next two decades. Human perceptions shape the contested environment, especially in the military domain. Pentagon officials emphasize the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous robots on global military dominance. They predict a shift from nuclear weapons to AI-driven combat roles. Nations like China and India have strategic plans for AI development. The broader implications extend to healthcare, education, and industrial sectors, driving economic expansion. AI’s role in information processing, adaptive learning, and predictive capabilities underscores its profound influence. Global IT investment, reaching $5.1 billion in 2023, allocates $150 billion to AI. The accelerating pace of AI development shapes decisions and fosters economic growth.”

Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh, Provost, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham highlighted, “In just two decades, Amrita has become a leading global institution and our impactful research is supported by over Rs. 300 crores in funding, recognized by government and industrial agencies globally. With a dynamic research community, we’ve produced 17,500+ high-quality publications, and 24 faculty members rank among the worlds’ top 2% by Stanford University. The university aims to merge these streams into a powerful river, alleviating suffering, and nurturing life for humanity, in alignment with Amma’s vision of Education for Life rooted in love and compassion.”

The event featured the recognition and honouring of 24 researchers from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, acknowledged as among the top 2% scientists globally, during Amrita Innovation & Research Awards ceremony by the guests of honour. The symposium showcased a diverse range of activities, including workshops, exhibitions, poster sessions, cultural programs, and engaging panel discussions. The keynote sessions revolved around crucial topics such as Innovations Driving the Future of Mobility, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Future of Circular Economy, Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence for Global Challenges, Green Data Analytics of Supercomputing from Massive Sensor Networks, Digital Revival of the Knowledge Heritage of India, National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), Sanatana Dharma, and more.