IIT-Mandi hosts conclave to enhance industry-academia collaboration
IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation successfully launched the second edition of its flagship conclave, HIVE 2.0, today at IIT Mandi campus at Kamand.
The event, aimed at promoting translational research and enhancing industry-academia collaborations, attracted leading professionals from academia, industry, startups and government sectors. It focused on fostering collaboration, aligning research with real-world needs and exploring innovations in human-computer interaction (HCI).
The conclave covered key themes such as assistive technologies, device-led technologies, experience technologies and generative AI-led design technologies.
Rajesh Dharmani, Minister of Town and Country Planning, Housing, Technical Education, Vocational and Industrial Training, Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the event and a new skill development hub at IIT Mandi.
He emphasised the government's commitment to fostering innovation and skill development to create a tech-savvy workforce for Himachal Pradesh and the nation.
Rakhil Kahlon, Secretary, Department of Digital Technologies and Governance, Himachal Pradesh, highlighted the state's digital transformation, focusing on advancements in drone technology, AI and semiconductor manufacturing. She expressed the importance of platforms like HIVE 2.0 in promoting industry-academia collaboration to fuel innovation and economic growth.
During the inaugural address, Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, and Somjit Amrit, CEO of IIT Mandi iHub, stressed the significance of bridging industry challenges with academic research to accelerate healthcare and technological innovations.
A major highlight of HIVE 2.0 was the research-industry dialogues, which addressed the "Valley of Death" in technology development, from early-stage research to commercialisation. The discussions emphasised bridging gaps, aligning proof-of-concept research with industry needs and addressing intellectual property issues.
The event also featured panel discussions on topics like generative AI on edge, humanoid robotics, and ISRO’s sponsored research opportunities. Over 100 startups participated, with 15 showcasing innovative solutions in areas such as AI-driven dementia diagnosis and multisensory digital experiences.
Other prominent speakers included experts from organisations like ISRO, PGI Chandigarh, Qualcomm, Samsung and international companies like Rovial Space and iFeelWell.
Prof Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury of IIT Mandi iHub highlighted the institute’s advancements in health technology such as AI-driven diagnostics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
HIVE 2.0 successfully underscored the importance of strong industry-academia partnerships, laying the groundwork for long-term collaborations to address global challenges through cutting-edge research and technology.
