HIVE Conclave Witness Healthy Blend Of Participation From Research & Industry Professionals

IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation concluded the first edition of its flagship “HIVE Conclave” held at Hotel Pride Plaza, New Delhi on Saturday. The event marked a pioneering milestone in fostering collaboration and convergence between researchers and industry professionals in India. 

The event, the first of its kind in the country, witnessed enthusiastic participation from an array of researchers and industry professionals and successfully achieved its goal of enabling the ideal convergence between research and industry to address real-life problems through the aid of technology.

The event witnessed a series of insightful discussions, presentations, and talks from eminent personalities from across sectors like industry, research, and Government. It further provided an effective platform for researchers and industry to gain a deeper understanding of market realities and needs. 

Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Sr. Advisor, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Secretary of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), was present as the chief guest at the conclave, said, “In public-private-partnership programs implemented across India in the recent years, the industry has always been playing a supporting role, whereas the majority of these initiatives were led by academia. However, it should go the other way around to be successful and impactful – it’s important for today’s startups and other industry players to take the lead in terms of creating innovation and impact."

The theme of the conclave was “Leading through Problem Statement: Following it with Solution Pitch!” The association between the research community and the industry professionals showcased the potential for mutual support, alignment, and collaboration which could lead to accelerated and meaningful outcomes, in turn contributing positively towards the socio-economic progress of our nation.

The Inaugural Address by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, on November 18th, marked the official commencement of the event; he congratulated IIT Mandi iHub for its Skill Development Program which is not only focusing on skilling but ensuring employment after skill training. Prof. Behera further shared, “IIT Mandi is at the forefront of Human-Computer Interaction, with numerous exciting developments underway. Our focus extends beyond theoretical research to tangible marketable products. In collaboration with a consortium of researchers, we are driving four grand projects, including an innovative artificial scheme, a bio-manufacturing initiative for printable food, and the crucial development of a Made-in-India air ambulance. These projects showcase our commitment to addressing real-world challenges."

The event also featured a series of impactful addresses and talks, including a Keynote Address by Prof. M Balakrishnan, IIT Delhi, focusing on the “simplicity fostered by user-centric designs”. The HIVE Conclave also showcased numerous innovative presentations and case studies, covering groundbreaking topics.  

IT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH), working with the vision of becoming an internationally recognised hub that nurtures HCI research, enables technology translation for industry, and scales skill development.