Science Education – The KGP Chronicle

Following the mandate of National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, Institute Chair Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur, has developed one new course on “Robotics and Artificial Intelligence” of 11 hours duration in Regional Language (Bengali) for the School Children starting from Class-9 to Class-12, with the initiative of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Belur Math.

Recently awarded the Fellowship of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) and presented the Fellowship Certificate in the Induction Ceremony held as a part of the Annual General Meeting of Fellows on 11th December 2023 at SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Dr. Pratihar developed this online course on Robotics & Artificial Intelligence for School Children in Regional Language i.e. Bengali with the initiative of Vivekdisha , an ICT-based Network of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Belur Math. In future, initiatives will be taken by the RKMVERI, Belur Math, to translate this course to various Regional Languages across the country.

Watch the course live on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiuTvXtM4PTZ0MnbdgqZ0q3XXKCryibsJ

Prof. D K Pratihaar remarked, “This innovative course has already been started, and the students are enjoying and learning from it. With the recent advancements in technological transformations, we cannot only rely on what was once taught to us in terms of science education. Today the students need to be updated with the emerging technology that changes the way we have addressed the rising challenges of the world. The scope for Artificial Intelligence is vast in this technology driven world and the expertise of knowing its applications will be up for grabs in the recent future.”

VASVIK Award 2022 in Mechanical & Structural Sciences & Technology

Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, has received the prestigious Vividhlaxi Audyogik Samshodhan Vikas Kendra (VASVIK) Award 2022, for his notable contributions in Industrial Research, in the field of Mechanical & Structural Sciences & Technology, during its 50th year of celebration held on 19th January 2024 in Mumbai. His significant contributions in Industrial Research include Root causes of failure analysis of Gas Turbine Unit, Pigtail Analysis, Optimal design of Leaf Spring for the heavy vehicles, Root causes of failure analysis of multi-stage Centrifugal Pump, and others, in which the fundamentals of Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Combustion, Principle of Gas Turbine, Gas Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Machine Design, and others have been used. He also carries out fundamental research on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and others, extensively.

This Award is generally given to one person in one year from each of the 10 fields. This time, the VASVIK Award was presented by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar; Prof. M.M. Sharma; Dr. Mohan I. Patel, the Founder of this Award; Mr. Nayan Patel, Director, VASVIK, Prof. A. Pandit, and others.

The Video of the Award Ceremony is available in the You-tube Link: https://youtu.be/YWEcdTbCQNQ

Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur

He has been awarded the “Technologist of the Year,” one of the most prestigious IEEE India Council Award, for his pioneering contributions to the fundamentals and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Prof. Pratihar made significant contributions in design and development of intelligent autonomous systems in various fields of Engineering Science namely robotics, manufacturing science and others. He has proposed adaptive motion planning schemes for intelligent robots using the principle of soft computing, whose performances have been tested on real robots. In relation to automation in manufacturing processes, he has developed expert systems using soft computing to establish their input-output relationships both in forward and reverse directions. He is also the founder of Soft Computing Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Centre for Excellence in Robotics.

Inputs by: Prof. D K Pratihar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
Email: dkpra@mech.iitkgp.ac.in

By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

Rural Science Education Training Utility Program (RuSETUP) Workshop on Molecular Biology Techniques in Rural Areas

In the pursuit of promoting basic scientific knowledge in molecular biology and enhancing the educational landscape in rural West Bengal, India, a workshop on, “Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” was successfully conducted on the 6th and 7th of October 2023 jointly by School of Medical Science and Technology (SMST), IIT Kharagpur and Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) under the banner of INYAS’ flagship event “Rural Science Education Training Utility Program’ (RuSETUP).

This endeavor was led by Dr. Budhaditya Mukherjee and Dr. Nishant Chakravorty, faculty members of SMST and Members of INYAS and supported by all INYAS East Zone members. The workshop was attended by 14 college teachers hailing from various institutions of Paschim Medinipur, including Hijli College, Kharagpur College, Medinipur College, K.D. College of Commerce and General Studies, and Vidyasagar Institute of Health.

The RuSETUP workshop was designed to address a pressing issue in rural education – the lack of access to cutting-edge knowledge and technologies in molecular biology. In an era where this field rapidly evolves and impacts diverse sectors such as biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture, it is imperative that educators are equipped with the latest insights and tools. Recognizing this, the workshop comprised a meticulously crafted agenda, blending theory and hands-on training, ensuring that participants gained practical experience in essential molecular biology techniques.

The workshop was inaugurated with motivating words by Dr. Rajendra Singh Dhaka, Chair, INYAS and Prof. Soumen Das, Chairperson, SMST & Officiating Dean, BCRMMRC. The events encompassed a series of enriching activities, including engaging lectures and hands-on training by SMST faculty and student volunteers Shatarupa Bhattacharya, Debolina Manna, Supratim Pradhan, Souradipa Ghosh, Subhangi Chakraborty and Mandrita Mukherjee.

The core of the workshop was in the hands-on training sessions. Participants actively engaged in practices like Plasmid DNA isolation, Genomic DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Agarose gel electrophoresis. These skills are pivotal for scientific exploration and were tailored to empower college teachers with the practical knowledge to enrich their teaching methods. Dr. Praphulla Chandra Shukla, Assistant Professor, SMST concluded the proceedings of the workshop on the second day. The participants highly valued the workshop and expressed a strong desire for additional workshops. They also requested opportunities for students from rural colleges to directly participate in events like these.

The impacts of this workshop reach far beyond its immediate audience. By equipping these dedicated educators with advanced molecular biology techniques, RuSETUP ensures a ripple effect, ultimately benefitting the students they teach. As they return to their respective colleges, they will be armed with the latest knowledge and practical skills, thereby enhancing the quality of science education in rural areas.

By nurturing an interest in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture at the grassroots level, RuSETUP indirectly contributes to the development of the entire region. This growth not only creates a knowledgeable workforce but also ignites the spark of curiosity in the young minds, encouraging them to pursue higher studies and research in these critical domains.

This RuSETUP workshop on,”Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” marks a success in the realm of rural science education and exemplifies the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision to uplift educational standards in underserved communities. The event has illuminated a path towards a brighter, more scientifically enriched future for all.

Inputs by: Prof. Nishant Chakravorty, School of Medical Science &Technology, IIT Kharagpur
Email : nishant@smst.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/