Dhanbad: The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad (IIT-ISM) is set to celebrate its historic centenary with the launch of two groundbreaking research initiatives: SEER and Bioscopy.
These projects, a result of a landmark collaboration between IIT-ISM, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, and the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), are expected to make significant contributions to global research and innovation.
The formal launch will take place on January 13, 2025, at IIT-ISM’s administrative block, with key attendees including distinguished academics and researchers from around the world. Notable figures such as Professor Dilip Prasad, Prof. Krishna Agarwal, Biswajoy Ghosh, Yi Huang, Farhad Niknam, Lars Sørensen, and Florian Ströhl from UiT in Tromsø, Norway, will be present.
Indian researchers Dr. Nirmal Goswami and Dr. B.P. Bagh from IMT Bhubaneswar, along with IIT-ISM senior leadership including Director Professor Sukumar Mishra, Deputy Director Dheeraj Kumar, Professor R.M. Bhattacharjee, and Professor Tanmoy Maity, will also attend. The Norwegian Minister of External Affairs is expected to join the event virtually.
The Bioscopy project, which seeks to advance education and research in the field of microscopy, has been funded through the Indo-Norwegian Cooperation Programme Grant for Higher Education and Research. This initiative, supported by Norway’s Directorate for Higher Education and Skills and India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), is led by Prof. Krishna Agarwal of UiT as Principal Investigator, with Professor Biswajit Chowdhury from IIT-ISM serving as Co-Principal Investigator.
Meanwhile, the SEER project, spearheaded by Professor Dilip K. Prasad of UiT’s Department of Computer Science, is dedicated to training students and young researchers in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Earth observation. This project aims to empower participants to monitor environmental changes and address pressing climate challenges.
Professor R.M. Bhattacharjee, Dean of International Relations & Alumni Affairs at IIT-ISM, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “As part of our centenary celebrations, this partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding IIT-ISM’s global research presence. The SEER and Bioscopy projects will not only strengthen academic ties with UiT Norway but also open new doors in education, mobility, and research innovation.”
The projects unite a diverse range of esteemed partners, including Norinnova, AcSIR India, and top-tier researchers, with a shared focus on advancing climate monitoring, sustainability research, and modern educational models through interdisciplinary collaboration.
With their emphasis on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address global scientific challenges, the SEER and Bioscopy initiatives underscore the critical importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of education and research. The launch at IIT-ISM Dhanbad marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in global academic collaboration and innovation.
