IIT-K hosts Army commander to forge new path for Army-academia collaboration

Lucknow: Building bridges between the Army and academia, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, welcomed Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, for a day-long engagement with the institute's research community. The visit aimed to foster a dialogue between academia and the Army, exploring ways to leverage academic advances for national security.Lieutenant General Sengupta praised IIT Kanpur's research and innovation in areas critical to national defence, highlighting the potential of collaborations to strengthen indigenous technological capabilities. He emphasized that joint efforts can effectively address real security challenges. "It is encouraging to see the depth of research and innovation emerging from IIT Kanpur in areas of critical importance to national defence. Collaborations like these hold immense promise for strengthening our indigenous technological capabilities.By working together, we can address real security challenges," he said.During his visit, he toured key research centers at IIT-K, including the C3i Hub, Center for Developing Intelligent Systems, Helicopter and VTOL Lab, and UAV Lab. The visit marked a significant step towards building bridges between the Army and academia, with a shared resolve to work together for the nation's benefit.Prof. Manindra Agarwal, IIT-K director said: "It is an honour to welcome Lieutenant General Sengupta and the Central Command team to our campus. In recent years, IIT-K has been involved in cutting-edge translational research in deep-tech areas such as intelligent systems, cybersecurity, drones, and robotics that are crucial in the defence sector. We believe in bridging fundamental research with real-world applications.Today's visit highlights the opportunities that lie ahead. By fostering regular dialogue and joint projects, we can ensure that the innovations translate into real-world solutions to strengthen India's defence capabilities."