Rourkela, October 16: More than 300 academicians, scientists and research scholars from institutions across India gathered at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela for a two-day conclave aimed at strengthening research partnerships and turning scientific discoveries into practical solutions for sustainable development.
The ANRF–NIT Rourkela Research X Impact Conclave 2026, inaugurated on October 15 under the theme “Synergy for Sustainability,” brought together representatives from academia, industry and research organisations to explore collaborative approaches to pressing social, environmental and economic challenges.
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), attended the inaugural session as chief guest. NIT Rourkela Director Prof K Umamaheshwar Rao, Organising Chair Prof Himanshu Bhushan Sahu and Organising Co-chair Prof Swadesh Kumar Paratihar were among the key participants.
Research Must Deliver Real-World Impact
Addressing the gathering, Kalyanaraman emphasised that scientific research should extend beyond academic publications and laboratory experiments to create tangible benefits for society.
He encouraged researchers to set ambitious scientific goals, work across disciplines and institutions, and collaborate with industry to transform research outcomes into useful technologies, enterprises and practical solutions.
Welcoming participants, Prof Sahu described the conclave as a platform for researchers, industry professionals, faculty members and young scholars to exchange ideas, present innovations and develop long-term partnerships.
He highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing challenges related to agriculture, healthcare, energy, environmental protection and climate resilience.
NIT Rourkela Highlights Opportunities Beyond Established Research Centres
Prof Rao underlined the role that NIT Rourkela and its partner institutions could play in strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Referring to the hub-and-spoke approach under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) framework, he said institutions outside established centres of excellence also possessed significant research talent and potential.
He called for greater opportunities and institutional support to enable National Institutes of Technology and other academic institutions to undertake ambitious research projects and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
30 ANRF Grantees Present Their Work
A major feature of the conclave was the presentation of research projects by 30 ANRF grantees representing different institutions and agencies. The researchers outlined the potential societal applications of their work and received feedback from Kalyanaraman during an interactive session.
The discussions focused on strengthening the connection between scientific research and its practical implementation, with industry representatives expressing interest in supporting research and development initiatives as well as pilot-scale studies.
Industry participants included Madhulika Shukla, CEO of IFFCO eBazar Ltd; Jagannath P Nayak, President and Unit Head of Aditya Aluminium, Hindalco; Dipak Khule, Head of Research and Development at JSW Energy Ltd; and Pradeep Behera, Founder and Managing Director of Thetabeta Algorithms Pvt Ltd.
Their participation highlighted the potential for closer industry–academia engagement in developing technologies that can be tested and applied in real-world settings.
AI Workshop Explores Making Research More Accessible
The conclave also examined how artificial intelligence could help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and the wider public.
Prof P Kumaraguru, Visiting Scientist at ANRF, conducted a workshop on democratising research across multiple languages using SARAL AI. The session explored the potential of AI tools to make scientific findings easier to access and understand among diverse audiences.
Researchers and scholars also presented posters under four thematic areas: Sustainable Agriculture, Healthcare and Medical Technologies, Energy Technologies, and Environmental Sustainability. Awards were presented for the best posters in each category.
Building Partnerships for Sustainable Development
The event’s activities were coordinated by theme leads and co-leads, including Prof Shantanu Behera, Prof Pankaj Sa, Prof Devendra Verma, Prof Harekrushna Sahoo, Prof Sk Md Equeenuddin, Prof Pravat Ray, Prof Binod Bihari Sahu and Prof Partha Saha.
By bringing researchers and industry representatives onto a common platform, the conclave sought to strengthen research networks, encourage collaborative projects and accelerate the practical application of scientific knowledge.
The discussions underscored a central message: addressing complex sustainability challenges will require not only scientific advances but also stronger partnerships capable of translating research into solutions that benefit communities and support long-term development.
