Kanpur, 07 December, 2024: The Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (BSBE) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) concluded day one of a three-day Pan-IIT Meeting and Conference on Engineering in Medicine, a key event aimed at fostering collaborations in the healthcare sector. Organized by Prof. Ashok Kumar and Dr. Rakesh Kumar Majhi, with the generous support of The Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation and other Indian funding agencies, this year’s conference focuses on the Healthcare Sector: Regenerative Medicine, Molecular Medicine, and Digital Medicine. The primary objective of the event is to strengthen collaborations among IITs, IISERs, and IISc, all under the Ministry of Education, by addressing grand challenges at the intersection of engineering and medicine through interdisciplinary team science projects.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Ranjan Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with distinguished guests Shri Rahul Mehta, Founder of The Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation; Prof. LS Shashidhara, Director of the National Center for Biological Sciences; and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur. The conference brought together over 300 participants, including 35 Heads of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering departments across India, nearly 60 faculty members from various institutions, 14 eminent international researchers, and over 100 students and postdoctoral fellows.

Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said, “This Pan-IIT Meeting and Conference on Engineering in Medicine highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. This platform brings together brilliant minds from academia and research across the globe, fostering innovation at the intersection of engineering and medicine, paving the way for transformative advancements in regenerative medicine, molecular medicine, and digital medicine to address healthcare challenges.”

Shri Ranjan Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh,said, “The Pan-IIT Meeting and Conference on Engineering in Medicine is a vital step toward addressing the pressing healthcare challenges of our time. It highlights the power of interdisciplinary efforts, encouraging academia and researchers to collaborate with policymakers and practitioners to drive impactful solutions. Such initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing India’s healthcare system and ensuring accessible, high-quality medical advancements for all.”

Shri Rahul Mehta, Founder, The Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundationsaid, “Our foundation is proud to support an event that unites brilliant minds from diverse fields to tackle grand healthcare challenges. The collaborative efforts demonstrated here will undoubtedly lead to transformative advancements, fostering a brighter future for healthcare research and education in India.”

Prof. LS Shashidhara, Director, National Center for Biological Sciences,said, “This conference exemplifies the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex medical challenges. By integrating engineering, biology, and medicine, platforms like these pave the way for groundbreaking solutions and drive India’s progress in the global healthcare landscape.”

The conference serves as a platform for sharing groundbreaking research and discussing collaborative proposals and exchange programs. It also features presentations from 20 postdoctoral researchers who are eager to return to India and establish independent research groups.

The Pan-IIT Meeting and Conference on Engineering in Medicine showcases IIT Kanpur’s focus on advancing interdisciplinary research and promoting collaborations to tackle grand challenges in healthcare. This event marks a significant step toward leveraging engineering innovations to address pressing medical challenges and underscores India’s growing emphasis on advancing the healthcare sector through collaborative efforts.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.