Bhubaneswar: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar-based Charitable Trust Rabisons Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote use of artificial intelligence (AI), high performance computing (HPC) and other technologies in several areas.
Rabisons Foundation will provide a funding of Rs 25 crore in the fiscal 2024-25 to the AI and HPC Research Centre (AHRC), IIT Bhubaneswar, for the planned activities and setting up of a Scholarship Fund.
Among those present included Trustee of Rabisons Foundation and Donor Saroj Kumar Patnaik, BoG member Satyabrata Panda and IIT Bhubaneswar Director Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, who facilitated the donor’s connection to AHRC, and AHRC Centre Director Prof. Ashwini Nanda.
Patnaik hoped that the fund will help bring the benefits of technology research to the society and promote education and research for uplifting underprivileged sections.
Panda stated this is only a starting point and wished that one day IIT Bhubaneswar will count among the best institutes of the world.
Prof. Karmalkar said that the institute is vigorously pursuing all areas — generation, dissemination and application of knowledge, wealth generation and development of outstanding teachers.
Scope of work supported by Rabisons Foundation at AHRC will encompass:
* Advancement in research & development, innovation, entrepreneurship, services and products involving the use of AI, HPC and other technologies. The target application areas will include healthcare, agriculture, assistive technologies, smart cities, green energy, art/culture/heritage, infrastructure, business, finance and any other areas of social or economic importance.
* Setting up a permanent Fund namely ‘Rabisons Foundation-AHRC Scholarship’ the interest from which shall be used for granting scholarships to 8 to 10 economically challenged regular and meritorious students of IIT Bhubaneswar in various streams.