IIIT Hyderabad hosted its Annual R&D Showcase on March 12, 2022, with the theme “Tech-Away: Accelerating the Future.” This year’s event spotlighted emerging trends influenced by the pandemic, introducing a hybrid model to accommodate both in-person and virtual participation, including access through the Metaverse.
The showcase provided a dynamic platform for students to present their research physically for the first time since the onset of COVID-19. Attendees could engage with the event through physical exhibits, virtual platforms, and immersive Metaverse experiences.
The event featured a range of activities, including roundtables on Quantum Science & Technology and Cyber Physical Convergence, along with research pitches and startup demos. Over 600 research posters, demos, and models from IIIT-H’s 28 research centers were showcased. The inaugural keynote was delivered by Vinod K. Nandicoori, Director of CCMB, who emphasized the significance of research in today’s world.
Reflecting on the event, Prof. P.J. Narayanan remarked, “After a disrupted showcase in 2020 and an online event in 2021, it’s wonderful to have students back on campus presenting their work in person. This hybrid format allowed attendees to experience the research demos and posters either in person, online through our R&D portal, or in the Metaverse with NextMeet, a startup from our CIE. The enthusiastic response has been gratifying, and we take great pride in sharing our research with the public. The excitement and achievements of our students are what we value most as a research-focused institution.”