Education institutions today are no longer confined to classrooms and conventional teaching methods. Across India, premier institutes are increasingly becoming centers of research, technological advancement, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. In this direction, Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra once again demonstrated its academic and technological leadership by successfully concluding a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Emerging Control & Digital Technologies for Sustainable Green Energy Systems.” The event not only created a platform for discussions on future energy systems but also became a landmark occasion due to the launch of a student-led agritech innovation, Kisan Saathi App, which has now entered a new entrepreneurial stage.
The programme brought together experts, researchers, industry leaders, academicians, and participants from India and abroad under a common platform to discuss emerging technologies that are expected to redefine the future of sustainable energy systems.
National and International Participation Highlights the Programme’s Reach
The scale and participation level of the FDP reflected the growing relevance of sustainable technology research and interdisciplinary learning. More than 150 participants attended the programme representing sixteen Indian states and two Union Territories. The event also witnessed international participation from countries including the United States, Singapore, and Switzerland.
Such wide participation indicates the global importance of sustainable green energy systems and digital control technologies. The exchange of ideas among participants from diverse regions and academic backgrounds created an environment of collaborative learning and research dialogue.
The FDP served as a networking platform where researchers and educators discussed current challenges and future opportunities in energy infrastructure, artificial intelligence, renewable systems, and smart technologies.
Wide Range of Emerging Technologies Discussed During the FDP
The five-day programme included extensive sessions covering some of the most rapidly evolving technological sectors. Participants explored topics related to electric mobility, renewable energy integration, artificial intelligence applications, smart grids, cybersecurity, microgrids, digital control systems, and future energy infrastructures.
The discussions highlighted how emerging technologies are transforming traditional energy ecosystems. Experts emphasized the need for sustainable energy solutions due to increasing environmental concerns, rapid urbanization, and rising energy demands.
The sessions focused on practical challenges and future applications of advanced technologies capable of making energy systems more efficient, secure, and intelligent.
Leadership and Academic Coordination Behind the Initiative
The FDP was organized under the guidance of Prof. Indranil Manna, Vice-Chancellor of BIT Mesra, and Dr. Gautam Sarkhel, Officiating Chancellor of the institute. The event was coordinated by Dr. Gauri Shanker Gupta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and FDP Coordinator.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities including Shri Sushant Gaurav, IAS and Municipal Commissioner of Ranchi Municipal Corporation, who is also an alumnus of BIT Mesra’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department.
Other notable dignitaries included Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar Mishra, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mr. Pranshu Patidar, Programme Manager at Vedantu and Guest of Honour, and Dr. Surendra Kumar, Assistant Professor and Co-Coordinator of the FDP, who delivered the formal vote of thanks.
The participation of alumni, government officials, industry professionals, and academicians highlighted the institute’s integrated approach toward education and innovation.
Expert Sessions Explored Cutting-Edge Research Areas
One of the major highlights of the programme was its extensive lineup of expert sessions delivered by distinguished scholars and professionals from reputed institutions and organizations.
The sessions covered subjects that are likely to define the next generation of technological developments. Dr. Sumant G. Kadwane discussed bidirectional EV charger technologies for vehicle-to-grid applications. Dr. Giambattista Gruosso from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, addressed the future of electric vehicle charging systems and their integration with communication networks.
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in sustainable energy systems were explored by Dr. Kalyan Chatterjee of IIT ISM Dhanbad. Participants also attended discussions on AI applications in autonomous vehicles and smart agriculture by Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar Mishra.
Industry expertise was represented through sessions by professionals such as Pratyush Anand from Microsoft, who shared insights into software and firmware development for energy-efficient systems.
The inclusion of experts from institutions including IITs, NITs, BITS Pilani, international universities, and technology companies ensured a broad perspective on future innovations.
Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Technologies Remained Major Themes
Renewable energy and smart infrastructure formed another central focus area of the FDP. Sessions explored topics such as digital controllers in renewable systems, adaptive control in microgrids, photovoltaic systems, fuel cell stability, energy management systems, and cyber resilience in legacy power networks.
Experts discussed the role of smart grids in creating efficient electricity distribution systems. Discussions also highlighted the significance of integrating renewable resources such as solar and wind energy with digital control technologies.
As the world transitions toward cleaner and smarter energy solutions, these research areas are expected to play a significant role in shaping future energy policies and engineering practices.
Kisan Saathi App Emerges as a Symbol of Student Innovation
Alongside the conclusion of the FDP, one of the most inspiring moments of the event came with the launch of Kisan Saathi App, a multilingual agritech platform developed by BIT Mesra student Mayank Narayan.
A final-year B.Tech student in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mayank developed the application over a period of four years under the mentorship of Dr. Gauri Shanker Gupta.
The platform aims to address critical challenges faced by Indian farmers through technology-enabled advisory and support systems. Designed with multilingual and voice-enabled capabilities, the application seeks to make agricultural information accessible even to users with limited technological literacy.
Technology Designed to Support Indian Farmers
Kisan Saathi App integrates several practical features intended to improve agricultural decision-making. The platform provides crop health guidance, mandi price information, weather updates, agricultural advisory services, and support systems for farmers.
Agriculture in India often faces information gaps where farmers struggle to access real-time market trends and scientific guidance. Digital platforms such as Kisan Saathi have the potential to bridge these gaps by delivering accessible and localized information.
The multilingual interface is particularly significant in a country where linguistic diversity often limits technology adoption in rural communities.
From Student Project to Entrepreneurial Venture
The launch of Kisan Saathi App also marked its transition from an academic project into a venture-stage startup initiative.
Mr. Pranshu Patidar joined the initiative as Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, and Lead Angel Investor, bringing industry expertise and entrepreneurial guidance to the project.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gauri Shanker Gupta assumed the role of Advisor, Founding Mentor, and Non-Executive Director.
The project is currently under discussion for incubation support through the BIT Mesra Incubation Centre. If approved, this could provide infrastructure, mentorship, networking opportunities, and investment support necessary for scaling the platform.
BIT Mesra Demonstrates a Unified Ecosystem of Innovation
The simultaneous conclusion of the FDP and the launch of Kisan Saathi App reflected BIT Mesra’s broader vision of integrating education, industry collaboration, entrepreneurship, and research under one institutional framework.
Faculty development programmes improve academic capability, while student-led innovations create entrepreneurial opportunities. Together, they create an ecosystem where ideas evolve beyond theoretical learning and move toward practical impact.
As India increasingly focuses on sustainable development, digital innovation, and startup culture, initiatives such as these indicate how educational institutions can play a crucial role in shaping the future.
BIT Mesra’s latest initiative demonstrates that the intersection of research, education, and entrepreneurship has the potential to generate not only technological solutions but also social impact that extends far beyond campus boundaries.
