ANRF+NIT Rourkela Research X Impact Conclave 2026 Opens with Call for Collaborative, Impact-Driven Research
Over 300 academicians and researchers from institutions across the country join the two-day conclave on “Synergy for Sustainability”
Rourkela, 16 October 2026, (Kalinga Voice): The ANRF+NIT Rourkela Research X Impact Conclave 2026 was inaugurated at NIT Rourkela on 15 October. The event brought together over 300 academicians and researchers from ANRF-associated institutions across India. Held under the theme “Synergy for Sustainability,” the two-day conclave aims to strengthen research collaboration, industry–academia partnerships and the translation of research into tangible societal and economic outcomes.
Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF, attended the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela; Prof. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu, Organising Chair; Prof. Swadesh Kumar Paratihar, Organising Co-chair; and the institute’s Deans and Registrar were among the dignitaries present.
Welcoming the participants, Prof. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu said the conclave provides a platform for researchers, industry experts, faculty members and young scholars to exchange ideas, showcase innovations and build collaborations. He emphasised that addressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, energy, environmental sustainability and climate resilience requires interdisciplinary research and effective partnerships between academia, industry and society.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Kalyanaraman emphasised that research must move beyond publications and laboratories to create measurable impact. He called upon researchers to pursue ambitious scientific goals, collaborate across institutions and disciplines, and work closely with industry to translate discoveries into technologies, enterprises and solutions to societal challenges.
In his address, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao highlighted NIT Rourkela’s and its partner institutions’ potential to contribute to India’s research and innovation ambitions. Referring to the synergy between hub and spoke institutions under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) framework, he emphasised that institutions beyond established centres of excellence have the talent, commitment and capacity to deliver high-quality research outcomes when provided with appropriate support and opportunities. He called for greater opportunities for NITs and other institutions to demonstrate their research capabilities and undertake ambitious projects with accountability.
Thirty ANRF grantees from various institutions and agencies showcased their research and its societal impact to an open audience and received valuable feedback from Dr Kalyanaraman.
A notable outcome of the conclave was the commitment by industry representatives and distinguished speakers, including Ms Madhulika Shukla, CEO, IFFCO eBazar Ltd.; Er. Jagannath P. Nayak, President and Unit Head, Aditya Aluminium (Hindalco); Mr Dipak Khule, Head of R&D, JSW Energy Ltd.; and Mr Pradeep Behera, Founder and Managing Director, Thetabeta Algorithms Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate with researchers by supporting R&D projects and pilot-scale studies in their respective industries.
Prof. P. Kumaraguru, Visiting Scientist, ANRF, conducted an engaging workshop on democratising research in multiple languages using SARAL AI. The workshop highlighted how AI tools can help make research findings more accessible to the wider public.
Research scholars working in four major thematic areas Sustainable Agriculture, Healthcare and Medical Technologies, Energy Technologies, and Environmental Sustainability presented their research posters. Awards were presented to the best posters in each thematic area.
The 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 coordinated the various events.
Reporter : Basanta Kumar Jena
