Kanpur, November 19, 2025: The Academics & Career Council (AnC) of Students’ Gymkhana, IIT Kanpur, successfully organized the 4th edition of the Institute Research Symposium (IRS 2025) recently at Technopark, IIT Kanpur, marking one of the most dynamic and intellectually enriching research festivals of the institute. Entirely student-led, IRS 2025 brought together over 450 participants, including students, researchers, faculty members, and industry professionals, creating a vibrant platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the spirit of scientific inquiry at IIT Kanpur.

The symposium commenced with an inspiring inauguration ceremony addressed by Prof. Manindra Agrawal (Director, IIT Kanpur), Prof. Tarun Gupta (Dean, Research & Development), Prof. Ark Verma (Faculty Advisor, AnC Council), Prof. Sheo Shankar Rai (Organising Co-Chair, IRS 2025), and Dr. Subi Chaturvedi (Global SVP and Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer at InMobi). Dr. Chaturvedi highlighted InMobi’s technological footprint in Uttar Pradesh and encouraged students to explore opportunities for meaningful industry engagement and innovation. Following the inauguration, the symposium unfolded into an enriching sequence of plenary talks, oral sessions, poster presentations, panel discussions, and research-oriented competitions.

A distinguished line-up of plenary speakers set the tone for the symposium. Mr. Arvind Jayaprakash, Head of Engineering at InMobi, delivered the opening plenary on “AI & Abundance,” addressing the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. This was followed by a series of technical and interdisciplinary plenary sessions by eminent experts including Mr. Anshu Singh (Research Establishment Officer, SIIC, IIT Kanpur) on intellectual property pathways, Mr. Harshabh Tiwari (Global Service Engineer, LanzaTech) on carbon circularity technologies, Mr. Avijit Bhattacharya (CHRO, Tata Capital Ltd.) on financial frameworks for energy transition, Prof. Bhaskar Kanseri (IIT Delhi) on advancements in quantum photonics, and Prof. Tapas K. Maji (JNCASR), who delivered a captivating narrative on the evolution of Metal-Organic Frameworks from conceptualization to Nobel recognition.

Complementing the plenaries were three high-engagement panel discussions on the topics: “Research at the Boundaries of Knowledge: Converging Disciplines”, “Industry–Academia Collaboration: Partnership or a One-Sided Transaction?”, and “Rethinking Research Culture at IIT Kanpur: ‘Publish or Perish’ vs. ‘Curiosity & Innovation’”. Panelists included senior faculty from Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Earth Sciences, and Materials Science, with sessions moderated by active researchers and early-career faculty, generating frank, constructive debate and actionable takeaways.

Throughout the three days, IRS 2025 hosted a wide spectrum of oral and poster sessions across disciplines such as materials science, nanoscience, chemical sciences, sustainable energy, biological and life sciences, data-intensive research, aerospace engineering, electronics, photonics, quantum technologies, and emerging interdisciplinary frontiers. These sessions encouraged students to present their work to diverse audiences, engage in technical discussions, and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers. Poster sessions held on Days 2 and 3 saw enthusiastic participation and sparked valuable scientific conversations.

One of the key highlights of this year’s symposium was the 24-hour Research Hackathon, an intensive challenge that brought together teams to solve complex, real-world research problems within a limited timeframe. The Hackathon stimulated creativity, interdisciplinary thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, culminating in impactful solutions that were recognized during the closing ceremony.

To make the research ecosystem more engaging and inclusive, IRS 2025 featured a set of creative research contests that added a refreshing dimension to the event. The Metallography Contest showcased striking microstructural images and analyses from budding materials researchers. The Research Reel Challenge captured the essence of laboratory life and scientific exploration through short videos, promoting accessible science communication. Research Memology emerged as a crowd favourite, using humour to reflect the joys, challenges, setbacks, and triumphs of academic research. A Research Debate Challenge on “Open Science vs. Proprietary Research” further enriched the event, allowing participants to articulate informed perspectives on contemporary scientific practices.

A Gala Dinner added a warm, convivial dimension to the symposium, offering participants, invited speakers, and faculty members a relaxed space to connect beyond formal sessions. The evening encouraged meaningful conversations, strengthened cross-disciplinary bonds, and fostered a deeper sense of community among researchers at different stages of their journeys.

The symposium culminated in a Felicitation and Closing Ceremony, graced by Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Shalabh, Former Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Kanpur, Prof. Kantesh Balani, Head, MSE Department, IIT Kanpur, and Prof. Anantharaj Sengeni, Department of Chemistry, IIT Kanpur, who honoured the outstanding contributions of participants by presenting awards for oral and poster presentations, the 24-hour research hackathon, and the various creative research contests. This concluding ceremony celebrated not only individual excellence but also the collective intellectual spirit that defined IRS 2025.

This year’s edition was generously supported by InMobi Glance as the Title Sponsor, Tata Capital Ltd. as the Gold Sponsor, and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and American Chemical Society (ACS) as Associate Sponsors. The organising committee extends its sincere gratitude to all sponsors for their impactful support that helped elevate the scale and experience of IRS 2025.

The successful execution of IRS 2025 was made possible through the visionary leadership of Prof. Ashish Garg and Prof. Sheo Shankar Rai, the Organizing Chairs of the symposium, and Prof. Ark Verma, Faculty Advisor, AnC, whose guidance anchored the event from conception to conclusion.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Aman Shukla, General Secretary (PG), Academics & Career Council, expressed deep gratitude to the distinguished speakers, faculty members, session chairs, sponsors, industry professionals, student participants, and the dedicated organizing team for their enthusiastic contributions that made IRS 2025 a resounding success. The symposium reaffirmed IIT Kanpur’s enduring commitment to cultivating a vibrant research culture, one that values rigor, creativity, storytelling, and collaboration across all layers of the academic community.

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ABOUT IIT KANPUR

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959 by an Act of Parliament, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. 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 1,055 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 20 departments, 27 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and three specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 570 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur remains a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

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