Mandya, Oct. 27- “The real need of the hour is to ensure that research benefits society and reaches the common man,” said Dr. S. Vidyashankar, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi.

Speaking after inaugurating the International Conference on Communication, Computer, and Information Technology (IC3IT-2025) organised by Mysuru Royal Institute of Technology (MRIT) at its premises in Lakshmipura, Srirangapatna, on Friday, he noted that the world is witnessing a revolution in communication technology with advancements in 5G and 6G, and even research on 7G in progress.

“India is among the largest producers of engineers and our talent is contributing across the globe. But research must move beyond publications. It should translate into products that improve lives, especially of the poor,” he said.

The conference was technically co-sponsored by the IEEE Bangalore Section and the IEEE Mysore Subsection.

While India produces nearly 20 lakh engineers annually and 30 percent of NASA’s scientists are Indians, the VC stressed that the challenge lies in ensuring research outcomes reach the grassroots.

“Today, much of our research remains confined to journals. The real question every researcher must ask is — what is the societal impact of my work?” he emphasised. He pointed out that despite technological advances, remote parts of India still struggle with basic internet access. “During COVID, to get internet students climbed trees to attend online classes. We must innovate technologies that can bridge such gaps — like communication systems that work without internet,” he noted.

VTU to launch Research Promotion Scheme

Highlighting future directions, Dr. Vidyashankar announced that VTU would soon launch a Research Promotion Scheme to encourage faculty to focus on product-oriented research.

“With India set to establish its first quantum computer by February, the future lies in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Our goal must be to make India technologically self-reliant and lead towards a Viksit Bharat,” he concluded.

In all, 180 technical papers were presented during the day-long conference. The accepted papers will be published in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, providing global visibility to the authors and their affiliated institutions.

Nandini N. Murthy, Mysore Royal Educational Trust Secretary, Rossana Caputo, Senior Business Advisor, Equinox Advisory Ltd., Malta and Europe President, MIICT, Bernard Mallia, CEO, Equinox Group, Malta, and President, IRISS, Malta, Dr. B.D. Parameshachari, Vice Chair (MDC), IEEE Bangalore Section, Professor & Head, Dept. of ECE, NMIT, Bengaluru and Ravichandra Kulkarni, Chair, IEEE Mysore Subsection and Dean (Research), MIT Mysore, K.S Abhinandhan, Principal, MRIT and N. Nakul, Vice-Principal, MRIT, were also present.