IIT Guwahati 2023: A Year of Innovations, Collaborations, and Academic Excellence

IIT Guwahati 2023: A Year of Innovations, Collaborations, and Academic Excellence

GUWAHATI, 26th December 2023: In 2023, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati achieved milestones in research, infrastructure, placements, and collaborations, hosting the G20-Y20 Inception Meet, developing 'Smart Drones,' and establishing the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute. Global recognition came with 14 subjects ranked in QS World University Ranking, 32nd in research citation per faculty, 6th position in Sustainable Development Goal 7 of THE Impact Rankings 2023, and entry into the World’s Top 25% Institutions List in QS World University Rankings 2024. Initiatives encompass startup support, diversity celebration, and contributions to national education policy. As 2023 concludes, IIT Guwahati anticipates sustaining excellence and transformative contributions.

Speaking about the progress IIT Guwahati has made in the year 2023, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “The institute is progressing very well in academic, research and technology development fronts and has been making consistent efforts to make a societal impact via various national and International initiatives. With the strong commitment of the faculty members and brilliant students, we hope to serve the society, grow through our research and innovation, and broaden our outreach even further in the coming years.

Among the top research and innovation from the Institute include:

• IIT Guwahati researchers created a 'Recombinant Protein Toolbox' with six proteins. This toolbox transforms healthy skin or somatic cells into cardiomyocytes, offering potential for regenerating damaged heart tissues.

• IIT Guwahati's research team engineered a non-sticking, non-wetting liquid marble with a 'time bomb' release effect, offering promise for programmed drug release.

• Researchers at IIT Guwahati developed a catalyst capable of releasing hydrogen gas from methanol without producing carbon dioxide. The method involves the production of formic acid, a valuable industrial chemical, making methanol a promising candidate for a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier and contributing to the hydrogen-methanol economy.

• IIT Guwahati proposed a biomedical waste solution, using dedicated facilities with compacted Bentonite/Kaolin clays or encapsulating viral waste for landfill disposal.

• IIT Guwahati's OsteoHRNet, a Deep Learning-based framework, assesses Knee Osteoarthritis severity from X-ray images, aiding remote and accurate diagnosis.

• IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a fast, accurate, and reliable device to detect specific bacteria that cause Urinary Tract infection (UTI). The Prototype device is cost effective and will be useful for rural areas where most UTI cases remain undetected due to lack of adequate testing facilities.

• A research team of IIT Guwahati in collaboration with scientists from Christian Medical College, Vellore, reported a method to convert regular human skin cells into pluripotent stem cells. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). hold potential in Stem Cell Therapy for the treatment of diseases like diabetes, cancer, paralysis, and Alzheimer's.

• IIT Guwahati Researchers developed innovative technologies for sustainable and efficient utilization of tea waste from the tea industry. This research leverages a key regional resource to promote a more sustainable and diversified economy in the North Eastern states of India.

• Researchers at IIT Guwahati created a silica-coated cotton fabric that efficiently separates oil from water, using rice husk, an abundant agricultural waste. This innovation could help address marine oil pollution by providing an economical and sustainable solution for separating oil and water mixtures or other harmful components from liquids.

• IIT Guwahati researchers developed a nanofluid-based heat transfer fluid using functionalized graphene oxide in a Deep Eutectic Solvent. This innovative fluid boosts thermal conductivity, improving the transfer of solar-generated heat to desalination systems. This breakthrough addresses global water scarcity by facilitating potable water production from seawater.

• An affordable Glycemic Index (GI) sensor for point-of-care use was created by IIT Guwahati researchers, aiding diabetes management through real-time assessment.

• IIT Guwahati researchers made significant findings on using modified graphene oxide for biomedical applications. The team also developed Graphene-based innovative laboratory experiments designed to provide students with hands-on skills and inspire them to explore the possibilities of advanced materials.

• IIT Guwahati and ISRO researchers detected X-ray polarization in an extragalactic black hole source for the first time, shedding light on accreting black hole sources beyond the Milky Way Galaxy.

New Infrastructure 

In April 2023, the foundation stone of the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII) was virtually laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at IIT Guwahati. This institute is envisioned to be a hub for research and innovation in medical sciences, featuring a 500-bedded 'Connected' Multi-Specialty Hospital spread over 12 acres within the existing IIT Guwahati campus. 

In a significant move toward environmental sustainability, in June 2023, the Institute inaugurated the NRL - Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Materials Translational Facility on Bioplastics, demonstrating its commitment to the development of eco-friendly and sustainable plastics.

PPOs and Placement

IIT Guwahati received as many as 800 offers including 214 PPOs in the Phase 1 of Placements. Among these, the Institute has received 90 job offers with Rs. 50 Lakh Per Annum and 11 job offers above Rs. One Crore packages till 6th December. The highest domestic offer received this year was Rs/ 1.20 crore, while the highest international offer was Rs. 2.05 crore.

Rankings

IIT Guwahati gained global recognition by a spot among the world’s top universities in 14 subjects in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, excelling notably in Petroleum Engineering at 51-100 worldwide and 2nd in India. In the broader QS World University Rankings, the institute stands impressively at 8th globally. Noteworthy achievements include 32nd rank in QS World University ranking in Research citations per faculty gaining 05 places from last year, 6th globally in Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy) in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023. Overall, IIT Guwahati has retained the 7th spot in the 'Engineering' category in the NIRF rankings. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, the institute climbed 20 places to secure the 364th global position, placing it among the top 25% of institutions globally.

Collaborations

In January 2023, IIT Guwahati partnered with industry for Drone Technology development in Northeast India, focusing on strengthening training, research, and manufacturing. The Institute signed an MoU with Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital in March 2023, emphasizing cardiac research and digital transformation. Concurrently, collaborative efforts with Samagra Shiksha, Assam, were initiated to instill scientific temper among school students through various activities. April 2023 witnessed collaboration with Tata Elxsi for EV transportation product development, and May 2023 hosted the Research & Industry Conclave - INTEGRATION’23, fostering industry-academia collaboration with over 2500 participants and insights from 50 speakers. In September 2023, collaborative efforts with the State government for holistic development, including teachers' training and science olympiads, were implemented. In November 2023, a three-month Drone Technology training and skilling program for defense personnel began, aiming to empower them for future entrepreneurial endeavors. The institute also initiated skilling program in solar photovoltaics and EV technologies. Also in November 2023, IITG collaborated with Tata Medical & Diagnostics Ltd. and NHM, Assam, to establish a Digital Nerve Centre for enhancing public healthcare delivery. In December 2023, the Institute conducted a 6-day Residential Training in STEM education for 1000 Assam Teachers and Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers from three regional centres. The institute is also conducting AROHAN training program for students selected from across all the districts of Assam state, a flagship program of hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam.

On international collaboration front 

The Institute showcased a commitment to global collaboration, intellectual development, and technological innovation throughout the year. The year commenced with the first G20 Sustainable Financial Working Group (SFWG) meeting in IIT Guwahati on February 2 and 3 followed by Youth 20 Inception Meet, on 6-8 February 2023, uniting 150+ youth delegates from G20 nations to exhibit innovations at IIT Guwahati campus. Post a visit from the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, in July 2023, the institute signed a pivotal MoU with the Indian Council of World Affairs, focusing on international affairs and Indian foreign policy awareness in Assam. Strengthening global ties, in November 2023, IIT Guwahati signed an MoU with Tsukuba University for campus-in-campus initiative and University of St. Andrews, UK. The institute also jointly launched a research center with the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology, emphasizing technological advancements. These efforts reflect IIT Guwahati's dedication to international cooperation, intellectual growth, and cutting-edge research.

Technology Transfers

Earlier in the year, on the technology transfer front, IIT Guwahati completed the Transfer-of-Technology (ToT) of a novel free-space optical communication system to Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt Ltd. The advanced communication system uses wavefront modulated light beams for wireless error-free data transmission through free space rather than through optical fiber.  

Fostering Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

In 2023, IIT Guwahati showcased its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through diverse initiatives. In February, the BIRAC-sponsored BioNEST hosted over 80 startups from across India, providing a platform for showcasing innovations to investors. This event resulted in an impressive investment intent exceeding 120+ crores through equity and debt routes. In June, the institute organized an Atma Nirbhar Bharat-aligned Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, offering rigorous training in design thinking, product design, ergonomics, business modeling, and enterprise planning. In August, the IIT Guwahati Research Park Foundation organized iDEATE 23, aiming to elevate regional startup ideas onto the national stage, attracting attention and investments to Assam and the northeastern regions. These initiatives collectively underscore IIT Guwahati's pivotal role in nurturing India's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Along with this, IIT Guwahati Alumni-led Startup, Primary Healthtech, developed Mobilab, a portable device for early diagnosis of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. Another IITG incubated startup, BetaTank Robotics, introduced two robotic solutions for safe and efficient petroleum tank maintenance. Additionally, Quant Solar Technologies, a clean-tech startup from IIT G, pioneered floating solar plants as a new dimension in solar installations.

IIT Guwahati aims to keep progressing on research, outreach fonts and providing its students with the best opportunities for holistic growth. The Institute wishes you a happy new year!