8 January 2024, Amritapuri Ashram
A momentous celebration of academic excellence unfolded as the Amrita Innovation & Research Awards (AIRA) were bestowed upon 24 distinguished faculty members of Amrita University. Recognizing their exceptional contributions, the awards, including the Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award, Innovation Award, and Publication Excellence Award, were presented with due acknowledgment and honor.
The ceremony was a highlight of the Amrita Research & Innovation Symposium for Excellence (ARISE) 2024, hosted at the University. With the participation of over 500 faculty members from eight campuses, ARISE 2024 aimed to provide a dynamic platform for top researchers to collaborate, initiating interdisciplinary research initiatives that transcend conventional boundaries and collectively address societal challenges.
Amma graced the occasion, presenting the top research awards during a special function at the Ashram. The chief guests for the event were Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Secretary of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, and Venu Govinda Raju, Director of the Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors at the University at Buffalo.
Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, in his address, expressed that after an audience with Amma, he realized, “more than passion, we need compassion in the fields.” He extended his wish for Amrita University to become the world’s number one university as envisioned by Amma.
Amma, in her address, underscored the importance of education for life alongside education for a living. Using a poignant analogy, she conveyed, “Even if the vehicle has diesel in it, if the battery is not there, it will not start. Likewise, self-confidence is the ‘battery’ we need to ignite and move forward in our journey. Even if you are not able to see anything, don’t lose your confidence in your research work; keep doing, keep going forward,” providing encouragement and inspiration to the researchers.
The AIRA awards and ARISE 2024 collectively stand as a testament to Amrita University’s commitment to fostering a culture of compassion-driven research, innovation, and collaboration. This commitment propels the institution toward new heights of academic excellence.
-KaliCharan