Experts Gather at RNTU’s ‘Shodh Shikhar 2026’ to Link Innovation with Social Impact
India, Feb 12: Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU), Bhopal, successfully concluded the 5th edition of its landmark international conference, “Shodh Shikhar 2026.” Centered on the theme “Innovation for Impact: Advancing Green Technologies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the two-day summit emerged as a premier global forum for academicians, scientists, and industry leaders to align cutting-edge research with grassroots societal needs.
Inauguration: Geospatial Tech and Digital Empowerment
The summit was inaugurated by Dr. Aparna N., Group Director, NRSC (ISRO), who emphasized the transformative role of remote sensing in agriculture, disaster management, and environmental conservation. “Research must transcend the acquisition of knowledge to become a tool for solving human problems,” she stated. Shri Santosh Choubey, Chancellor of RNTU, reflected on the AISECT Group’s journey from a single computer book to a nationwide movement for digital empowerment. Highlighting the university’s alignment with ‘Digital India’ and ‘Startup India,’ he stressed that universities must act as catalysts for social change through “practical and society-oriented research.
Global Perspectives on Agriculture and Sustainability
Industry veterans, including Mr. Michael Schlowsky (Venture Founder, Bayer Crop Science) and Dr. Vinod Shivrain (Syngenta India), highlighted the “Vision 2047” for Indian agriculture. Discussions focused on the deployment of Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) and AI-driven tech-transfer to ensure that innovation reaches the “last mile” farmer.
Strategic Collaborations and Academic Excellence
In a significant move to bolster scientific outreach, RNTU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PI-RAHI (Northern Region S&T Cluster), Chandigarh. This partnership will facilitate joint research projects, skill development, and industrial-academic coordination.
Key highlights of the summit included:
- Scientific Recognition: The prestigious C.V. Raman Vigyan Samman was conferred upon luminaries like Dr. Manoj Kumar Pateria and Dr. Manish Mohan Gore for excellence in science communication.
- Literature & Publications: Release of the Shodh Shikhar 2026 souvenir and books on Digital Skilling and AI by Chancellor Santosh Choubey and Dr. Rachna Chaturvedi.
- Science Poetry (Vigyan Kavi Sammelan): A unique session where scientists and poets used verses to simplify complex concepts like Gravity, AI, and Cellular Biology.
Innovative Solutions: Awards and Recognition
The conference saw the presentation of 800 research papers across 10 technical tracks. The Idea Commercialization Projects showcased market-ready innovations, with top honors going to:
- Healthcare: A fungal melanin-based cream for tissue damage (CVRU, Bilaspur).
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly pencils made from banana stem waste (CVRU, Khandwa).
- Social Impact: Ultrasonic glasses for the visually impaired (Ganpat University, Gujarat).
- Women-Centric Innovation: Sustainable utilization of Water Hyacinth (RNTU, Bhopal).
Closing Remarks – A Vision for Green Technology
The valedictory session, graced by Dr. Mithilesh Tiwari and Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats (Pro-Chancellor, RNTU), reinforced the university’s commitment to Green Science. Dr. Siddharth Chaturvedi, Chancellor, SCOPE Global Skills University, noted that “Green innovation and skill-based education are the dual pillars of modern industry.
Dr. Prateek Nigam, Convener of Shodh Shikhar 2026, concluded the event by thanking the global delegation, noting that the 800 papers presented have set a new benchmark for multidisciplinary research in India.