Chandigarh, December 18
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar welcomed Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, to the institute and briefed him on IIT Ropar’s expanding research, innovation and technology-driven initiatives. Prof. Sood is also the Chief Guest of the ongoing International Conference on Physics Education (ICPE) 2025 being hosted at IIT Ropar.
During the interaction, the Prof. Rajeev Ahuja highlighted IIT Ropar’s growing contributions in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, clean energy, agriculture technology and education innovation, supported by strong industry partnerships and national missions. Prof. Sood appreciated IIT Ropar’s integrated approach to research, innovation and societal impact, and underscored the importance of aligning academic research with national priorities.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja said, “It was an honour to welcome Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood to IIT Ropar. As a premier institution committed to cutting-edge research and innovation, we are continuously strengthening our capabilities in physics and interdisciplinary sciences to address national and global challenges. ICPE 2025 reflects our commitment to advancing physics education through research-driven pedagogy and international collaboration.”
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, himself a distinguished physicist with an extensive research career, discussed the institute’s strong emphasis on fundamental and applied physics research. He is one of the most highly cited researchers as well as top 5 materials Scientist in Sweden & India. He outlined ongoing work in experimental and theoretical physics, interdisciplinary collaborations and the institute’s commitment to strengthening physics education through research-led teaching and global engagement.
Prof. Sood also interacted with faculty members and conference participants, sharing insights on strengthening India’s science ecosystem through modern pedagogy, translational research and innovation-led growth.
ICPE 2025 saw strong academic engagement on December 17 and 18, with plenary and invited talks on active learning, physics education research, quantum education, AI-enabled learning and gender equity, including a key panel discussion on inclusivity in Indian physics education. A major highlight on December 18 was Padma Shri Prof. H.C. Verma’s candid interaction with Prateek Shukla, MASAI School, Prof. Shilpi Chaudhary, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and students which drew an enthusiastic response from participants and sparked deep discussions on experiential learning, conceptual clarity and the future of physics education in India.
ICPE 2025, a five-day international conference being held from December 16 to 20, has brought together over 3000 students. With two more days remaining, the conference will continue to host major discussions on emerging trends in physics education, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, industry-academia linkages and future-ready curriculum.
Through ICPE 2025 and high-level engagements such as the visit of the Principal Scientific Adviser, IIT Ropar continues to strengthen its position as a leading hub for innovation-driven research, global academic collaboration and excellence in science and engineering education.
