Seize Opportunities in Space Tech: Former ISRO Chairman

On Monday, Former ISRO Chairman K Sivan, highlighting the new opportunities arising from recent government reforms in the space sector which open doors for private players, urged the students to engage in space technology research.

"I would like to see talented students, such as those from AIT, work on the latest space technology for the benefit of society. Space technology is connected to every segment of society and thus has numerous applications," he said during his speech after receiving the lifetime achievement award from the Army Institute of Technology (AIT) in Dighi.

Sivan pointed out that, in the past, space activities like spacecraft construction and rocket launches were conducted solely by Isro.

"That barrier is now broken. With this reform, academic institutions and industries can actively engage in space activities, especially satellite manufacturing and applications. There are ample opportunities for students to tackle challenges in this field," he said.

Meanwhile, Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, the chief guest, remarked that the Indian Army is undergoing a major technological transformation. "India is dedicated to modernising its armed forces into a sophisticated war-fighting machine," he stated.

"The Indian Army is focused on transformation. The year 2025 will be recognised as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption', during which we will prioritise the assimilation, adoption and integration of new technologies. Consequently, self-reliance will be fundamental to our modernisation efforts. AIT must lead in education and innovation. Through our collective efforts, we can shape a future that is both technologically advanced and socially responsible," the commander said.

He also noted that the aspirations, hard work and curiosity of students will define AIT's success. "I urge students to focus on dual-use technologies such as AI, quantum computing, robotics, big data analytics and augmented reality, which hold immense military relevance," Lt Gen Seth added.

Brigadier Abhay Bhat, director of AIT, announced that the institute is in the process of obtaining autonomous status and has opened admissions for the children of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy personnel for certain courses this year.