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Vehant Technologies, an AI/ML-based security screening solutions provider, has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur (IIT-Jodhpur) to promote Industry-Academia Collaboration and work jointly on research-based projects.
Following the IIT-Mandi and IIIT-Delhi, this is the third MoU signed to strengthen the Industry-Academia Collaboration.
How will the partnership benefit students?
According to the company's statement. The partnership will sponsor up to five students enrolled in the M.Tech program in 2023–2024. The organization additionally intends to sponsor PhD research and development in AI and ML, faculty consulting projects, and research projects.
The student selection process has begun, and the project work will begin on September 29, 2023. Researchers from Vehant and IIT Jodhpur will work together to develop enhanced applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in the security screening services provided by the company.
According to Prof. Surajit Banerjee, Dean (IR, AR & CR), IIT Jodhpur, The partnership will harness the power of AI and ML to ensure safe environments for all.
"Through collaborative projects and knowledge sharing, we aim to equip our students and faculty with invaluable systems knowledge. This collaboration represents a significant step towards achieving these goals," Banerjee said.
What does Vehant Technologies do?
Vehant Technologies is among the leading providers of AI and ML-based security screening solutions, including Premise Security, Smart and Safe City, Enterprise Analytics Solutions, and Surveillance across all industries, including Government, Railways, Airports, and corporations.
Dr. Balakrishnan, a Research Consultant at Vehant Technologies and Honorary Professor at IIT Delhi, expressed his observations on the challenges and potential solutions in academia-industry collaborations. He noted that successful collaborations between academia and industry are rare due to a lack of mutual experience and understanding between academicians and industry personnel. He pointed out that industry professionals, especially those in R&D divisions, often lack experience in academics, and conversely, most academicians do not have industry experience.
He explained that industries typically seek R&D support for their ongoing projects from the academic sector, but these projects are often time-consuming. Academics, on the other hand, operate on time cycles based on semesters and have commitments to curriculum, which can make collaboration challenging.
Balakrishnan believes that these challenges can be overcome when there is mutual benefit perceived by both sides. He suggested that one way to achieve this is for the industry to sponsor M.Tech. students in academic institutions.
"This would involve not only funding the project and the personnel (both student and faculty) but also providing mentorship to the students by industry R&D personnel who have the capability and bandwidth to do so, he said.
Anoop Prabhu, the Co-founder & C.T.O of Vehant Technologies, said, “Vehant’s selected Fellows for this program will work hand in hand on various research projects with their mentors from IIT Jodhpur and Vehant‘s research team. The Fellowship offers a two-year commitment of funds to be used for research goals."
Anoop said the research will be undertaken under the company's goal of building cutting-edge security screening solutions through a strong research ecosystem with IIT Jodhpur researchers working in domains of mutual interest.
"Our primary objective is to research AI/ML approaches and image processing applications in physical security, smart and safe city analytics, and enterprise analytics," Anoop added.
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