Faculty Participation in India AI Pre-Summit Engagement
7th February 2026
Ajeet Kumar Bhartee, Assistant Professor in the Applied Science Department at Dronacharya Group of Institutions (DGI), participated in the India AI Pre-Summit Engagement on Faculty and Start-up Training Programme held on 7th February 2026 at AKTU, Lucknow. The programme, themed “Strengthening Science and R&D in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through Artificial Intelligence: Research Applications, Tools and Translational Innovation”, was organized by the Innovation Hub, AKTU, in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. The event brought together faculty members, industry professionals, and startup representatives to promote AI-driven research, innovation, and collaboration in higher education.
The programme was inaugurated by Prof. J. P. Pandey, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, AKTU, and formally commenced by Shri Keshav Singh, Director, Innovation Hub Foundation, AKTU. Expert sessions were delivered by Mr. Vijay Kumar, Vice President, ICSS, and Dr. Gaurav Mishra, Center Head, ICSS, providing valuable insights into emerging AI research trends, advanced tools, and practical applications. A panel discussion on “Industry-Academia-Startup: Future and Opportunities in AI” featured distinguished experts including Dr. Abhinesh Kumar (IIIT Lucknow), Mr. Gaurav Mishra (ICSS), Mr. Vijay Kumar (ICSS), Mr. Shubham Rai (Gradels Education Pvt. Ltd.), and Ms. Shivani Mehrotra (Edubuk), emphasizing collaborative frameworks, translational innovation, and AI platforms in academia.
Participation in the programme allowed Ajeet Kumar Bhartee to gain exposure to advanced AI research methodologies, translational research strategies, and innovation commercialization processes. The sessions enhanced his understanding of research proposal development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and startup incubation. Additionally, he established professional networks with academicians, industry leaders, and startup founders, which will strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem at DGI.
The programme is expected to have a positive impact on the overall development of Dronacharya Group of Institutions. It will help strengthen the research and development framework, enhance faculty competencies, promote an innovation-driven academic culture, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, the knowledge and insights gained from the engagement align the institution’s academic and research practices with national-level Artificial Intelligence initiatives, improving institutional readiness for emerging technological advancements.
Overall, Ajeet Kumar Bhartee’s participation in the India AI Pre-Summit Engagement Programme was highly beneficial, reinforcing DGI’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, startup promotion, and industry collaboration. The skills and insights acquired during the programme will be applied to teaching, research, and innovation-related activities, contributing to the institution’s academic growth and AI-driven initiatives.