ICRAIS-2024 Concludes Successfully At MIT, MAHE, Showcasing Breakthroughs In Sustainable IT And Cyber Security

The 2024 International Conference on Recent Advances in Information Science (ICRAIS-2024), held in association with IEEE, concluded on November 7th at the Department of Information and Communication, MIT, MAHE. This two-day conference attracted a distinguished group of researchers, academics, and industry professionals, fostering insightful discussions on critical advancements in Soft Computing, Distributed Computing, Information Security, and Network & Communication.

The event opened on November 6th with registration, breakfast, and an inaugural ceremony that officially launched the conference. Dr. S. N. Omkar, Chief Research Scientist at IISc Bengaluru, served as the Chief Guest and delivered a compelling keynote address on Drone Computing and its Applications in Sustainable IT, setting an engaging tone for the conference. “As we look towards a sustainable future in IT, drone technology stands out as a transformative force, with applications spanning across industries,” said Dr. Omkar. “By integrating drones with sustainable practices, we are opening new avenues for innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in the digital age.” His insights underscored the role of drone technology in developing sustainable solutions for the IT sector.

Throughout the day, researchers presented their latest findings in a series of paper presentations, held across two in-person and two online sessions, allowing for a robust exchange of ideas on diverse IT topics. Adding to the program, Dr. Paul Pang of Federation University, Australia, delivered an invited talk on Information Security, sharing valuable industry insights on safeguarding digital systems. The day concluded with a cultural program and dinner at Sir M V Hall, where attendees enjoyed networking and community engagement.

On November 7th  Day 2 of ICRAIS-2024 featured an influential talk by Dr. Gang Li, Professor at Deakin University, who presented on Strategic Suppression of Cyber Propaganda: A Game Theory Approach, deepening discussions on cyber security and data protection strategies. The conference proceeded with further paper presentations, both in-person and online, where innovative research on sustainable IT and emerging technologies was showcased.

The valedictory session marked the conclusion of ICRAIS-2024, with Group Captain Pola Aanand Naidu, Director at the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre, delivering closing remarks. His speech emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable IT solutions and underscored the role of global partnerships in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the IT sector today.

The ICRAIS-2024 organizers extend their gratitude to all participants, presenters, and attendees for making the event a grand success. The conference not only highlighted the strides being made in IT research but also provided a valuable platform for fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

‘Digii100’ Summit Announces Its 2nd Edition, To Recognize Top 100 Higher Education Institutions Pioneering Digital Transformation

Digii, a Bengaluru-based leading SaaS company offering a mission-critical operating system for higher education and delivering a digital-first experience for every stakeholder, today announced the launch of the 2nd edition of its most sought-after flagship event, the Digii100 Summit. This unique endeavour, focused on recognizing India's top 100 higher education institutions leading the way in digital transformation, is scheduled for December 14th in New Delhi. This year, the summit will focus sharply on Unlocking Digital Excellence at Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through power-packed panel discussions, immersive workshops, and fireside chats.

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, digital transformation is reshaping how education is delivered and experienced, making it essential for institutions to evolve into digital campuses. A growing number of institutions across the ecosystem are harnessing cutting-edge technology to redefine teaching, learning, and the overall campus environment. The past two years have also seen a surge in AI adoption, driven by the quest for personalized learning and strategic partnerships between institutions and tech innovators. This shift has empowered HEIs to deliver personalized learning experiences, fostering greater engagement and improved student success.

Recognizing this momentum, Digii launched the one-of-a-kind ‘Digii100’ initiative to spotlight the top 100 institutions excelling in digital transformation, using a robust framework to identify trailblazers. These standout institutions not only serve as powerful case studies but also inspire others to replicate best practices and accelerate their own digital journeys. With over 200 Higher Education Institution (HEI) leaders and CXOs from top tech firms expected to attend, the Digii100 Summit aims to build a community of technology companies and higher education institutions to engage freely and have open dialogues. Among the confirmed speakers are Narayanan Ramaswamy, Partner & National Leader for Education and Skill Development at KPMG India; Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice-President and Co-founder of VIT Bangalore; PP Sunil Acharya, India & South Asia Lead at Amazon Web Services; and Rajiv Tandon, CEO of Strategic Initiatives and Industry Research Partnerships at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.

Speaking about the summit, Hemant Sahal, Founder & CEO, expressed his excitement “Launching the second edition of the Digii100 Summit reinforces our commitment to honouring institutions that are driving change in Indian higher education. By celebrating the top 100 institutions for their digital excellence, we aim to inspire more institutions to embrace technology and elevate educational standards. We strongly believe that technology is the catalyst for creating personalised, scalable, and impactful learning experiences that can truly transform the lives of students and other stakeholders across India.”

The day-long summit will bring together key leaders from academia, industry, and policy-making to share impactful stories and discuss practical solutions for addressing bottlenecks. With a sharp focus on content and community building, it will feature discussions and workshops on leveraging AI for scalable impact, using design thinking for digital transformation, creating student-centric campuses for holistic development, and empowering classrooms with cutting-edge digital tools, among other emerging areas in higher education.

About Digii:

Digii is a Bengaluru-based SaaS company offering Digiicampus, a comprehensive operating system purpose-built for higher education institutions. Digii empowers institutions to streamline mission-critical operations, enhance learning outcomes, elevate student satisfaction, and ensure regulatory compliance through the utilization of Digiicampus. The platform is actively used by 300,000+ students spanning 200+ higher education institutions globally. Read more at https://digiicampus.com/

revalyu Resources Successfully Commissions Second Plant Of World’s Largest Chemical PET-Plastic Recycling Site

 ·     revalyu Resources invested US$100 million to bring the total production capacity at its Nashik, India site to 280 tonnes per day (tpd) making it the world’s largest PET plastic recycling site.

·         The site consists of three independent recycling plants: 

o   two recycling plants, each with a capacity of 120 tpd producing 100% recycled PET chips of which one plant was recently commissioned and the second will be commissioned in Q3, 2025. 

o   one operating 40 tpd recycling plant which produces 100% recycled speciality chips and textile yarns. 

·         The plants use advanced recycling technology based on glycolysis which produces recycled PET with 75% less water and 91% less energy consumption compared to conventional PET manufacturing

revalyu Resources, a leading chemical PET recycling company with a global presence, has commissioned its second technology-leading PET recycling plant at its site in Nashik, India to further bolster its production capacity and meet growing customer demands.

The recent commissioning of the second plant means the revalyu site now recycles over 20 million used PET bottles a day into 160 tonnes per day of high quality PET chips and PET polymer.  This is being used by customers to meet their sustainability targets in applications from diverse sectors such as PET bottle, packaging materials, textiles, automobile accessories and a wide variety of other PET copolymer based products. The third plant is fully financed as part of the US$100 million investment, and under construction which will add a further 120 tonnes per day of capacity in Q3 2025. This will increase the site’s recycling capacity to approximately 35 million post-consumer plastic bottles a day and total production capacity to 280 tonnes per day.

The site utilizes highly advanced patented glycolysis-based recycling technologies and automated processes, which make the manufacturing operations highly optimized, scalable, profitable and easily replicable. The recycled PET is produced using 75% less water and 91% less energy than conventional PET made from oil.

Commenting on the recent successes, Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder, revalyu Group said, “This is a revolutionary moment for the PET plastic recycling industry.  Finally, the world has a commercially proven, scalable, profitable and environmentally sustainable recycling technology that can truly reverse engineer used PET plastic into virgin grade quality PET polymer.  I cannot thank our team, customers, shareholders and suppliers enough for their hard work, trust and support.  We continue to seek global partners to join us in our global expansion as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the highest quality sustainable (r)polymer to customers and take care of our planet for our future generations”.

The revalyu Group’s Managing Director Jan van Kisfeld stated: “This marks a significant milestone for revalyu and the advancement of global plastic circularity. Imagine PET being recycled continuously, creating a sustainable cycle. Our 100% post-consumer recycled polymer can seamlessly replace conventional PET in any polyester or PET application. Our new plant demonstrates two critical achievements: first, that this chemical recycling process is commercially viable on a global scale, and second, that it operates with an impressively low environmental footprint. Our new facility serves customers with high-quality 100% recycled PET similar to conventional PET and supports them in reaching their sustainability goals.”

Makarand Kulkarni, CEO, revalyu India  said, “Our Nashik site underscores our strategic vision of reinforcing our leadership position in the PET recycling landscape globally. This environmentally sustainable chemical recycling process is scalable and replicable and that gives our customers an edge in their respective markets, the technology is a game changer. We will continue to explore collaborations globally to build scale and create market opportunities."

revalyu Resources will set up a 240 tonnes per day PET recycling facility in the US by 2027 and has plans to expand globally with partnerships to increase its production to over 1000 tonnes per day by 2030.

About revalyu:

The revalyu Group is headquartered in Germany (revalyu Resources GmbH) and majority-owned by Heraeus, a German global technology group.  revalyu Resources owns operations in India (revalyu Recycling (India) Limited) and the USA (revalyu (US) LLC). revalyu started with the vision of using an innovative solution to tackle the post-consumer plastic waste problem, resulting in a of one-of-a-kind chemical PET recycling process to recycle post-consumer PET waste for making cost effective high-quality recycled products equivalent to conventionally produced PET.

https://www.revalyu.com/

About Heraeus:

Heraeus is a family-owned global technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany. The company’s roots go back to a family pharmacy started in 1660. With its expertise and resources, Heraeus has been making meaningful contributions over generations and is committed to do so in the future. Today, the group bundles diverse activities in four Business Platforms: Metals and Recycling, Healthcare, Semiconductor and Electronics, as well as Industrials. Customers benefit from innovative technologies and solutions based on broad materials knowledge and technological leadership. In the 2023 financial year, the group generated revenues of €25.6 billion (US$27.7 billion) with approximately 16,400 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus is one of the top 10 family owned companies in Germany. 

Final Countdown Begins As “Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, 2024” All Set To Kick Off

With an exciting lineup of international music icons, regional talent, and cultural attractions, Day-1 of the “Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival” is all set to kick off on Friday, November 15, at the RBDSA Sports Complex, Bhoirymbong.

Having majority of the international sensations including Akon already reached Northeast, Shillong is going to experience the musical extravaganza like never before, celebrating ‘Year of Legends’.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, will inaugurate the festival, in the presence of the esteemed guest Hon'ble Union Minister of DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Tourism Minister of Meghalaya Shri Paul Lyngdoh.

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival has grown into a major cultural attraction, drawing thousands of tourists from the country and beyond. The people celebrate the scenic beauty of cherry blossoms with music, food, art, and many more.

R&B Superstar Akon in his Superfan Tour will be the headliner of the day-one of Shillong Cherry Blossom festival. This will be followed by electric show by legendary group Boney M on their Farewell Tour, making this a rare opportunity to witness the band live. Singing sensation Jasleen Royal, international star Lucas, Northeast’s The Great Society and beloved local artists like Queen Sensation and Rito Riba, will also join the celebration on Friday.

Clean Bandit and acclaimed Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor will perform on Day-Two, followed by DJ R3HAB with his electrifying beats. Local band Khasi Bloodz, SK Korn, and artists from the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) will also showcase their talents, underscoring the festival's commitment to promote regional talents.

For the first time, the festival will also have a designated Japanese Arena, which came as a result of the visit of Japanese Ambassador to Meghalaya where he noticed the similarities between both the places with Blooming Cherry, definitely, being one of them. Here, the visitors can experience the vibrant culture of Japan. The arena will offer a unique fusion of art, anime, and entertainment. This dedicated space will also feature anime screenings to give fans a chance to enjoy popular Japanese animation on the big screen.

Let’s immerse in this annual celebration of Cherry Blossom, at the RBDSA Sports Complex, with international sensations on their legendary superfan to farewell tours, only in Meghalaya.

'The Grooming Fest' By Zigly Promotes Pet Health And Hygiene

Zigly, a leading omnichannel pet care brand, renowned for its comprehensive Pet care ecosystem, is hosting ‘The Grooming Fest’, a four-day event across the country to raise awareness about the importance of pet grooming and hygiene. The event will take place from November 15-18, 2024 at Zigly Experience Centres.

With the onset of the winter season, ensuring proper grooming for your pawsome pals from recognised and trusted pet care brands is crucial for their well-being. Zigly is focused on ensuring pet parents receive the proper care and guidance about pet care and The Grooming Fest is one of the various initiatives by the pet care company.

Improper grooming can lead to a host of skin infections and other health issues in pets. According to Dr. Deepak Saraswat, Head Vet, Zigly, "Neglecting regular grooming can result in matted fur, skin irritations, and even bacterial or fungal infections. These problems make pets uncomfortable and can lead to more serious medical conditions if left untreated. Maintaining a consistent grooming routine is essential for the overall health and well-being of our furry friends."

The Grooming Fest will offer special discounts on Grooming Packages, Vaccination Packages, and Pet Food, making it easier for pet parents to prioritize their pets' care. Customers can avail of these offers at Zigly Experience Centres during the four-day event.

"At Zigly, we understand the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and grooming for the health and well-being of pets," said Mr Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First. "Ever since the pandemic, many people have started to adopt pets and treat them as their own family members. The Grooming Fest is our way of educating pet parents, especially the new ones, about proper grooming guidance and process along with pampering their furry companions to create memorable experiences together. Additionally, this also ensures the vitality and healthy life for the pets."

In addition to the promotional offers, the event will feature a range of fun and interactive activities, including free treats for pets, Polaroid picture-taking sessions, and engaging contests for both pets and their parents.

The Grooming Fest discounts will be available at all Zigly Experience Centres, with the exception of the Whitefield and Element stores. Customers can avail of the offers by purchasing select grooming packages during the event period.

For more information about The Grooming Fest and to stay updated on the latest developments, please visit the Zigly website at www.zigly.com or follow the brand on social media.

About Zigly:

Zigly is a leading omnichannel platform for pet care, offering comprehensive veterinary care, best-in-class pet spa and grooming services, pet fashion, pet food, and more. With multiple experience centers across India, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bangalore, Secunderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, and Dehradun, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana Zigly is expanding its physical presence by opening new stores in other major cities. As a direct-to-consumer (D2C) pet care brand under the umbrella of Cosmo First, Zigly is committed to providing innovative solutions for pet owners. Visit your nearest Zigly Experience center, log on to www.zigly.com, or download the Zigly App to discover the Zigly experience today.

About Cosmo First Limited:

Established in 1981 and founded by Mr. Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First is a global leader in specialty films and an emerging player in speciality chemicals (Masterbatches, Adhesive, & Coating), Cosmo Plastech and Cosmo Sunshield, along with a digital-first Omni channel Pet care business under the brand name ‘Zigly’. Cosmo First is into D2C, B2B2C and B2B businesses and has operations in India, Japan, Korea, Europe, and the Americas. Visit www.cosmofirst.com for more details.

Louis Philippe Presents “Royal Wedding Treasures” For This Wedding Season In Bengaluru

Louis Philippe, India’s leading premium menswear brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited, proudly announces the launch of its latest “Royal Wedding Treasures” collection, crafted for the modern groom who desires to honor tradition while embracing contemporary style. This collection is a testament to the brand’s legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and refined sophistication, designed to ensure that the groom exudes confidence and charisma on his special day.

The exclusive “Royal Wedding Treasures” collection by Louis Philippe embodies the grandeur and cultural richness of traditional wedding ceremonies while seamlessly integrating modern design elements. Each piece is a work of art, skillfully crafted from premium fabrics such as velvet and detailed with exquisite embellishments. The Bandhgalas are adorned with intricate embroidery and sequins, inspired by royal motifs, and reflect a level of craftsmanship that elevates the groom’s attire to regal status.

For those seeking the perfect balance of heritage and contemporary flair, the collection offers impeccably cut two-piece and three-piece suits, as well as ceremonial shirts. These outfits blend the brand’s classic adapting expertise with modern silhouettes and nuanced textures, allowing the groom to make a sophisticated statement. The collection’s color palette—ranging from deep royal blues and rich greens to classic ivory and gold—speaks to both the bold and traditional aspects of wedding fashion, creating a look that is both majestic and timeless.

Speaking about the collection, Ms. Farida Kaliyadan, Chief Operating Officer, Louis Philippe, remarked, “At Louis Philippe, we believe that weddings are as much about personal expression as they are about tradition. This collection has been crafted to honor that sentiment, offering grooms an unparalleled fusion of elegance, grandeur, and contemporary fashion.”

To commemorate this special launch, Louis Philippe is hosting an exclusive contest for its customers. With purchases worth INR 20,000 or more at any Louis Philippe exclusive store or on the website/app between 4th November and 30th November, customers can enter for a chance to win exciting prizes, including:

A luxurious pre-wedding shoot, perfect for preserving memories before the big day

A 2-gram gold coin from Indriya, adding a touch of opulence to the wedding celebrations

For more details on participation,  visit www.louisphilippe.abfrl.in/sale/wedding-contest

Louis Philippe’s wedding collection is now available in 28 Louis Philippe flagship stores in Bengaluru, authorised retailers, online at www.louisphilippe.abfrl.in  and the brand’s mobile app.

Tech Avant-Garde Launches Cyber Academe, Revolutionizing Education

Tech Avant-Garde proudly announces the launch of Cyber Academe, a groundbreaking digital transformation initiative, on Children's Day. This pioneering educational institution empowers students for the digital age through personalized, adaptive learning with 5 Cs (communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, computational thinking).

Inspired by the need for a digitally savvy workforce, Cyber Academe addresses learning gaps and fosters holistic education. The institution boasts cutting-edge features such as Metaverse integration, providing students with personalized coaching through mixed reality, and HoloLens, offering interactive 3D learning experiences. AI-powered tools enhance knowledge indexing, learning platforms and teacher lesson planning.

Cyber Academe's inauguration on Children's Day underscores its commitment to empowering children through education. Notable speakers, including Maj. Gen. V.T. Mathew, KV Vincent, Ravi Govindan, Ms. Svetlana Roa, Ali Sait and Roshini Kumar, will share insights. Key initiatives include Cyber Learning Spaces, Prophylaxis Health Kiosk and GEM AI – Mentor Aid.

Future plans encompass digital literacy workshops, webinars, global collaborative projects and partnerships with CBSE, CISCE, NCERT, AICTE, UNICEF, Microsoft and Fischer Medical. Cyber Academe prioritizes data security through Azure storage and minimizes offline accessibility needs.

Ali Sait, CEO Tech Avant-Garde, awarded the Edu-visioner award, revolutionizes education through Project Carte Blanche. This initiative empowers 800+ registered schools across India, fostering "Social Schooling" with corporate CSR funds for technological advancements.

By revolutionizing education, Cyber Academe prepares students for the digital workforce, ensuring perpetual engagement and personalized learning. For more information, visit

https://carte-blanche.in/

https://techavantgarde.co/