The Department of Green Energy Technology, Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies, Pondicherry University, in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, inaugurated a five-day Boot Camp and Hands-on Training Workshop on “Computational and Practical Aspects in Drone Technology Towards Sustainability” on November 3, 2025, at the Seminar Hall, Cultural Cum Convention Centre, Pondicherry University. The event is funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Capacity Building for Human Resources in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone and Related Technology) project and sponsored by the South Asia Foundation (SAF).
The inaugural ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Dr. K. Karthik Selva Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Green Energy Technology, Pondicherry University, and one of the convenors of the workshop. He highlighted the program's objectives and the growing relevance of drone technology in promoting sustainable solutions across various sectors.
Prof. B. M. Jaffar Ali, Dean (i/c), Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies, and Dr. P. S. Balaji, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, were felicitated during the function for their contributions to the initiative.
The presidential address was delivered by Dr. M. K. Padmanabhan, Director, Virginia Tech India, who emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing drone technology for agriculture, energy, and environmental sustainability.
Delivering the inaugural address at the five-day Boot Camp and Hands-on Training Workshop on “Computational and Practical Aspects in Drone Technology Towards Sustainability”, Prof. K. Tharanikkarasu, Director (SEI & RR), Pondicherry University, lauded the joint efforts of Pondicherry University and NIT Rourkela in promoting innovation and skill development in the emerging field of drone technology.
Funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Capacity Building for Human Resources in Unmanned Aircraft Systems project, the workshop aims to equip participants with both computational knowledge and hands-on training in drone design and applications.
Prof. Tharanikkarasu emphasized the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems in areas such as agriculture, energy, environment, and disaster management, calling them vital tools for sustainable development. He praised the workshop’s practical approach to learning and urged students and researchers to leverage this opportunity to contribute to India’s expanding drone ecosystem and technological self-reliance.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. R. Arun Prasath, UNESCO Chair (RCESD) and Head of the Department of Green Energy Technology, Pondicherry University, who expressed gratitude to MeitY, SAF, and all participating institutions for their support.
The week-long workshop, scheduled from November 3rd to 7th, 2025, features expert lectures and hands-on training sessions covering topics such as drone architecture, AI-driven aerial systems, flight control and firmware basics, 3D design and printing of drone parts, and drone flight demonstrations. The program includes participation from academic researchers, students, and industry professionals, offering them a platform to gain both computational and practical exposure to modern drone technology applications.