IIT Kharagpur Shifts Focus to Human-Centric Research, Says Director

Quick summary

• At the 71st convocation of IIT Kharagpur on july 15, 2025, Director Dr. Suman Chakraborty emphasized a shift toward human-centric, multidisciplinary technology research.
• Dr.Chakraborty remarked that “the world does not need more technocrats” but individuals who integrate emotional intelligence with technical skills, innovating beyond AI-generated answers.
• IIT KGP aims to teach students to use AI ethically while focusing on converging domains like diagnostics, medicine, law, and humanities alongside traditional subjects such as deeptech and cloud computing.
• New initiatives include advancements in cybersecurity, disaster response tools using AI models, precision agriculture solutions, and interdisciplinary programs led by its renowned AI department specializing in responsible real-world applications.
• The institute inaugurated PLATO-an AI-based personalized coding tutor-and announced infrastructure upgrades for better campus amenities as part of its Platinum Jubilee efforts.
• Gender disparity remains a challenge at IITs despite women excelling academically; less than half of female students received medals during this year’s ceremony. dr. Chakraborty stressed the importance of promoting women leadership in STEM fields at the institute’s convocation event attended by chief guest Dr. S Somanath (former ISRO chairperson).

Indian Opinion Analysis
The evolving focus of IIT Kharagpur reflects an important paradigm shift as technological advancements drive global industries increasingly reliant on multidisciplinary approaches and ethical considerations in artificial intelligence applications. Dr. Chakraborty’s emphasis on blending emotional intelligence with technical prowess highlights how human-centric innovation may serve societal needs better than rigidly algorithmic outputs alone-a pressing concern amid rapid automation trends seen globally.

Nationally regarded for both academic excellence and pioneering contributions across engineering disciplines and emerging fields like responsible AI research for healthcare or climate change adaptation measures-the institute is pushing progressive boundaries through cutting-edge projects like PLATO or disaster management tools rooted deeply within culturally relevant frameworks highlighting empathy-focused integration.Addressing longstanding gender imbalances institutionally enhances equitable portrayal perhaps inspiring younger generations pursuing STEM pathways boosting broader inclusion agendas India grapples institutionally tackling diversity-related prospects reflecting broader systemic patterns affecting persistently underrepresented candidates navigating disproportionately impacted landscapes thereby showcasing leadership role optimizations enroute improving larger socio-economic accessibilities restructures inclusivity template bolster aspirations substantially deserving innovators reshaped future importantly expanded perspectives cumulatively transformative pivots compliment foundational role constantly influential positive balances expanded-campus-redesign Further celebrating key-convocations amidst-kudos ReadMore