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The programme is being conducted in collaboration with the E&ICT Academy, NIT Patna with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
The one week FDP marked the launch of HimClimX (Himalayan Climate Explorer) an advanced climate intelligence and visualization platform developed under the Himalayan Climate Research Initiative at the Applied Data Science Lab, QEDS, BIT Mesra.
The platform integrates over a century of climate records across Himalayan elevation zones and offers capabilities such as climate trend analysis, anomaly detection, spatial visualization, impact assessment, and AI-driven forecasting. The platform has been developed by Mr. Neeraj K. Maurya, Mr. Navneet Kumar and Mr. Bhola Mahto, reflecting the department’s commitment to research-led technological innovation.
Dr. Anup Kumar Das, Scientist SG and Head of Division, Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO Ahmedabad, graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest. The programme is being conducted under the leadership of Prof. Indranil Manna, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, BIT Mesra. Among those present were Prof. Ashoke Sharan, Dean of Faculty Affairs; Prof. Raju Poddar, Dean of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Prof. Vandana Bhattacharjee, Head of QEDS; Dr. Manish K. Pandey, Coordinator of AI-HYDA 2026 and Dr. Ratnesh Mishra and Mr. Abhay Kumar, Co-Coordinators of the programme.
The inaugural session commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp followed by the BIT Prayer. Welcoming participants, Prof. Vandana spoke about the growing role of artificial intelligence and data-driven methodologies in addressing scientific, environmental and societal challenges. Dr. Manish K. Pandey then presented an overview of AI-HYDA 2026, outlining its objectives, thematic focus, and opportunities for capacity building in hyperspectral data analytics.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ashoke Sharan reflected on BIT Mesra’s legacy of academic excellence and innovation, while Prof. Raju Poddar emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research ecosystems for tackling global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.
In his keynote address, Dr. Anup Kumar Das spoke about emerging developments in Earth observation and geospatial analytics with particular emphasis on NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), the joint Earth observation mission developed by NASA and ISRO. He noted that the mission's advanced radar imaging capabilities would support high-resolution monitoring of glaciers, forests, agricultural systems, ecosystems and natural hazards.
“The future of Earth observation lies not only in acquiring high-quality satellite data but also in developing the analytical capabilities to interpret it effectively. With emerging missions such as NISAR set to expand our understanding of environmental processes, there is a growing need for researchers and educators who can combine remote sensing, geospatial science and artificial intelligence to generate meaningful societal impact,” he said.
The inaugural day also featured technical sessions by eminent experts. Prof. P. K. Garg of IIT Roorkee delivered an insightful lecture on hyperspectral imaging, covering its applications, opportunities and emerging challenges. Dr. Dileep K. Singh from the Department of Physics, BIT Mesra, conducted a session on the electromagnetic spectrum and sensor technologies, providing participants with a strong conceptual foundation in remote sensing and data acquisition systems.
The programme has attracted around 90 participants, including faculty members, researchers, and scholars from institutions across the country. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Abhay Kumar. The inaugural session was hosted by Ms. Riya Pandey and Mr. Parth Suryadhwaj.
With its focus on artificial intelligence, climate intelligence, hyperspectral analytics, remote sensing, and interdisciplinary research, AI-HYDA 2026 is poised to become a significant platform for knowledge exchange and innovation, fostering collaboration among academicians, scientists and young researchers working at the intersection of data science and environmental sustainability.
