Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, GITAM Visakhapatnam is one of the best private universities in India. The university aims to impart futuristic and comprehensive education of global standards with a high sense of discipline and social relevance in a serene and invigorating environment.  Read here to know more about the university.

Innovating for Tomorrow: SmartIDEAthon 2023 Inspires Sustainable Solutions in India’s Startup Landscape

GITAM

Date: September 11, 2023

In an exhilarating grand finale of the SmartIDEAthon 2023 — an annual pan-India mega pitch-fest organized by GITAM (Deemed to be University), Director of Venture Development Centre - A pre-incubator and the epicenter for all the startup actions at GITAM.Addressing a vivacious gathering of student entrepreneurs, Ms. Sreedevi Devireddy said, “India's journey on the global innovation index has been an interesting one. While we proudly stand as the 5th largest economy and the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, our 41st rank on the innovation index raises questions.Countries like Switzerland and Sweden shine at the top, showcasing the power of innovation. But here's the exciting part: we possess the demographic dividend and a tech-savvy young population, giving us a unique edge. It's time we channel this potential into transformative innovation, propelling India to the forefront of global creativity and progress. At GITAM, our mission revolves around sparking the flames of innovation and nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit within students. GITAM SmartIDEAthon, is a significant step in this direction.”

Fostering a deep connection to India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, the national-level competition invited undergraduate and postgraduate student innovators and ideation-level ventures to pitch ideas for sustainable and resilient community building, across four themes: Food and health, Toys for STEM, Sustainable Fashion and Frugal Innovation. The ideas were to be built on themes that help build sustainable and resilient communities through innovation.Shortlisted from over 1000 pan-India entries, the finalists refined their pitches in a series of advanced boot camps and personalized mentoring by internationally trained venture coaches. The finale took place in person at GITAM’s Hyderabad campus on August 25, 2023.

It is a collaborative initiative of GITAM Venture Development Centre, StartupIndia, Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education and North Eastern University Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University, Boston.Through GITAM SmartIDEAthon, we're creating an ecosystem that Nurtures creativity, Encourages risk-taking, and Celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship. 

The response this year has been truly overwhelming, with 1007 applications pouring in from all corners of India.After meticulous rounds of shortlisting, we've distilled the pool of talent to 100 student ideas. These young innovators have undergone rigorous online bootcamps and received invaluable mentoring over the last two months.32 exceptional student teams battled it out in the semi-finals and 8 finalists have pitched their ideas for cash prizes and an exceptional opportunity – a trip to Boston. The trip entails a transformative two weeks of mentorship at the North Eastern University, Boston.USA. GITAM SmartIDEAthon – 2023 is about to reach its pinnacle! 

Winning Team takes home Rs. 2 lakhs in cash Fully sponsored trip to Boston for both founder and co-founder

Runner-Up Team: wins Rs. 1 lakh in cash Partially sponsored trip to Boston

Best Social Impact Team: wins Rs.50,000 in cash and Fully sponsored trip to Boston

Best Women-Led Team: wins Rs.50,000 in cash and Fully sponsored trip to Boston

Popular Choice Award in Memory of Mr. Lebon Johnson: receives Rs. 50,000 in prize money

Mr. Lebon Johnson, a dynamic leader and empathetic soul, laid the foundation of GITAM VDC. His legacy lives on through this award.These rewards not only celebrate the incredible efforts and innovative ideas of the participants but also open doors to invaluable opportunities and experiences in Boston. 

Among the guests present were top entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders, Dr Shanta Thoutam, Chief Innovation Officer, Government of Telangana; Surabhi Gupta, Senior Manager, Startup India; Prof Greg Collier, Director of International Programs NUCEE, Professor of Practice, DMSB E&I Group at Northeastern University; and Prof Ravi Ramamurti University, Distinguished Professor of International Business and Director, Centre for Emerging Markets, Northeastern University. Rajesh Manthena, Chairman Hyderabad Angels, Chandrashekar Sarma, Director, CtrlS data centres, Rashida Adenwala, President TiE- Hyderabad.

GITAM Hosts Workshop on Critical Analysis of 2023 Budget 

GITAM Visakhapatnam

Former Union Minister, Smt. Daggubati Purandeswari, was a keynote speaker at the workshop

Date: February 20, 2023

Visakhapatnam: The Union Budget 2023 focuses on youth power as one of the seven priorities, referred to as Saptarishi by Finance Minister Sri Nirmala Sitharaman in her presentation speech. Taking this agenda forward, a workshop on the critical analysis of the budget was organised at GITAM (deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam. The workshop aims to sensitise the youth about their role in making Bharat a "Viswa Guru" in the next 25 years. 

In her keynote address, former Union Minister, Daggubati Purandeswari said, "The budget document goes beyond the discussion about the government’s revenue and expenditure and seeks to ensure social justice and equality, which reflects the spirit of the Indian Constitution." 

Referring to the next 25 years as the Amrit Kaal, she added, "We achieved our independence 75 years ago. We've got another 25 years to reach the hundredth year of independence. It is this period that Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has addressed as Amrit Kaal. Then is it simply a number? In the words of the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, "It is in these 25 remaining years that we aim to achieve equality, reach the last mile, and bridge the gap between rural and urban India."

Citing the IMF report on global economic projections, she said, "Post pandemic, Germany is expected to grow at around 1.4%, France is expected to grow around 1.6%, Japan and the UK are expected to grow around 0.9%, and China is expected to grow around 4.5%. "India, as the IMF had said, is expected to grow around 6.8% this year; even if we reduce it by another 0.4%, it would be 6.4%, which is much more than what the developed countries are going to grow at."

A couple of other schemes that found a mention in her speech include the Mahila Samman Savings Patra, to empower women, the Jan Dhan Yojana, which has brought the banking system closer to the lives of the poor; and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, to invest in the youth population with a special focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, mechatronics, 3D printing, and drone technology. In her speech, the former minister also touched upon the budget allocation for education and the recruitment of 38,800 teachers for 748 Eklavya schools.

Other speakers included Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council member PNV Madhav, ICWAI - Cost Accountant, who discussed government initiatives to improve scientific rigour in the country, such as Atmanirbhar Bharat.He also commented that the computerisation of (primary cooperative agriculture societies (PCAS) is another initiative that is expected to bring a lot of economic benefit to farmers through the interlinking of different PCAS.

Sharing his expert views, Lanka Dinakar, Member of the Union Budget Committee, Andhra Pradesh, said, "The motto of this budget for 2023–24 is Antyodaya. I would like to use the example of the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. During the pandemic, the lockdown created a lot of hardships for people. More than 80 crore are among the poorest of the poor who live across the country.This scheme has been providing food grains to such people for the past 32 months, and it has been extended further for another twelve months in this budget."

In his closing remarks, Mr. Dinakar expressed gratitude to GITAM (deemed to be University) and its president, Mr. M. Sri Bharat, for providing this opportunity, urged students to retain the information shared during such workshops and persevere in being a part of this Amrit Kaal, which will lead Bharat to the number one position. The panel was facilitated by Prof. Y. Gouthama Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Campus Life, GITAM.

About GITAM (Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management)

GITAM was founded in 1980 by an inspired group of eminent intellectuals and industrialists of Andhra Pradesh led by Dr M. V. V. S. Murthi, former Member of Parliament, and popular philanthropist. Located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, it also has campuses in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Collectively, the three campuses have 19 institutions under their wing. Over the years, GITAM has taken part in many social activities and has also produced many renowned personalities. For more information, visit: https://www.gitam.edu/

RAMALINGASWAMI FELLOWSHIP TO GITAM FACULTY

GITAM Visakhapatnam

Date: April 07, 2021

GITAM Deemed to be University Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, Assistant Professor Dr.Sourav Haldar has been selected for prestigious “Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship” awarded by the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, Govt. of India, for the year 2020-2021. 

The Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi has instituted “Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship” for Indian Nationals who are working overseas in various fields of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and life sciences and are interested in taking up scientific research positions in India. The applicant should possess a Ph.D/MD degree with at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in overseas research laboratories. 

Dr. Sourav Haldar works in Membrane Biophysics and Virology; and has been trying to understand how enveloped viruses like Influenza enters the host (human) cells, to develop better antivirals against Influenza. He received his Ph.D. from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad under the guidance of Prof. Amitabha Chattopadhyay. He has carried out his postdoctoral research for 6 years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, USA under the mentorship of Dr. Joshua Zimmerberg. Later he moved to Uppsala University, Sweden to work with Prof. Peter Kasson for one year before joining GITAM Deemed to be University.

GITAM President M.Sribharath, Vice-Chancellor Prof.K.Sivaramakrishna, Dean of Science, Prof.A. Subramayan, Institute of Science Principal Prof.M.Sarathchandra Babu, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics Department Head Prof. Dr. Ch. Surekha appreciated Dr.Sourav Haldar for his achievement. 

GITAM International Conference on “Advances in Chemical Research’’ 

Date: April 06, 2021

To create awareness on the emerging areas of research in chemical sciences GITAM Deemed to be University Institute of Science Chemistry department is organizing a two day international webinar on “Advances in Chemical Research 2021 (ACR2021)”, informed here by webinar Convener Prof.GVR Sharma. The timings of the conference are from 9.15AM to 5.00PM on 19thApril, 2021 and from 7.45AM to 5PM on 20th April 2021, he added. He further mentioned that during the Pandemic from CoronaVirus (COVID-19), in spite of the challenges, the research community continued to share innovations in Science and Technology for Human and environmental sustainability.

He briefed that the main focus of the present conference is directed towards sharing and discussing the latest developments from the fundamentals to the applied aspects of Chemical Research happening around the world. This conference brings together distinguished experts in their respective areas to talk on recent trends and future directions in academic research on materials relevant to basic understanding of Science, health, energy, environment etc. These talks will provide detailed knowledge on the respective fields and will cater to bachelors, masters and PhD students, teachers and researchers.

World top Scientists attending as Resource persons:

Internationally reputed academicians and scientists will be giving distinguished talks on different areas of current chemical research useful for the benefit of the society. Some of the eminent personalities participating in the conference are Prof. G. Mehta, FRS from University of Hyderabad; Prof. Viresh Rawal from University of Chicago,USA; Prof. P.V. Ramachandran from Purdue University, USA; Prof. Ulrike Holzgrabe from University of Würzuburg, Germany; Prof. W. D. Fessner from Dramstadt University, Germany; Prof. Nick Greeves from Liverpool University, UK; Prof. G. Ranga Rao from IITM, Chennai; Prof. K.R. Prasad from IISc, Bengaluru; Prof. J.N. Moorthy, Director- IISER Trivandrum; Dr. Venkata Palle (one of the 100 task force member team of PM to combat COVID19) from Lupin Discovery, Pune; Prof. Santosh Gharpure from IIT Mumbai;  Prof. V. Jayathirtha Rao, IICT-Hyderabad; and Dr. T. Jagadeeswar Reddy, University of Montreal, Canada.