PUCA Hosts International AI Conference in Chandigarh, Focus on Innovation and Research

An international conference on artificial intelligence and innovation was successfully organized in Chandigarh by the Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) in collaboration with Futred Innovation Studios. The event, themed “Accelerating Research Translation & AI-Driven Innovation Ecosystems aligned to Viksit Bharat Vision,” was held at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The conference was attended by several distinguished personalities. Satnam Singh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The programme was presided over by Anshu Kataria, President of PUCA and Chairman of Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura. The event witnessed participation from a wide spectrum of academicians, industry experts, institutional leaders, and students from various colleges across Punjab. Among the notable attendees were Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet Singh Manna, Dr. Manish Malhotra, Russell Merz, Michael Clements, and Mr. Kamal Chabra, along with representatives from leading universities and industry bodies. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Anshu Kataria emphasized that India is rapidly progressing towards becoming a global knowledge hub. He stressed the need for educational institutions to focus on innovation, commercialization of research, and strong industry partnerships to contribute effectively to the Viksit Bharat Vision. He also highlighted the significant role of private institutions in skill development, entrepreneurship promotion, and youth empowerment. Russell Merz, Founder of Brisbane Strategy Ventures, Australia, delivered an insightful session on global innovation trends and startup ecosystems. He underlined the importance of applied research and entrepreneurship in preparing industry-ready graduates. He also appreciated India’s demographic advantage and encouraged institutions to strengthen international collaborations for technology-driven growth. Emeritus Professor Michael Clements from the College of Practice Professors, Australia, spoke about transforming higher education through experiential learning and AI-enabled teaching methodologies. He emphasized that institutions must move beyond theoretical approaches and adopt practical, real-world problem-solving models to enhance employability and innovation outcomes. Adding a cultural and motivational dimension to the event, renowned Punjabi actors Binnu Dhillon and Ammy Virk attended as Special Guests. They interacted with the audience and spoke about their upcoming film Bambukat-2, set to release on February 20. Both artists encouraged youth to remain connected to their roots and uphold justice, emphasizing that dignity is one of the greatest values in life. During the programme, several educational institutions were honored for their contribution to the Punjab Governor Anti-Drug Awareness March held from February 9 to 12 across Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Abohar, and Fazilka. Institutions including Abhishek College, Jain College, Meera College, Guru Ramdas Group of Colleges, Desh Bhagat College, Sant Kabir College, ISF College, SBS College, SFC College, Ferozepur College of Engineering, Amritsar College of Nursing, Mai Bhago College, and Aryans Group of Colleges were recognized for actively supporting the campaign and spreading awareness among youth against drug abuse. The conference concluded with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and industry, and the need to harness artificial intelligence for sustainable growth and national development.