Media Release
Udupi, May 9: The department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) at Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM), Bantakal, witnessed a landmark event on May 5, with the inauguration of ‘Aikya’- the co-curricular wing of AIML department, alongside the launch of a three-day student workshop titled ‘Smart Tech with IoT: Building intelligent and innovative applications’.
Dr Mamatha I, HoD of the AIML department delivered a prelude about the wing, explaining its inception, objectives, and the journey behind its formation.
The name ‘Aikya’, derived from the Sanskrit word for unity, reflects the club's vision to unite students under one platform and empower them to contribute to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning. While ‘AI’ stands for Artificial Intelligence, ‘Ikya’ represents the nature of ‘questioning’ through which the knowledge can improve and new innovations can nurture. The logo is designed to reflect the theme of AIkya with a blend of human and artificial intelligence and the symbol star representing the unity. All the 18 office bearers were introduced during the event.
Proceeding further, Megharani, assistant professor, AIML department briefed about the activities planned and provided an insight about the three days workshop on ‘Smart Tech with IoT’. Chief guest Vijay G H, head of Technology, DLithe Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, in his speech, highlighted the significance of IoT in the future of AI-driven technology and encouraged students to host and participate actively in such workshops through the student forums.
Wishing for the success of AIkya, Prof Dr Radhakrishna S Aithal, CEO, Shri Sode Vadiraja Matha Educational Institutions, Udupi who was the guest of honour, spoke about the role of such student-led initiatives in transforming the academic culture of institutions and fostering innovation.
Prof Dr Thirumaleshwara Bhat, principal, SMVITM in his presidential address, appreciated the department’s initiative and reiterated the institution’s support for holistic development of the students. The logo competition winners, Manish and Nishanth, AIkya name suggestor Sanket Hegde, and the tagline ‘Unity in AI, guided by WISDOM’ proposer Nagendra Pai were presented with a token of appreciation.