Leh, Sept 18: In a significant boost to technological education and innovation in Ladakh, the University of Ladakh has unveiled its new AWaDH Cyber-Physical System (CPS) Laboratory on its Leh campus.
The inauguration marks a milestone for the university and its community, placing it among an elite network of institutions advancing technological frontiers in India.
The state-of-the-art laboratory was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Mehta, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, during a ceremony attended by distinguished faculty, students, and a visiting delegation from IIT Ropar. Prof. Mehta underscored the transformative impact of the new facility, envisioning it as a hub for education, research, and innovation in the fields of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
“This facility will serve as a crucial platform for our students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to collaborate and develop solutions using cutting-edge technologies. It will foster innovation in critical sectors such as agriculture and water, which are of paramount importance to the region,” Prof. Mehta remarked.
The CPS Lab is a collaborative project between iHub-AWaDH, hosted at IIT Ropar under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS), and the University of Ladakh. iHub-AWaDH, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, is dedicated to fostering deep-tech innovations and supporting startups. The lab aligns with iHub-AWaDH’s mission to promote technological advancements in agriculture and water through CPS, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh, Project Director at IIT Ropar, highlighted the lab’s potential to inspire technological innovation among Ladakhi youth. “We aim to raise awareness about CPS and encourage students to explore its vast applications. This lab will act as a stepping stone for young researchers, startups, and faculty members to develop CPS-based solutions tailored to the unique challenges of Ladakh,” Dr. Singh stated, inviting students to participate in collaborative research and summer internship programs at IIT Ropar.
Equipped with advanced IoT kits from IIT Ropar, the CPS Lab provides students and researchers with 24/7 access to hands-on experimentation with plug-and-play modules. Beyond education, the lab offers prototyping, testing, and consultancy services for entrepreneurs and startups developing smart solutions.
The lab’s offerings include workshops and training sessions to impart practical knowledge in IoT and smart technologies, along with collaborative initiatives with academic and industrial partners; Tools and support for developing and testing IoT applications and devices, allowing for real-world experimentation; Guidance for businesses and organizations looking to implement CPS-based industrial solutions besides Hackathons and events designed to promote creativity and the potential of CPS and IoT within local communities.
Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO of IIT Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Foundation (TIF), emphasized the national significance of the initiative, noting that the Ladakh lab is the seventh CPS lab established under the iHub-AWaDH network. “We are committed to advancing technology development through these labs, equipping students and researchers with the tools needed for excellence in CPS experimentation and contributing to the national technological ecosystem,” Dr. Trikha said.
Dr. Subrat Sharma, Nodal Person and Dean of Research Studies at the University of Ladakh, expressed enthusiasm about the lab’s potential impact. “Our partnership with AWaDH will create a fertile ground for technological advancements in Ladakh. This lab is just the beginning of what promises to be a thriving ecosystem of CPS innovation here,” Dr. Sharma remarked.
The inauguration was followed by an exposure tour of the facility, where attendees, including students from the university’s Kargil campus, had the opportunity to interact with the lab’s equipment and discuss future collaborations.
The establishment of the AWaDH CPS Lab at the University of Ladakh marks a new chapter in the region’s technological landscape, ensuring that local students, researchers, and entrepreneurs have access to cutting-edge resources in the rapidly evolving fields of CPS and IoT.
