‘We will nurture excellence’

IIT-Ropar director Professor Rajeev Ahuja is one of the most highly cited researchers as well as one of the top materials scientists in Sweden and India. He is a Professor of Computational Materials Science primarily researching batteries, hydrogen storage and production, sensors, and high-pressure physics.

He previously worked as Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden for more than 30 years. He also has more than 1,000 scientific publications in high-ranking international journals accumulating more than 41,000 citations. Professor Ahuja talks about the growth trajectory of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the societal pressure faced by engineering students as well as his interesting research projects in an interaction with Parwinder Sandhu of The Statesman.

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Q. Since your appointment as Director in April 2021, what have been your key priorities in steering IIT Ropar’s growth?

A: My focus has been on transforming the institute into a globally recognized center for excellence in education, research, and innovation. We have strengthened our research ecosystem with major initiatives like ANNAM.AI and the PAIR grant, expanded industry linkages through collaborations with defence bodies and regulatory agencies, and launched forward-looking programmes such as a universal AI minor and new undergraduate degrees in Digital Agriculture and IC Technology. These efforts are backed by a strong commitment to inclusivity, global engagement, and societal impact – reflected in our rise in international rankings and our initiatives in sustainability, community outreach, and regional development. Our journey has been one of purposeful growth, with education and research at its heart, serving both national needs and global challenges.

Q. How do you envision IIT Ropar’s role in India’s evolving higher education landscape, especially among the newer IITs?

A: IIT Ropar sees itself as more than just an institute and we want to become a transformative force in changing India’s higher education scenario. Even though we are striving towards improving our infrastructure and rankings, we are equally committed to innovation, inclusivity, and bringing a meaningful social impact. Based in Punjab, we have an edge to address regional challenges pertaining to agriculture, defence, and water management. Initiatives like ANNAM.AI reflect this mission. As a young IIT, we do not see or present ourselves as competitors. Instead, we focus on building bonds through collaboration with other institutions, industry, and society at large. IIT Ropar intends to be a lighthouse institution that influences not just academic results but also national progress. This is being done through the creation of a model of interdisciplinary learning which empowers students from all backgrounds.

Q. Can you share insights into the interdisciplinary research areas that IIT Ropar is focusing on such as renewable energy and artificial intelligence?

A. Our vision focuses on using interdisciplinary research to tackle real-world problems, whether they are global issues or local challenges. We bring together engineering, science, and social relevance to drive innovation, emphasizing fields like artificial intelligence, clean energy, and rural development. IIT Ropar has a dedicated School of AI and Data Engineering that advances research in areas like deep learning and interpretable AI. We also have the Indo-Taiwan Joint Research Centre to boost global collaboration. In clean energy, our teams are developing next-generation technologies such as hydrogen storage and battery innovation, supported by top-tier research in materials science. Our work in agriculture and water connects closely with the region. We use AI and IoT to address stubble burning, evaluate water quality, and promote smart farming. In healthcare too, we collaborate with institutions like PGIMER and IIT Mandi to create affordable technologies that cater to country-specific needs. We are also establishing a new Centre for Micro and Nano Fabrication to aid innovative research in sensors and devices. Our efforts are supported by our Central Research Facility, which gathers experts from various fields

Q. Could you elaborate on the significance of the DST Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Ropar and its impact on agriculture and water technologies?

A. The Department of Science and Technology-supported Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Ropar, AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub), demonstrates our strong conviction that deep-tech innovation can transform lives, particularly in agriculture and water management, two areas that have a direct impact on millions of people around the globe. Established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems, AWaDH brings modern tools like AI and IoT to farmers and rural communities, improving agriculture by making it more efficient, sustainable, and data-driven. We have developed over 70 breakthrough technologies, from smart irrigation systems to nano-bubble oxygenation, and many have already been commercialized in various states. But AWaDH is more than a research hub. It has nurtured over 150 startups, offering incubation, mentorship, and funding. More than 3,000 professionals have been trained in cyber-physical systems, and the hub has contributed to over 8000 job opportunities. This showcases how innovation can truly empower people from the ground up. Our work also covers water quality, stubble management, and soil health, key areas in the field of agriculture today. At IIT Ropar, we create solutions that have both environmental and social benefits. It has generated over 150 publications, 20+ patents, and 9 industrial designs, AWaDH has laid the groundwork for our new AI Centre of Excellence.

Q. In recent discussions, you have highlighted the societal pressures faced by students. What initiatives has IIT Ropar undertaken to support student mental health and well-being?

A. At IIT Ropar, student mental health and well-being are treated as foundational pillars of our academic ecosystem – not as an afterthought. Recognizing the societal pressures and emotional challenges students face, we have implemented a multilayered support system that is proactive, compassionate, and inclusive. Through the Snehita Wellbeing Cell, students, faculty, and staff can access confidential counseling from trained psychologists, along with a peer buddy system. We emphasize early detection, with faculty and mentors watching for signs of distress. We are also developing digital platforms to ensure 24/7 access to help. We hold regular workshops on emotional resilience and mental health awareness, aimed at students, faculty, and caretakers, to promote a campus culture built on empathy. We are working with organizations like NIMHANS and AIIMS to strengthen our approach with evidence-based practices. Our initiatives are designed to assure students that IIT Ropar is not just an academic institution—it is a community that genuinely cares for their wellbeing, growth, and happiness.

Q. How does IIT Ropar integrate practical learning and industry exposure into its curriculum to prepare students for real-world challenges?

A. At IIT Ropar, practical learning and industry exposure are seamlessly woven into the academic fabric to ensure students are equipped for realworld challenges. Our curriculum is designed not just to impart theoretical knowledge, but to cultivate hands-on skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and professional readiness. Hands-on learning is at the heart of our academic approach. Every programme integrates lab work, design projects, and capstone experiences that reflect real-world problem-solving and industry practices. We offer industry-certified courses with partners like NIELIT and TCS iON in areas such as AI and cybersecurity, ensuring students gain practical skills through live projects and mentorship. Structured internships with organizations like DRDO, CSIR, and leading startups expose students to cutting-edge technologies and professional settings. Through our incubators—TBI and iHub-AWaDH—students tackle real-world issues in agriculture and sustainability, with many turning ideas into startups.

Q. What are your strategic goals for IIT Ropar in the next five years, particularly concerning research output and global rankings?

A. Over the next five years, our strategic goals are anchored in elevating research output, enhancing global rankings, and deepening our societal impact. These goals reflect our commitment to becoming a globally recognized institution that leads with innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. We aim to double our annual research publications, with a strong emphasis on high-impact journals and interdisciplinary collaborations. Our focus will be on frontier areas such as quantum technologies, hydrogen energy, AI for social good, and sustainable agriculture. Building on our recent ascent to the 12th position in the IIRF 2025 rankings, we plan to further improve our standing in global indices. Our five-year roadmap is not just about numbers – it’s about nurturing a culture of excellence, curiosity, and impact. IIT Ropar will continue to be a lighthouse institution, illuminating pathways for transformative education and research.