IIT (ISM) Dhanbad hosts 2-day 'IInvenTiv 2026' research, development fair

DHANBAD: The two-day R&D fair 'IInvenTiv 2026' concluded at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad on Tuesday, with focus on innovation, collaboration and digital health. The concluding day brought together thought leaders, academics, policymakers, startups and industry representatives, reinforcing India's growing strength as a global innovation hub, a press statement by the institute said.

IIT Madras director V Kamakoti emphasised the need to build a robust innovation and startup ecosystem during an interactive session.

Sharing IIT Madras' model, he elaborated on its strong ecosystem of research, intellectual property generation and startup incubation, encouraging students to embrace interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship. The chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority, Dr Sunil Kumar Barnwal, delivered a lecture on 'Building the Blueprint for a Digital Health Nation.'

He underlined that even though emerging technologies hold immense promise, their large-scale adoption depends on overcoming behavioural barriers, legacy systems and capacity constraints.

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IIT (ISM) Dhanbad: IInvenTiv 2026

Highlighting the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, he spoke about its core pillars -- ABHA-based digital identity, seamless data exchange and a unified health interface --aimed at ensuring secure, interoperable and patient-centric healthcare.

The day also featured a visit by dignitaries to the underground mines of Munidih (BCCL), offering first-hand exposure to mining operations. The programme also included theme-wise academia-to-business (A2B) matchmaking and pitching sessions, fostering deeper collaboration between researchers and industry.

Addressing the valedictory session, Prof Parthasarathi Das, dean (R&D) and convenor of IInvenTiv 2026, highlighted the institute's evolving R&D ecosystem integrating academia, industry, investors and startups.

Marking the institute's centenary year, IIT (ISM) director Prof Sukumar Mishra described IInvenTiv 2026 as a milestone that showcases the institution's capabilities and future potential, while appreciating the active engagement of venture capitalists and startups.