IIT Gandhinagar to advance research and education in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Virtual Reality with the inauguration of two new labs

Gandhinagar: Taking forward the goal of advancing research and educational excellence in the emerging areas of science and technology and giving impetus to strong research-backed innovations, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) inaugurated two state-of-the-art laboratories on its campus today. The ‘Gordhanbhai B Gelot Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science’ and the ‘Sarita G Gelot Laboratory for Intelligent Rehabilitation & Affective Computing Systems’ were inaugurated by Smt Sarita G Gelot, wife of late Shri Gordhanbhai B Gelot, a generous supporter of IITGN, in presence of their family members.

The ‘Gordhanbhai B Gelot Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science’ will foster a diverse and collaborative ecosystem by bringing together experts from progressive fields of data sciences, machine learning, artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, and other disciplines to promote cutting-edge research. It will facilitate versatile, interdisciplinary conversations, allowing the Institute’s exceptional researchers to innovate and collaborate on novel solutions that drive progress in this rapidly evolving field.

The ‘Sarita G Gelot Laboratory for Intelligent Rehabilitation & Affective Computing Systems’ is dedicated to creating advanced, adaptive, physiology-sensitive virtual reality technologies using cost-effective, hi-tech equipment to deliver innovative, ground-breaking research solutions and promoting their societal dissemination. The interdisciplinary research developed in this lab will aid in rehabilitating patients suffering from post-stroke hemiplegia, Parkinson’s disease, cognitive impairment, autism, and other related conditions.

Earlier, Shri Gordhanbhai had also set up two chairs at the Institute, the ‘B S Gelot Chair’ and the ‘Kankuben Bakshirambhai Gelot Chair’ in honour of his parents to acknowledge exceptional academic achievement and reward ground-breaking research.

Hailing from Umargam in Gujarat, Shri Gordhanbhai B Gelot had inherited deep admiration for education and a thirst for knowledge from his father, Shri Bakshirambhai S Gelot, a self-made and accomplished entrepreneur. Shri Gordhanbhai obtained a postgraduate degree in Industrial Microbiology from Gujarat University and also worked with American and French pharma multinational corporations before setting up a Small Scale Industrial (SSI) unit for ready-to-use clinical microbial analytical tools at GIDC Industrial Estate in Umargam, the closest such estate to Mumbai in Gujarat, and lead it successfully for nearly 50 years.

The event today commemorated Shri Gordhanbhai’s long-standing relationship with IITGN and his unwavering trust in the Institute as a partner in its journey towards educational excellence. The faculty members, who have been awarded the two chairs, also gave an overview of the activities and impact created through the chairs.

Remembering his father and his vision, Mr Nitin Gelot, son of late Shri Gordhanbhai B Gelot, said, “Today’s occasion is a happy as well as emotional moment for us because what my father had desired is happening, but he is not with us anymore to see it. He was very passionate about higher education and made four donations in his lifetime, all at IITGN. It is a pleasure to see that his contributions are starting to bear fruits in the form of extraordinary research and innovation. The environment and infrastructure at IITGN are world-class, and we are very happy that our family’s contribution is in the right place and are excited to see how things develop further.”

Appreciating the generous and continued support by late Shri Gordhanbhai and his family members, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, said, “It is a matter of honour to host you for the inauguration of two labs that will prove to be a significant force in these emerging areas of science and technology in the time to come. Shri Gordhanbhai is not with us today, but the footprints he has left fill the void. There is no dearth of talent in India, but we need more resources to advance science and technology research. The generous support for cutting-edge research extended by philanthropists like Shri Gordhanbhai shall prove to be really helpful in advancing the Institute and ultimately our society.”