Giving encouragement to Innovation is a culture at Sri Sri University
(On the World Intellectual Property day on 26th April, 2020, It is a privilege to interview Prof. Bhagirathi Nayak who has an experience of more than two decades in the field of Computer Science and Engineering, Academics, Administration, Database Designer, Developer, and Pedagogical Activities. He started his career from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. Prof.Nayak did his undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral degree in Computer Science. He is presently working in Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha, India as a Professor, Program Coordinator of MBA, and member of University Digital Infrastructure Committee. He published more than forty articles in reputed International Journals and has written four books that were published in Macmillan and Allied Publishers. He has also obtained seven patents in the area of Computer Science and Engineering. Prof. Nayak won the prestigious Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Professional Excellence Award in Data Science from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Research Centre. He was also awarded “Best Professor of Data Science in Odisha”, India Education Award 2019 at Bangalore.
For his significant contribution to Data Science, he was awarded the “Best Researcher”, in Technological Conclave 2019, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He has also been awarded the “Research and Innovation Award of the Year” on the occasion of National Summit 2020 on 17th January 2020 at New Delhi. His award was recognition for the work he is undertaking in industry-academia engagement, popularizing Data Science and making Business Analytics accessible to the students and industry leaders. Four scholars have been awarded Ph.D and six are undergoing the study under his supervision. A partial listing of his projects includes, Bioinformatics of Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Department of MSME and Paradip Port Trust, Odisha. His areas of research interest lies in Data Mining, Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. – Interviewed by Dr. Vijaya Lakshmi Mohanty, Head (PR & CSO), Associate Prof.-FMS, Sri Sri University)
Q: A big congratulations to you Prof. Bhagirathi Nayak on your achievements especially on patents. How are you and where are you during the lockdown period?
Thank you Dr Mohanty. I am safe. Just before the lockdown was announced, I had come to my former Institute, IIT Kharagpur for some work and I am continuing to work from home here. In my present Organization at Sri Sri University, Odisha all the team members are working from home.
Q: How do you see Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) taking over in management practice in the coming years?
A: The dynamics of marketing strategies for several businesses shaped the inventions artificial intelligence and machine learning. Data is the new oil and it is the prime mover on business decisions. AI and ML are at the forefront to market goods and services to consumers due to the recent emergence of open and inexpensive advanced data analysis tools. The use of AI and ML in marketing is also becoming widely accepted as a necessary step forward in amassing data and optimizing the utilization of it in improving the bottom line..
Some of the major areas in which AI and ML have already been integrated to enhance marketing efforts include, Improving user experience using Chatbots, Making marketing more personalized, Capability to provide the right information at the right time in the right environment, Enhancing the volume of dark social sharing, Content creation guided by predictive intelligence etc.
The examples of some of the big companies that employ AI and ML for their businesses include, Google uses AI for ranking websites; Amazon uses AI & ML for its online stores; Netflix uses it for curating content with the help of predictive analysis tools; Pinterest uses AI&ML for locating content and recommendation algorithms for improving user experience; Yelp uses it for processing images etc. There are many more uses of Commercial ML Platforms to address the marketing requirements of the business houses.
There are an end number of AI-based marketing tools and those are increasing with each passing day. A large number of commercial and native applications, tools and platforms are enveloping frequently in the marketplace. popular ones being, Alexa, AgileOne, Oracle BlueKai, Motiva AI, Ascend, Adobe audience manager, Automated Insights, Sales Force, Einstein, Albert, Cloud Sight.
Q: Tell us about your patents.
Over the last two years, I have made seven patents and published it. I did my patents with the help of a group of faculty members and engineers. They are from Mechanical and Electronics and Communication Engineering from various Universities and Colleges of India. The areas of the patents are general engineering, computer science, and biomedical engineering. A partial listing includes the following:
- Real-Time Monitoring & Prediction System for Human Health Care Parameters Using IoT Sensors.
- Method for Detection and Restoration of the Crack Digital Images.
- Computer Implemented Method for Fingerprint Recognition Using Filtering Techniques.
- System for Walking Assistance Device for Visually Impaired Person Using Machine Learning.
- Method for Monitoring Person for Detection of Possibility of Corona Infection.
Q: How did you get inspired to publish patents?
I am very much interested in doing innovative things not only in the computer science area but in related to other fields also. I have been inspired by the founder of my Organization, Poojya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji. Whenever I get a chance to meet him, he encourages and acknowledges my contribution in innovation and research. .It’s also my good fortune that, I get great support from our leadership team which includes President, Ms. Rajita Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh, and Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Management, Prof. P. Srinivas Subbarao, and from all my colleagues.
Q: How your innovations are helpful for the Community?
I urge the manufacturing industry to adopt our innovations to produce low-cost and efficient products for the benefit of society and the nation. The list includes:
- Real-Time Monitoring & Prediction System for Human Health Care Parameters Using IoT Sensors. Here I did a cloud-based system so that through mobile applications one can check health conditions.
- System for Walking Assistance Device for Visually Impaired Person Using Machine Learning. In this system visually impaired people get help with sound and GPRS.
- Computer Implemented Method for Fingerprint Recognition Using Filtering Techniques. In this system I did reduce the filtering of finger print images so that it can run faster.
Q: On the World Intellectual Property day, what is your piece of advice to the budding researcher?
Concentrate more on the innovation that will be helpful in bringing real life solutions. Ethics, Integrity, Perseverance are key values to inculcate and your research should do good for the common man.
Q: Did you face any challenges during the process of patenting?
Treading through challenges paves the way for success. Nothing comes without Tapah (Perseverance) in this world. Needless to say that, we have undergone many challenges during our recent patent on ‘Possibility Corona Detection System’. My research group friends helped me a lot during the ongoing Covid19 lockdown period.
Q: How did you balance your work life?
Good question. It is most important to balance work life, personal life, professional as well as health. I follow the values and life skills techniques taught by Poojya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji. I also do Sahaj Samadhi Dhyan Yoga which enables one to meditate effortlessly. Meditation gives a lot of energy. I spend 8-9 hours in the University for teaching and other administrative work. After that, I spend 2-3 hours for my scholarly work. Then I start my research and innovation after dinner till late night.
Now you can ask me how it is possible every day? Yes it is possible due to Meditation, Sudarshan Kriya and other breathing techniques that I have learnt from The Art of Living. I am also a vegetarian and this is a source of my energy as well. These wonderful life skills techniques are my saving kit which I leant after joining Sri Sri University.
Q: Is working from home a good way to work?
Yes, Work from home saves time and enables one to work more efficiently. However, good internet connectivity plays a pivotal role. It gives more space for innovation.