IIT Madras and NIOT bring OCEANS Conference, the Bi-Annual event of Global Marine Researchers, to India for the First Time
CHENNAI : Indian Institute of Technology Madras and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, are organizing OCEANS 2022 Conference and Exposition, the Bi-annual event for Global Marine Researchers, technologists and engineers, students, and policymakers, from 21st to 24th February 2022.
This conference is being organized in India for the first time and is being coordinated by the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras.
They are organizing the event on behalf of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Ocean Engineering Society (IEEE OES) and Marine Technology Society (MTS). The Conference is being held in Hybrid Mode.
This event is for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate, and lead in the protection and utilization of the world’s largest natural resource – Oceans.
‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is the main theme of the conference. The delegates will be sharing their experiences on topics related to climate change, global warming, vagaries of weather, combating coastal erosion, marine pollution and microplastics through nearly 400 presentations.
Congratulating NIOT and IIT Madras for getting this prestigious conference to India, Mr. Madhu Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, told the Inaugural Session, “It is also heartening to note that this Conference has been dovetailed into ‘UN Decade of Ocean events.’ We will discuss this over the next three days. The Key Theme of ‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is also important for todays’ Generation, which is extremely connected to the environment and speaks clearly about sustainability. The Human kind will have to inspire and innovate. We will have to create technologies and solutions that are for the larger good for human kind and the world in a sustainable manner. Ocean Mining should not be about exploitation but utilization.”
Further, Mr. Madhu Nair said, “Hydrogen will be the fuel of the future and to produce hydrogen, you need a lot of energy. Defence will still continue to be very strong through control of the seas and protection of the homeland. From a technological point of view, defence could be leading many of the technologies. Researchers, scientists and engineers can talk seamlessly with policymakers and industry and create a strong connect. Forums like this can create connect with Industry and Policymakers.”
The conference will also highlight how ‘UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development’ is attempting to reduce the impacts of climate change through renewable energies – offshore wind, wave, OTEC and other forms of alternate sources of energy.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Chief Executive, IIT Madras Research Park, which is hosting the Event, said, “After Solar and Wind, Oceans are the third source of energy. India is surrounded by oceans and will need this third source of energy. We need to figure out how electricity can be generated from a small wave as current technologies only allow for energy generation from large waves. IIT Madras and the IITMRP will be delighted to work with the stakeholders in this area. One of IIT Madras incubated Start-up Planys Technologies is making small underwater vehicles for exploring the ocean and has been doing great work.”
Researchers and industrial leaders gather for four days to highlight, discuss and exchange relevant topics and current trends in marine technologies. This will help in creating awareness on advanced research areas, practices, and policies for the marine field
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Christopher Whitt, President, IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, said, “For over 50 years, OCEAN Conference has been singularly important for people working on ocean-related technologies. The plenary session includes top people in the fields of climate change and other areas. We have 40 companies from around the globe showcasing their technologies in the exhibition, being held along with this conference. We are sure this will be one of the most memorable OCEAN Conference in recent times.”
This prestigious conference and exhibition is expected draw an audience of more than 500 attendees.
Dr. G A Ramadass Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, said, “We had waited 12 years to host OCEANS Conference in Chennai but the wait has been worth and the timing has been great. The UN has declared this as the ‘Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable development.’ The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has allocated US$ 530 million Budget for deep ocean exploration. The Government of India has mandated NIOT to design, develop and demonstrate technologies for sustainable exploration and utilization of Ocean Resources. Our first project was with IIT Madras on extraction of energy from oceans, which was successful. We had also developed three desalination plants for the Lakshadweep Islands and based on their success, we are erecting six more.”
Speaking earlier, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “OCEANS 2022 is an Institute by itself, touching on a broad array for areas. It is strongly inter-disciplinary in nature and that has also been a core focus for IIT Madras in the past decade. IIT Madras is very committed to development of Ocean Technology. We are setting up a large ocean centre at our Satellite campus – Discovery – in Thaiyur (Near Chennai). It will be ready shortly for large-scale research. We are all committed for development state-of-the-art ocean technologies. Our Ocean Engineering Department along with NIOT are making the right moves towards developing new technologies.”
Apart from the technical paper presentations, tutorials, social and networking opportunities, and professional field trips, OCEANS 2022 will provide the delegates an insight on evolving technology and knowledge in the areas of:
Ø UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable development
Ø Underwater Acoustics and Acoustical Oceanography
Ø Sonar signal / image processing and communication
Ø Ocean Observing Platforms; systems and instrumentation
Ø Remote Sensing
Ø Ocean Data Visualization, Modelling, and Information Management
Ø Marine Environment, Oceanography and Meteorology
Ø Optics, Imaging, Vision and EM Systems
Ø Marine Law, Policy, Management, and Education
Ø Offshore Structures and Technology
Ø Ocean Vehicles and Floating Structures
Ø Petroleum Engineering
Over 500 professionally reviewed technical papers, including sessions focused on local themes, are being presented during this Conference. Plenary sessions with leaders from industry, academia, the military and government have also been scheduled. There are over 40 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in products and services across the globe.
Dr. M.A. Atmanand and Dr. S.A. Sannasiraj, Professors of IIT Madras, are the General co-Chairs for OCEANS 2022. Dr. K. Murali, Head and Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras and Dr Tata Sudhakar, Scientist G, National Institute of Ocean Technology are the Finance Chairs of the Conference. It was a joint effort by the team for nearly 10 years that brought Oceans 2022 to Chennai.
A student poster session featuring outstanding projects from around the world and other student activities is also being organized. Tutorials, workshops, product demonstrations, government listening sessions, social and networking opportunities, and professional field trips, besides other activities, have been organized.
The Highlights of OCEAN 2022 Include:
Ø Over 400 professionally reviewed technical papers, including sessions focused on local themes.
Ø Plenary sessions with leaders from industry, academia, the military and government.
Ø 40 exhibitors showcasing latest innovations (products & services) from India & across the globe.
Ø Poster session featuring outstanding projects from around the world, & other student activities.
Ø Panel discussion covering globally trending topics on IPCC report, COP 27, climate change etc.
Ø Exclusive session on “Women in Engineering (WIE).