Shillong, October 31 :A delegation of selected students and faculty members from North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, is participating in the “Bhutan–India Friendship Workshop on Empowering Climate Action: AI, IoT, Robotics, and Artistic Fusion for a Sustainable Indo–Bhutan Future”, being held from October 27 to 31, 2025, at Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC), Dewathang, Bhutan.
The workshop, funded by the India–Bhutan Foundation (IBF), is being led by Prof. Dinesh Bhatia from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, NEHU, who played a key role in securing the collaborative grant.
This international workshop is part of a joint proposal by seven institutions — JNEC Bhutan, Samtse College Bhutan, Sherubtse College Bhutan, College of Science and Technology (CST) Bhutan, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sikkim, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, and NIT Silchar.
The programme brings together students, researchers, and faculty from India and Bhutan for knowledge-sharing and idea exchange on climate change mitigation through advanced technological applications such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotics.
The workshop was inaugurated on October 28, 2025, by G. Ajith Kumar, Consulate General of India to Phuentsholing, Bhutan, in the presence of dignitaries and faculty representatives from both countries.
The event seeks to combine technological innovation with cultural expression, using art and technology as complementary tools to raise awareness and drive solutions for climate change. The programme includes interactive sessions, demonstrations, and a cultural segment highlighting the Indo–Bhutan artistic fusion for climate action.
“Climate change is a global concern that demands multidisciplinary collaboration,” the organisers stated. “While AI, IoT, and robotics enable smart, sustainable solutions, art and culture play an equally vital role in inspiring collective responsibility and public awareness.”
The workshop’s primary goal is to educate and inspire students and young professionals to leverage emerging technologies alongside artistic mediums to advocate for sustainability. Participants are encouraged to develop projects that merge scientific innovation with creative outreach, promoting both technical excellence and social consciousness.
Prof. S. Umdor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NEHU, extended his best wishes to the NEHU delegation and the organisers, lauding the initiative for empowering youth to become change agents in climate action. “Such collaborations foster innovation while instilling a sense of responsibility towards preserving nature and building a sustainable ecosystem for future generations,” he remarked.
