M’luru: Workshop on project selection, AI-based literature review, funding schemes held at BIT
Mangaluru: A workshop on “Project Selection, Literature Review Using AI Tools and Funding Schemes” was organised by the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at Bearys Institute of Technology, Mangalore, in association with the IQAC R&D Cell and the BIT IEEE student branch on March 16, 2026, at the International Seminar Hall.
The event was held under the patronage of Director Dr. S I Manjur Basha, who addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of research and innovation in engineering education. The workshop began at 10:30 AM with technical sessions led by resource persons Dr. Imran Mokashi, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Altamashuddin Khan Nadeemallah, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering.
Dr. Imran Mokashi initiated the session by explaining various funding schemes available for student projects and research initiatives. He spoke about government grants, institutional support, and private funding opportunities, and guided students on proposal writing, documentation, and the process of approaching funding agencies. He also explained how to prepare effective project proposals to secure financial support.
Dr. Altamashuddin Khan conducted a session on the use of AI-powered tools for literature review. He demonstrated the use of tools such as ChatGPT and other research assistance platforms, showing students how to identify relevant research papers, analyse trends, and organise information from multiple sources.
The workshop saw the participation of 85 students from Mechanical, Civil, ECE, and AI&DS Engineering departments, along with three faculty members.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks. 
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Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat
Washington (AP): Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Kent said on social media Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.
Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself from a conspiracy theory that federal agents instigated the January 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump, a Republican, won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.
Democrats grilled Kent on his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trump's national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.
Still, Republicans praised Kent's counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience.
Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
