Mangaluru: Nitte Deemed to be University Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (Nitte DU Centre for IKS) was inaugurated on 19 February 2025, in line with the directives of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The event was graced by Srimadjagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Raghaveshvara Swamiji of Ramachandrapura Mutt, who formally launched the centre. Sri Vinaya Hegde, Chancellor of the university, presided over the function, while Pro-Chancellor Prof. Shantharam Shetty highlighted the importance of promoting Indian culture and ancient knowledge systems. Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. S. Moodithaya welcomed the gathering. Swamiji extended his blessings to the centre and expressed hope that more such institutions would be established to preserve and promote India’s rich value systems.

The primary vision of the Nitte DU Centre for IKS is to foster interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on various aspects of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). It aims to preserve, document, and disseminate India’s traditional knowledge for further research and societal applications.

The centre focuses on several key strategies for effective implementation. Curriculum integration will involve incorporating IKS into mainstream education across disciplines like philosophy, history, social sciences, engineering, and medicine. Research and documentation will encourage interdisciplinary studies to analyze and modernize traditional knowledge. Public awareness campaigns will educate the public on the relevance of IKS in addressing contemporary challenges such as sustainability, health, and mental well-being. Policy support will advocate for government policies that promote IKS in higher education, research, and development programs. Technology integration will leverage AI, data analytics, and digital platforms to preserve and globally disseminate traditional knowledge. Community engagement will involve local, rural, and tribal communities in the practice and preservation of traditional knowledge. Global collaboration will foster partnerships with international academic institutions and platforms to promote India’s knowledge systems on a global scale.

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Bengaluru: The South Zone round of the WAVES VFX Challenge took place today in Bengaluru, organized by the Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI).

The day-long competition brought together talented participants from across southern India, with the goal of selecting top finalists who will go on to represent the region at the national finals next month during the WAVES Summit in Mumbai.

Finalists were selected in three categories:

Student Category

Winner: Soumya Das

Runner-up: Gagan HP

Professional Category

Winner: Mohamad Javeed

Runner-up: S Sai Chandan

Enthusiasts Category

Winner: Gagan Ajai

Over 1,500 entries were received from students, working professionals, and VFX enthusiasts, all centered around the theme “Super Hero Power.” Out of these, 14 entries were shortlisted to compete in today’s final round. One winner and one runner-up from each category were chosen to represent the South Zone in Mumbai.

ABAI Secretary R.K. Chand appreciated the strong participation and encouraged industry professionals to attend the Mumbai summit, which will host well-known personalities from films, advertising, and creative sectors. He also mentioned that the WAVES Challenge was recently launched in Bengaluru by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Sagar Gulati, Director of the School of Creative Design and Information Technology at Jain (Deemed-to-be University), the zonal partner for the competition.

The day also featured two special sessions led by industry experts. Vijay Selvam from the global VFX studio MPC held a masterclass titled “Concept Reality,” where he discussed lighting, animation, compositing, and photorealistic effects. Students got the chance to interact with him during a Q&A session.

Another session was conducted by Rakesh H, Lead Head at The Mill, who spoke about how visual effects are used in advertising. Nearly 100 students attended these sessions, gaining valuable industry insights and learning opportunities.