Expressnews
Kattankulathur, April 27, 2026:
The SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), through the Department of Networking and Communications, School of Computing, marked a significant milestone in advancing next-generation technologies with the inauguration of the Centre for Internet of Things (IoT) on its Kattankulathur campus. The centre has been established in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Bengaluru.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Techpark-1 in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Shri Shrikrishna S Chippalkatti, Scientist–E, CDAC Bengaluru; Dr. M. Leenus Jesu Martin, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), SRMIST; Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Chairperson, School of Computing; and Dr. M. Lakshmi, Head, Department of Networking and Communications, along with faculty members, researchers, and students.
The Centre for IoT aims to serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, innovation, skill development, and industry collaboration, focusing on areas such as embedded systems, IoT security, edge AI, and indigenous hardware design. The initiative is aligned with national priorities to strengthen indigenous technological capabilities and foster industry-ready talent.
Shri Shrikrishna S Chippalkatti highlighted CDAC’s long-standing expertise in the domain and the significance of indigenous innovation. “Our journey in this domain began over two decades ago under ubiquitous computing, evolving into today’s IoT ecosystem. The technologies and kits introduced here are indigenously designed—from hardware to software—enabling deep research, innovation, and product engineering. Through this collaboration, we aim to handhold students and faculty in developing industry-relevant solutions, while also advancing critical areas such as IoT security, embedded AI, and indigenous processor technologies,” he said.
Dr. M. Leenus Jesu Martin, emphasised the vision of transforming the centre into a Centre of Excellence through impactful contributions. “This initiative marks the beginning of a transformative journey. The true strength of this centre lies in its ability to deliver application-oriented projects and visible outcomes. With sustained efforts from faculty and students, and strong industry engagement, we are confident that this centre will soon evolve into a Centre of Excellence, setting benchmarks in innovation and research,” he said.
Dr. Revathi Venkataraman underscored the importance of translating research into tangible outcomes. “The focus must be on moving from ideas to impactful products and prototypes. By strengthening industry collaborations and enabling technology transfer, this centre has the potential to evolve into a sustainable innovation ecosystem—one that not only drives research but also generates real-world impact and opportunities for students,” she said.
Dr. M. Lakshmi highlighted the strategic importance of the centre for academic and research growth. “The establishment of the Centre for IoT, in association with CDAC, is a significant step towards strengthening our capabilities in research, innovation, and skill development. This facility will serve as a platform for students and faculty to explore emerging technologies and contribute meaningfully to the evolving IoT landscape,” she said.
The centre will host structured training programmes, including Management Development Programmes (MDPs) and boot camps, designed in consultation with industry experts to ensure alignment with real-world requirements. It will also facilitate hands-on experimentation, interdisciplinary research, and product development, encouraging students to build minimum viable products (MVPs) and scalable solutions.
With a strong emphasis on indigenous technology development, cybersecurity in IoT, and edge intelligence, the Centre for IoT is poised to become a catalyst for innovation at SRMIST and beyond.
