By Organising Chair, Dr. Tripura Pidikiti, IEEE IES Standing Membership Development Committee Member

 

Empowering Innovation Through Collaboration, Volunteer Spirit, and Global Connectivity

Date: 6-7 August 2025
Venue: Hyderabad, India

The IEEE IES Industrial Innovation Conclave (I4C) 2025, organized by the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) and the IEEE Hyderabad Section, brought together an inspiring mix of academics, professionals, and industry leaders to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), industrial automation, and emerging technologies.

With its engaging sessions, hands-on workshops, mentoring opportunities, and industry tours, the conclave became a vibrant hub of innovation, knowledge exchange, and volunteer-driven collaboration.

I4C perfectly reflects the evolving spirit of IES, inspired by President Milos Manic: “One IES”, a globally connected yet locally empowered community.

A Celebration of Volunteer Engagement and Local Leadership

The success of I4C 2025 was made possible through the exceptional leadership of Dr. Tripura Pidikiti, Lead Organizer, and the dedicated support of Event Technical Head Dr. Srinivasa Kishore Babu Yadlapati and IES Hyderabad Section Chapter student volunteers; Mr. Madhav Negi, Past Chair of the IES Chapter, Hyderabad Section; Mr. N. Venkatesh, Secretary of IEEE Hyderabad Section; and Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayaka, representative of the IEEE IES Industry Activities Committee (IAC).

 

 

From the graceful inaugural dance performance by Diya and Sadhana Yadlapati to the meticulous coordination of sessions, workshops, and tours, the conclave showcased the energy, dedication, and teamwork of the local IEEE IES volunteers. Their commitment ensured that every element of I4C 2025 — from the AI Design Contest to the mentorship sessions — reflected the Society’s values of service, inclusivity, and excellence.

 

 

 

 

Bridging Academia and Industry: Regional Collaboration in Action

I4C 2025 served as a dynamic platform where academia, industry, and startups converged to discuss and co-create solutions for the industries of tomorrow. With over 80 participants — including students, researchers, and professionals — the conclave offered rich interactions across multiple dimensions of industrial innovation.

 

 

 

Key highlights included:

  • Expert Talks exploring AI in smart cities, healthcare, manufacturing, and the energy sector, delivered by professionals from General Electric, Silicon Labs, IIIT Hyderabad, Asthra AI, and Innodatatics.

  • Hands-on AI Workshops, led by Dr. Richa Singh (MathWorks) and Ms. Divya Chilukoti (Silicon Labs), which guided participants through the entire AI development lifecycle — from concept to deployment on edge devices.

  • Speed Mentoring sessions featuring experts such as Mr. Madhav Negi, Dr. P.V. Raja Gopal, Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayaka, and others, connecting participants with mentors for career guidance and industry insights.

  • AI Design Contest, showcasing creative, real-world AI applications by young innovators, with 37 submissions and 6 finalists presenting their solutions to a panel of judges.

Each activity demonstrated how regional IEEE IES chapters can bridge the gap between academic innovation and industrial application, reinforcing the Society’s mission to foster sustainable, technology-driven growth.

A Global Vision, Locally Empowered

Throughout the event, distinguished IEEE IES and IEEE MGA leaders provided powerful reminders of the Society’s global mission and local empowerment strategy.

  • Prof. Milos Manic, President of IES, highlighted in his keynote on “Future Trends in Industrial Electronics”, the Society’s strength lies in its members and volunteers who drive progress not only through innovation, but through a shared purpose of advancing technology for humanity.
  • Prof. Akshay Rathore, IEEE IES AdCom Member-at-Large, presented a global perspective on how IES is driving advancements in automation, energy systems, and intelligent manufacturing worldwide, while inspiring local chapters to align with international initiatives.
  • Prof. Antonio Luque, IEEE Vice President for Member and Geographic Activities (MGA), emphasized the essential role of member engagement and volunteerism in IEEE’s impact, underscoring how events like I4C 2025 empower professionals and students to grow, connect, and contribute meaningfully to society.
  • Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayaka, through his IAC address and technical sessions, illustrated the importance of cross-border collaboration and the IES Hubs & Nodes model. Launched under the visionary leadership of Prof. Milos Manic, it strengthen regional ecosystems while maintaining a unified global framework for innovation.

These perspectives reinforced how IEEE IES continues to evolve as a globally connected network of locally active innovators, ensuring that growth is measured not just in numbers, but in impact, continuity, and shared purpose.

Industry Engagement and Experiential Learning

Beyond the sessions, I4C 2025 offered participants immersive experiences through industry tours to Hyderabad’s premier innovation centers — T-Hub and T-Works. These visits provided firsthand exposure to state-of-the-art prototyping, testing, and fabrication facilities across 3D printing, ceramics, textiles, electronics, and metal workshops.

Participants witnessed how collaborative spaces like T-Works enable startups, researchers, and industries to prototype, experiment, and bring ideas to life, embodying the same collaborative ethos that IEEE IES promotes worldwide.

Interactive activities — such as networking games, AI crossword challenges, and informal discussions — further encouraged cross-disciplinary exchange and community building, reinforcing the conclave’s human-centered approach to innovation.

Building the Future, Together

As the conclave drew to a close, heartfelt reflections were shared by Dr. Tripura Pidikiti, Mr. N. Venkatesh, Mr. Madhav Negi, and Mr. Kavinga Upul Ekanayaka, who celebrated the event’s success and the tireless efforts of volunteers, speakers, and participants.

Their collective message echoed a powerful truth: the IEEE IES Industrial Innovation Conclave is more than a technical gathering — it is a movement of collaboration, mentorship, and shared vision.

 

 

By fostering meaningful engagement between academia and industry, empowering young innovators, and nurturing local leadership under a global framework, I4C 2025 stands as a model of how IEEE IES is shaping the next generation of industrial innovation — globally connected, locally empowered, and driven by volunteer passion.

 

Lead Organizer:
Dr. Tripura Pidikiti
IEEE IES Industrial Innovation Conclave (I4C) 2025