Sri Aurobindo Institute of Technology Organizes AICTE-ATAL Faculty Development Program on Drones for Sustainable Innovation

Sri Aurobindo Institute of Technology (SAIT), Indore, successfully organized a one-week Faculty Development Program (FDP) sponsored by the AICTE-ATAL Academy on “Drones for Sustainable Innovation: Advancing Autonomous Technologies” from October 6 to October 11, 2025.

The program brought together more than 100 faculty members and research scholars from AICTE-approved institutions. It aimed to build awareness and knowledge about the growing role of drone technology in sustainable innovation and autonomous systems.

Purpose and Objectives

The FDP was designed to help faculty and researchers understand the latest developments in drone technology, its applications in different fields, and its potential to support sustainable growth.

Under the leadership of Dr. Aaquil Bunglowala, Director, SAIT, and Mr. Ranvijay Parmar, Assistant Professor (Co-Coordinator), the event focused on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Edge Computing in drone systems.

Experts and Key Sessions

The program featured interactive lectures and practical sessions conducted by experts from leading academic and industrial institutions.
Some of the distinguished speakers included:

• Dr. Sonali Chauhan, Professor, IIT Guwahati
• Dr. Tarachand Amgoth, Professor, IIT Dhanbad
• Mr. Satish Thakare, CTO, Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Mr. Abhishek Mishra, CEO, Pisarv Technologies
• Mr. Prayas Saxena, Founder, Skylane Dronetech Pvt. Ltd.
• Dr. Archana Bhise, Professor, NMIMS Mumbai
• Mr. Akash Agrawal, VP, LambdaTest
• Mr. Gaurav Goyal, Assistant Director, MSME, Indore

Each session provided valuable insights into topics such as AI and IoT integration for drones, precision agriculture, edge computing, MATLAB simulations, drone regulations, and open science practices.

Major Highlights of the Week

Understanding the Future of UAVs: Mr. Satish Thakare explained the advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their applications in various sectors.

Drones in Agriculture: Mr. Prayas Saxena shared how drones are transforming modern farming through precision spraying and crop monitoring.

AI and IoT in Drone Systems: Dr. Tarachand Amgoth demonstrated how AI-based analytics and IoT technologies improve drone autonomy and data processing.

Edge Computing for Smart Drones: Dr. Sonali Chauhan discussed sustainable drone operations using Multi-Access Edge Computing.

Madhya Pradesh Drone Policy 2025: Mr. Gaurav Goyal outlined the state government’s new policy to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in drone technology.

Indigenous Innovation: Mr. Abhishek Mishra presented NabhRakshak 1.0, a drone designed for defense and rescue operations under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Open Science and Research: Dr. Archana Bhise introduced the FAIR principles, encouraging researchers to make data more findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

Industrial Visit to Scientech Technologies

A special highlight of the program was an industrial visit to Scientech Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Indore, where participants observed the design, testing, and production of drones. They learned about advanced flight controllers, AI-based automation, and the integration of sensors and IoT devices in UAV systems.

The visit helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications and gave participants a clear view of how drone innovations move from research to industry.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the FDP, participants had:

Gained an understanding of drone design, components, and flight control

Learned how AI, IoT, and Edge Computing improve drone performance

Used MATLAB simulations to study drone behavior and stability

Explored applications of drones in agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management

Understood government policies, ethical practices, and sustainability aspects

Recognized how drone technology supports India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat

Valedictory Session

The closing ceremony brought together all speakers, participants, and organizers.
Dr. Aaquil Bunglowala thanked the AICTE-ATAL Academy, all resource persons, and the management of SAIT, Indore, for their support and contribution.

Participants shared positive feedback, highlighting how the FDP enhanced their technical knowledge and inspired them to explore new research areas in drone technology. The program concluded on a note of enthusiasm and collaboration, reflecting SAIT’s ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, sustainability, and academic excellence.

Conclusion

The Faculty Development Program at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Technology demonstrated how academia and industry can work together to advance knowledge in emerging technologies. Through expert guidance, practical learning, and exposure to real-world systems, the FDP equipped participants with the skills and insights needed to lead future innovations in the field of autonomous drones.