Chennai : The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras ( IIT-Madras ) (IIT-M) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)’s OCEANS 2022 Conference and Exposition, the Bi-annual event for Global Marine Researchers, technologists and engineers, students, and policymakers, commenced yesterday and would continue till February 24.
This conference is being organized in India for the first time and is being coordinated by the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras.
They are organizing the event on behalf of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Ocean Engineering Society (IEEE OES) and Marine Technology Society (MTS). The Conference is being held in Hybrid Mode. This event is for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate, and lead in the protection and utilization of the world’s largest natural resource Oceans.
‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is the main theme of the conference. The delegates will be sharing their experiences on topics related to climate change, global warming, vagaries of weather, combating coastal erosion, marine pollution and microplastics through nearly 400 presentations. Congratulating NIOT and IIT Madras for getting this prestigious conference to India, Mr. Madhu Nair, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, told the Inaugural Session, “It is also heartening to note that this Conference has been dovetailed into ‘UN Decade of Ocean events.’ We will discuss this over the next three days.
The Key Theme of ‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is also important for todays’ Generation, which is extremely connected to the environment and speaks clearly about sustainability. The Human kind will have to inspire and innovate. We will have to create technologies and solutions that are for the larger good for human kind and the world in a sustainable manner. Ocean Mining should not be about exploitation but utilization.” Mr. Madhu Nair said, “Hydrogen will be the fuel of the future and to produce hydrogen, you need a lot of energy. Defence will still continue to be very strong through control of the seas and protection of the homeland.
From a technological point of view, defence could be leading many of the technologies. Researchers, scientists and engineers can talk seamlessly with policymakers and industry and create a strong connect. Forums like this can create connect with Industry and Policymakers.”
The conference will also highlight how ‘UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development’ is attempting to reduce the impacts of climate change through renewable energies – offshore wind, wave, OTEC and other forms of alternate sources of energy. Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Chief Executive, IIT Madras Research Park, which is hosting the Event, said, “After Solar and Wind, Oceans are the third source of energy. India is surrounded by oceans and will need this third source of energy. We need to figure out how electricity can be generated from a small wave as current technologies only allow for energy generation from large waves.
IIT Madras and the IITMRP will be delighted to work with the stakeholders in this area. One of IIT Madras incubated Start-up Planys Technologies is making small underwater vehicles for exploring the ocean and has been doing great work.” Researchers and industrial leaders will highlight, discuss and exchange relevant topics and current trends in marine technologies. This will help in creating awareness on advanced research areas, practices, and policies for the marine field, an IIT release said today.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.