Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh)

Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, engaged with the leadership and faculty of SRM University–AP during his visit to the campus, emphasising the vital role of academic institutions in strengthening India’s defence technology ecosystem.

During the interaction, Dr Kamat underscored the need to build a strong collaborative framework where universities contribute to early-stage research and development, while DRDO laboratories, startups, MSMEs and industry partners accelerate the transition of innovations into deployable technologies. He stressed that such synergy could significantly reduce development timelines, enabling the creation and deployment of advanced technologies within three to five years.

Welcoming the DRDO chief, Prof. D Narayana Rao, Executive Director–Research, SRM Group of Institutions, presented an overview of the university’s academic and research ecosystem, highlighting its multidisciplinary programmes and focus on research-driven learning.

Faculty members briefed Dr Kamat on their ongoing work in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and computing, and green hydrogen. He appreciated SRM University–AP’s efforts in accelerated materials development using Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), noting its relevance to the development of high-energy materials required for advanced missile systems.

Research initiatives on quantum navigation systems (QNS) independent of GPS and the fabrication of quantum sensors, led by Dr Jatis Kumar Dash and his team, also drew praise from the DRDO Chairman. He noted the strategic importance of such technologies, which are being actively pursued worldwide for defence and navigation applications.

In addition, studies on sodium-ion batteries capable of operating in extreme temperatures, led by Dr Surjit Sahoo, and the development of calibrated smart fibre sensors by Prof. Kiran Mangalampalli were commended for their potential applications in harsh operational environments, including high-altitude defence scenarios and modern artillery systems.

Dr Kamat encouraged the university to strengthen collaboration with DRDO laboratories to further enhance research outcomes and innovation. He emphasised that universities and private institutions have a critical role to play in advancing defence innovation and contributing to India’s technological self-reliance.

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Dr P Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor of SRM University–AP, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to achieving excellence in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, green hydrogen, and health engineering, while contributing meaningfully to national defence research.

The interaction also saw participation from key faculty and research leaders of SRM University–AP, reflecting the institution’s growing engagement in strategic research areas aligned with national priorities.