PUNE: MIT World Peace University will host the third edition of the National Scientists Round Table conference from July 17 to 19. The forum brings together scientists, researchers and students across disciplines.R M Chitnis, vice-chancellor, MIT-WPU, and co-chairperson of NSRTC 2026, said that the conference aims to motivate youngsters, especially in engineering and other fields, to take up research. “Our themes are divided into different verticals, but they all talk about how to think beyond what is available, how to identify needs and problems of society and how to innovate to resolve those needs. We have scientists on the panel who have worked with Nobel laureates. Listening to their experiences will help students get an inside view of how great minds work and what makes them stand apart,” said Chitnis.Bharat Choudhari, dean of research and development at MIT WPU and the convener of NSRTC 2026 said that a link will soon be live on the official website for outside students to register. “Since the seating is limited, it is important for the students to register on the link and get approval. However, the event is free of cost,” said Choudhari, adding that NSRTC events held in the last two years have led to a marginal increase in the number and quality of papers published by both students and staff in reputed journals.Akash Joshi, chairperson of NSRTC and founder of Microlin Technologies, USA talked about the importance of contributing in whatever way one can to uplift and provide opportunities for students in rural India. He said to develop India in the true sense, science and technology innovation has a crucial role to play.During the event, globally renowned chemical engineer MM Sharma, who was the former director of ICT, Mumbai, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the UK, will be conferred with the Vigyan Maharshi Award for his exceptional contribution to Science. At the same time, the DeepTech Young Entrepreneur Awards will be presented to Nikunj Parashar, founder of Pune-based Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for his indigenous marine autonomy and defence robotics solution, and to Narayana Rao Sripada, co-founder of Swaasa, for his AI-driven respiratory healthcare smartphone screening solution.
