The ACM Winter School 2024, organised by the Department of Computer Science,  was aimed to enhance advanced learning in the field of computing. This prestigious programme successfully attracted participants from across India, representing 22 eminent institutions, including notable names like IIT Delhi, IIT Gandhinagar, and IIT Hyderabad.

The inaugural session, was graced by distinguished academic figures such as Prof. Nibaran Das from Jadavpur University and Prof. C V Tomy, the Dean of the School of Engineering and Sciences. The faculty coordinators, Dr Priyanka Singh, Dr Ajay B, Dr Ravi Kant Kumar, and Dr Niladri Sett, played significant roles in facilitating the event.

During the opening remarks, Dr Ajay B, who serves as an Assistant Professor and faculty coordinator, emphasised the importance of creating platforms that inspire innovative thinking and empower students with fresh, out-of-the-box ideas. His perspective resonated with the overarching goals of the Winter School to cultivate creativity and collaboration among the participants.

Dr Priyanka Singh provided a comprehensive overview of the programme’s objectives, setting the tone for the enriching experiences that lay ahead. Following her, Prof. C V Tomy addressed the audience, underscoring the significance of such events in offering new insights and facilitating networking opportunities. He praised the organising team for their commitment to making this initiative a reality and highlighted its potential impact on the academic journeys of the participants.

With a dynamic lineup of sessions led by experts from various parts of the country, the ACM Winter School delivered a transformative learning experience. This gathering promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange, aiming to foster a deep understanding of critical computing topics among attendees.

Adding to the programme’s rich content, Dr Abhishek Singh was recognised as the esteemed resource person for the Winter School. His extensive expertise and invaluable insights have significantly enriched the experience, inspiring participants to engage in innovative thought. The gratitude expressed by the faculty coordinators—Dr Priyanka Singh, Dr Ajay B, and Dr Ravi Kant Kumar—reflects the lasting impact his contributions have made on all attendees.

The ACM Winter School 2024 promises to be a milestone event, equipping participants with knowledge and skills that will undoubtedly resonate in their academic and professional pursuits.

The 22nd OITS International Conference on Information Technology (OCIT-2024) was hosted at SRM University-AP from December 12 to 14, 2024. The conference, which served as a premier platform to discuss advancements in information technology, brought together distinguished academics, researchers, industry professionals, and students from across the globe. OCIT-2024 witnessed a submission of 600 research papers, out of which 136 papers were accepted and registered for presentation after rigorous review.

OCIT 2024 had seven keynote speakers who delivered insightful presentations, offering deep expertise and futuristic perspectives on emerging trends: Prof. Arun Kumar Pujari, HOD of AI & CSE, Adviser & Professor Emeritus Mahindra University, Prof. Banshidhar Majhi, Professor (HAG), Comp Sc.& Engg. NIT Rourkela, Former Director, IIITDM KP, Former VC, VSSUT Burla, Prof. Prabir Kumar Biswas, IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Sharad Sharma (University of North Texas UNT), Dr Kannan Srinathan (IIIT Hyderabad), Prof. Siba Kumar Udgata (University of Hyderabad), Dr Kumar Goutam (Founder & President of QRACE).

Esteemed session chairs guided thought-provoking discussions, elevating the intellectual rigour of the conference. Presenters also shared cutting-edge research, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and innovation. The topics explored ranged from artificial intelligence and machine learning to advanced networking and quantum computing. The conference emphasised the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in addressing global challenges and shaping the future.

The conference concluded on a high note, inspiring participants to continue their pursuit of excellence in research and innovation. 12 papers were recognised as the best papers for their exceptional quality and contribution. All 136 accepted papers will be published in IEEE Xplore (Scopus Indexed). Additionally, approximately 15% of the papers will receive extended invitations for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

OCIT-2024 was a remarkable event, leaving a lasting impact on its participants and setting the stage for future technological advancements. The event celebrated the spirit of innovation and research through well-curated presentations.