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School of Science & Technology hosts Indian Defence Conclave Highlighting Innovation and National Security

Published on: April 20, 2026

The School of Science and Technology (SST), Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, organized the Indian Defence Conclave 2026 on 20 April 2026 at the Adi Kailash Auditorium. The conclave aimed to bring together eminent defence experts, scientists, and academicians to deliberate on emerging defence technologies, national security challenges, and opportunities for collaboration between academia and the defence sector.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. Pramod Kumar, Dean, School of Science and Technology; Dr. Neel Mani, Professor; and Dr. Ashutosh Bhatt, Associate Professor. The event witnessed the participation of several distinguished speakers, including Dr. Vikas Kumar, Chairman, Aeronautical Research Board (DRDO); Colonel Mayank Chaubey (Retd.), Director (Admin & Student Life), Vedica Scholars Programme; Kumar Subramanium Chitamber Iyer, INAS (Retd.), Former Director General of Naval Armament; Dr. Suryanarayana Vikrant Karra, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, IIT Delhi; and Dr. Vaibhav Gupta from DRDO-IRDE, Dehradun.

During the sessions, the speakers shared valuable insights into cutting-edge developments in defence technology. Discussions covered advancements in aeronautical research, naval defence systems, material science, optical sensing technologies, and strategic defence innovation. Experts highlighted the importance of indigenous technology development, collaborative research, and innovation to strengthen India’s defence capabilities.

The conclave also addressed emerging interdisciplinary domains such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced defence systems, encouraging students to explore research opportunities aligned with national priorities. Participants from B.Tech, MCA, and B.Sc Data Science programmes, along with faculty members, actively engaged in discussions and interactions with the experts.

In his address, Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar, Dean, SST, emphasized the importance of strengthening academia–defence collaboration and encouraged students to pursue research and innovation in strategic technologies. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Neel Mani.
Overall, the conclave served as an enriching platform for knowledge exchange, fostering awareness about national security challenges while inspiring students to contribute towards innovation and research in the defence and technology sectors.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.