About the Centre

The International Centre for AI Research (ICAIR) is a flagship initiative of the Interscience Institute of Management & Technology (IIMT), Bhubaneswar, envisioned to become a global nucleus for excellence in Artificial Intelligence research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination. Established in response to the rising need for inclusive, ethical, and high-impact AI interventions, the Centre is designed to promote applied research that transcends disciplinary boundaries and contributes meaningfully to the evolving digital landscape.

ICAIR is committed to pioneering breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence through a combination of fundamental research, applied science, and real-world deployment. It aspires to be a space where academic rigor meets societal relevance, creating AI-driven solutions that address critical global challenges such as healthcare inequities, environmental degradation, financial inclusion, smart governance, and educational access. With a research environment grounded in academic freedom, collaboration, and innovation, the Centre brings together scholars, scientists, policy experts, and industry leaders from around the world.

The Centre is particularly focused on fostering responsible and explainable AI that aligns with human values, ensuring that technological progress is inclusive and sustainable. Its multidisciplinary approach spans computer science, data science, cognitive computing, linguistics, ethics, economics, and public policy, positioning it as a comprehensive hub for AI-driven transformation. Through strategic partnerships with global universities, research institutions, tech companies, and governmental bodies, IC-AIR aims to influence both policy and practice. It will serve as an incubator for next-generation ideas and enterprises, a training ground for AI talent, and a think tank for shaping the future of intelligent systems.

By leveraging the academic strength of IIMT, Bhubaneswar and aligning with national and international AI missions, the Centre is poised to make significant contributions to scientific discovery, technological advancement, and human development. It envisions not only being a leader in the academic domain but also playing a pivotal role in guiding ethical AI deployment and fostering innovation ecosystems across borders.

Vision of the Centre

The International Centre for AI Research (ICAIR) envisions:

1. Becoming a globally renowned Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence research and innovation.
2. Driving transformative AI solutions that address real-world challenges across diverse sectors and communities.
3. Promoting ethical, transparent, and human-centric AI practices aligned with international standards and societal values.
4. Enabling interdisciplinary collaboration across technology, healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and public policy.
5. Empowering societies through inclusive and AI-enabled development aimed at long-term social and economic progress.
6. Contributing to the advancement of global knowledge through impactful research, academic partnerships, and policy engagement.
7. Shaping a sustainable and intelligent future by equipping future leaders, innovators, and researchers with the tools to build responsible AI systems.

Mission of the Centre

The mission of the International Centre for AI Research (ICAIR) is to drive global excellence in Artificial Intelligence through education, research, innovation, and policy engagement. To achieve this, the Centre is committed to the following::

1. Conducting high-quality, interdisciplinary research in core and applied areas of Artificial Intelligence.
2. Building a global network of academic, industrial, and governmental collaborators focused on AI innovation.
3. Supporting capacity building through specialized programs, research fellowships, and industry-led training initiatives.
4. Advocating for responsible, explainable, and inclusive AI through policy engagement and public outreach.
5. Incubating and supporting AI-based startups that address critical challenges across key sectors.
6. Disseminating knowledge through scholarly publications, international conferences, workshops, and open-access platforms.

ICAIR Mentors

Prof. (Dr.) Lakhmi C. Jain,
Chief Mentor
PhD | ME | BE(Hons)| Fellow (Engineers Aust), Founder, KES International United Kingdom

Professor Lakhmi C. Jain, Ph.D, Dr H.C., ME, BE(Hons), Fellow (Engineers Australia), is with the Liverpool Hope University and the University of Arad. He was formerly with the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Canberra and Bournemouth University.Professor Jain founded the KES International for providing a professional community the opportunities for publications, knowledge exchange, cooperation and teaming. Involving around 5,000 researchers drawn from universities and companies world-wide, KES facilitates international cooperation and generate synergy in teaching and research. KES regularly provides networking opportunities for professional community through one of the largest conferences of its kind in the area of KES.

Dr. Srikanta Patnaik
Professor (AI&ML) IIMT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Adjunct Professor, UNESCO Chair on “Economic Systems and Human Rights”, National University of La Plata.

Dr. Srikanta Patnaik is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at IIMT. He has completed his MBA from Sambalpur University in the year 1991 and received his Ph. D. (Engineering) on Computational Intelligence from Jadavpur University, India in 1999. Prof. Patnaik supervised 25 Ph. D. Theses and more than 60 Master theses in the area of Computational Intelligence, Soft Computing Applications and Re-Engineering. Dr. Patnaik has published around 100 research papers in international journals and conference proceedings. He is author of 3 text books and more than 100 edited volumes and few invited book chapters, published by leading international publisher like Springer-Verlag, Kluwer Academic, etc.Dr. Patnaik is the Editors-in-Chief of International Journal of Information and Communication Technology and International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics published from Inderscience Publishing House, England and also Editors-in-chief of Book Series on “Modeling and Optimization in Science and Technology” published from Springer, Germany, Book Series on Advances in Computer and Electrical Engineering (ACEE) and Book Series on Advances in Medical Technologiesand Clinical Practices (AMTCP), published from IGI-Global, USA. He is Editor of Journal of Information and Communication Convegence Engineering, published by Korean Institute of Information and Communication Convegence Engineering. He is a also Associate Editor of International Journal of Granular Computing, Rough Sets and Intelligent Systems (IJGCRSIS) and International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices, published from Inderscience Publishing House, England.

Dr. Vasile Palade,
Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Coventry University, UK

Vasile Palade is Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in the Centre for Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling at Coventry University, UK. He joined Coventry University as a Reader in Pervasive Computing in 2013, after several previous academic and research positions at the University of Oxford, UK, University of Hull, UK, and the University of Galati, Romania. He is the Theme Lead for the "Machine Learning for Computer Vision" theme in the Centre for Computational Science and Mathematical Modelling. His research interests are in the area of machine learning/computational intelligence, with a focus on neural networks and deep learning, neuro-fuzzy systems, various nature inspired algorithms, such as swarm optimization algorithms. Application areas include computer vision, autonomous driving, social network data analysis and web mining, smart cities, natural language processing, fault diagnosis, Bioinformatics and health related problems, among others. Vasile Palade is author and co-author of more than 250 papers in journals and conference proceedings as well as books on machine learning and applications. He has also co-edited several books including conference proceedings. He is currently an Associate Editor for several journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, Neural Networks, Knowledge and Information Systems, International Journal on Artificial Intelligence Tools, International Journal of Hybrid Intelligent Systems. Vasile Palade is an IEEE Senior Member and a member of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society.

Prof. Dr. Kazumi Nakamatsu,
University of Hyogo, Kobe, Japan

Prof. Dr. Kazumi Nakamatsureceived the Ms. Eng. and Dr. Sci. from Shizuoka University and Kyushu University, Japan, respectively. He is a full Professor at School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Japan. His research interests encompass intelligent systems and their applications. He has developed some paraconsistent annotated logic programs called ALPSN(Annotated Logic Program with Strong Negation), VALPSN(Vector ALPSN), EVALPSN(Extended VALPSN) and bf-EVALPSN (before-after EVALPSN) recently, and applied them to various intelligent systems such as a safety verification-based railway interlocking control system and process order control. He is an author of over 150 papers and 20 book chapters, and 10 edited books published by prominent publishers. Kazumi Nakamatsu has chaired various international conferences, workshops and invited sessions, and he has been a member of numerous international program committees of workshops and conferences. He serves as Founding Editor of the International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems and editorial board member of many international journals. He has contributed numerous invited lectures at international workshops, conferences, and academic organizations. He also is a recipient of many conference paper awards.

Prof. Jair Minoro Abe,
Full Professor, Graduate Program in Production Engineering, ICET, Paulista University

Prof. Jair Minoro Abe received B.A. and MSc in Pure Mathematics - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Also received the Doctor degree and Livre-Docente title from the same University. He is currently coordinator of Logic Area of Institute of Advanced Studies - University of Sao Paulo Brazil and Full Professor at Paulista University - Brazil. His research interest topics include Paraconsistent Annotated Logics and AI, ANN in Biomedicine and Automation, among others. He is Senior Member of IEEE. Professor Abe is a studious of a family of Paraconsistent Annotated Logic which is used to solve many complex problems in engineering. He has authored/edited books on Paraconsistent and related logic published by Springer Germany and other reputed publishers. He is the recipient of many awards including medals for his academic performance and also received many best articles awards. Professor Abe was the Editor-in-Chief of Publicações da Sociedade Paranaense de Matemática de 1990 - 1994. Presently, Professor Abe serves as Associate Editor and member of the Editorial Board of some journals related to the intelligent systems and applications. Professor Abe has supervised a number of PhD candidates successfully and presented a number of keynote addresses. He has authored/co-authored around 300+ publications including books, research articles, research reports, etc. Professor Abe’s research interests include System design using conventional and Artificial Intelligence techniques, Paraconsistent Annotated Logic, Human factors in Aviation, Intelligent Decision Making, Teaching & Learning practices, and Cognitive Studies.

Dr. Nilanjan Dey
Professor, Techno International New Town, Kolkata

Nilanjan Dey (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.Tech., M.Tech. in information technology from West Bengal Board of Technical University and Ph.D. degrees in electronics and telecommunication engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in 2005, 2011, and 2015, respectively.
Currently, he is Professor with the Techno International New Town, Kolkata and a visiting fellow of the University of Reading, UK. He has authored over 300 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences and 40 authored and 70 edited books. His research interests include medical imaging and machine learning. Moreover, he actively participates in program and organizing committees for prestigious international conferences, including World Conference on Smart Trends in Systems Security and Sustainability (WorldS4), International Congress on Information and Communication Technology (ICICT), International Conference on Information and Communications Technology for Sustainable Development (ICT4SD) etc.
He is also the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Ambient Computing and Intelligence, Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society and series Co-Editor of Springer Tracts in Nature-Inspired Computing and Data-Intensive Research from Springer Nature and Advances in Ubiquitous Sensing Applications for Healthcare from Elsevier etc. Furthermore, he is an Editorial Board Member of IEEE Data Descriptions.
He is a Fellow of IETE and member of IE, ISOC etc.

Prof. Kwang Baek Kim
Dept. of Computer Engineering, Silla University, Busan 617-736, Korea

Professor Kwang Baek Kim received his MS and PhD degrees in science from Pusan National University. He is currently a full professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Silla University. His research interests include artificial intelligence and image processing and applications. He has recently conducted research and developed software on artificial intelligence-based medical ultrasound image processing and analysis, such as analysis of rotator cuff tears in artificial intelligence-based medical ultrasound images, and analysis of lumbar muscles and lipomas based on artificial intelligence. He has also recently been studying artificial intelligence techniques to extract and analyze features of nuclear sclerosis and cataracts in companion dogs. He has published over 100 papers and presented over 50 papers in renowned international academic conferences. Professor Kwang Baek Kim has been a keynote speaker at various international conferences and workshops and has been a member of the program committees of many international workshops and conferences. He served as the president of the Korea Information and Communications Society in 2016 and 2017.

Faculty Associated with ICAIR

Faculty Associated with B. Tech & M.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)

Prof.(Dr.) Rutuparna Panda
Professor for B.Tech (AI&ML) and Dean Research IIMT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Rutuparna Panda (Member IEEE) was born in 1963. He received B.Sc Engg. (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering) and M. Sc. Engg. (Communication Systems Engineering) Degrees from UCE Burla in 1985 and 1988, respectively. He obtained Ph.D. (Engg) degree from IIT, KGP in 1998. He is a former Professor in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, VSS University of Technology, Burla. He was the former HOD ECE Dept., HOD CSE Dept., DEAN, Academic Affairs, DEAN, SRIC, and DEAN Continuing Education Programme. He has guided 38 M.Tech. Theses and 10 Ph.D. Theses. He has over 200 papers in International/National Journals and conferences. Dr. Panda has more than 4000 academic citations with h-index of 35 and i10-index of 70 as per google scholar. He is the co-author of two books titled “AI Techniques for Biomedical Engineering Applications” and “Region based Approaches for Image Fusion”. He is the co-author of 8 Book Chapters. Currently, Dr. Panda is serving as an associate editor of Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence (EAAI). He is a member of IEEE and a Fellow of IETE(India). He is the reviewer of many reputed international Journals like IEEE Transactions and Elsevier Journals. He received ‘Highly Cited Research Award’ in Dec. 2016 from Swarm and Evolutionary Computation Journal, Elsevier. He received ‘Certificate of Appreciation Award’ for quality research Journal Publications for the year 2020 from VSS University of Technology, Burla. His one article is found in top ten popular articles of IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering. His area of research interests includes – Digital signal/image processing, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, VLSI Signal Processing, Soft Computing, Machine intelligence and AI.

Dr. Umaranjan Jena,
Professor, I.I.M.T., Bhubaneswar

Dr. Umaranjan Jena is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security) with over 35 years of experience. Holding a Ph.D. in Engineering, his specialization lies in Cyber Law & Policy. He has contributed extensively to academia, authoring 58 papers in international journals and presenting 106 papers in international and national conferences. His research involvement includes undertaking two R&D projects. His work reflects a commitment to advancing cybersecurity policies and legal frameworks.

Prof. (Dr.) Jayadev Kar,
Professor, Dept.of Computer Science & Engineering, I.I.M.T, Bhubaneswar

Dr. Jayadev Kar (Member IEEE) was born in 1965. He received B.Sc Engg. (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering) with HONOURS from UCE, Burla (at present VSSUT)in 1987, MBA in Personnel & Marketing in 1990 from Utkal University, LLB in 1995(UU) and M. Tech in Computer Science (Image Processing) from Fakir Mohan University, Balasore in 2009. He obtained Ph.D. (MIS &HR) degree from Utkal University, Vanivihar, Bhubaneswar in 2006. He was a former Professor, MCA and Dean, PGDM in Regional College of Management, Chakadolavihar, Bhubaneswar, the oldest Management College of the state (Odisha). He was the former Technical Head of Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Bhubaneswar, the only R & D Institute of Science and Technology Department, Government of Odisha. He has guided many Ph.D. Theses. He has over 20 papers in National Journals and conferences. Dr. Kar is the co-author of 9(nine) books for Vocational Education in the area of Basic Foundation Course, Repair & Maintenance of Radio & TV Engineering and Electrical Engineering Maintenance including Basic Foundation Courses. Prof. Kar is having 37 years of experience dealing with academics, curriculum development, administration, examination, end-to-end management. Dr. Kar is a versatile academic leader with an extensive multidisciplinary background in Engineering, Human Resource Development, Computer Science, Management and Law. Ph.D. in HRD with a specialization in MIS & HR, complemented by 34 years of leadership at a Government Institution (Planetarium), demonstrating exceptional capacity to manage, innovate and educate across various levels. Dr. Kar has conducted thousands of outreach programmes. He is passionate about student-Centred curriculum design, informed by ongoing study of student psychology, observational methods, and adaptive pedagogy, contributing better outcomes and institutional growth. Currently, he is working as Director in Interscience Institute of Management & Technology, Bhubaneswar.

Prof. (Dr.) Kabiraj Sethi,
Professor, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering, I.I.M.T, Bhubaneswar

Dr. K. Sethi received his Ph.D. from Sambalpur University, Burla, Odisha, in 2014. He holds an M.E. degree in Communication System Engineering from BPUT, Rourkela (2005) and a B.Sc. (Engg) in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Sambalpur University, Burla (1983). He is currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, Odisha. Prior to his academic career, he gained over 13 years of experience in the public sector. His research interests span VLSI Signal Processing, Analog and Mixed Signal Design, and Approximate Computing. Dr. Sethi has published more than 25 research papers in reputed national and international journals and conferences. He has successfully guided over 30 M.Tech students and is currently supervising 3 Ph.D. scholars. He is also a life member of the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE).

Dr. Ashok Mahapatra,
B. Tech, MBA, Ph.D

Dr. Ashok Mahapatra is an accomplished leader who has held senior positions in Fortune 500 companies in the USA and UK for 18 years. He holds an MBA from Rutgers University and a B.Tech from NIT Rourkela in Computer Science. He is a member of the National Scholastic Honorary Society Beta-Gamma-Sigma of the USA. He has made significant contributions in Logistics Management Processes, Business Intelligence, and Optimization strategies for Fortune 100 Health Care, Manufacturing, and Logistics Companies. He has also been involved in the development of effective IT systems architecture for companies such as AT&T, United Health, ICICI Infotech, and Fujitsu. In the field of education and research, he believes in holistic grooming of students and nurturing research and innovations at an early stage of life.