PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 29 -- The three-day Global Alumni Meet and Industry-Academia Conclave at the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT-A) concluded on Sunday at the institute's Jhalwa campus. The landmark event brought together distinguished alumni, industry leaders, academic experts, and students, reaffirming the institute's commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Designed to strengthen the bridge between past and future, the conclave celebrated alumni achievements while promoting partnerships in translational research, entrepreneurship, and student mentorship. The agenda included panel discussions, workshops, cultural programs, and alumni felicitation ceremonies. Addressing the gathering, IIIT-A director Prof Mukul S Sutaone emphasised the importance of alumni-led mentorship and collaboration in cutting-edge research. He encouraged incubating industries on campus, drawing parallels to the early days of Google at Stanford. Prof Sanjay Singh, vice-chancellor of Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, lauded IIIT-A's 25-year journey and highlighted the need for inclusivity and shared responsibility in strengthening alumni-institute ties. Welcoming the MoU signed between the two institutions, he urged alumni to remain actively engaged. SB Taneja, director at DRDO-ISSA, underscored the strategic significance of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and semiconductors in modern defense. He called on academia to collaborate in developing indigenous technologies. Several alumni also shared their success stories and insights. Rachit Agrawal recounted how a student project he completed during his final semester in Paris was later acquired by Google for €50,000. Apoorva Kumar from Microsoft discussed the future of AI/ML and innovation, while Gagan Agarwal from IBM highlighted ongoing collaborations in quantum and generative AI. Prof Manish Goswami, dean (academics), showcased the institute's thriving startup ecosystem and research impact. Prof Manish Kumar proposed the establishment of Centers of Excellence in emerging technologies. A key highlight of the event was the launch of a new MTech program in Quantum Information and Technology. Alumni including Rochak Mittal, Ashutosh Agrawal, and Clyde DeSouza also shared mentorship plans and insights on entrepreneurship and innovation. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Surya Prakash, reaffirming a collective vision for advancing academic-industry collaboration and contributing to national development....