PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 18 -- In a major step toward fostering innovation and research, the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad (IIIT-A) inaugurated a cutting-edge STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Innovation Hub at its Centre for Intelligent Robotics (CIR). The facility has been established in collaboration with STEMLearn.AI, institute officials announced on Wednesday. The inauguration ceremony was led by Prof TG Sitharam, chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), who served as the chief guest. Prof Sitharam commended the joint initiative by IIIT-A and STEMLearn.AI, emphasizing the importance of nurturing creators and innovators in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He identified key emerging technologies-Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Science, Coding and Computational Thinking, Design Thinking, AR/VR, and Drone Technology-as foundational to India's evolving innovation ecosystem. Prof. Sitharam also shared insights from his recent book, The Road Ahead 2.0, encouraging students and faculty to remain proactive in their pursuit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Presiding over the event, Prof Mukul S Sutaone, director of IIIT-A, described the hub as a state-of-the-art facility aimed at promoting academic excellence and research. It will serve as a vibrant platform for collaborative work in STEM, Robotics, AI, and Generative AI, offering hands-on training, workshops, and dedicated spaces for system design, prototyping, and access to advanced laboratory tools....