The conclave was graced by the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) and senior scientists from the DST. Dr. Mehboob Ali presented TEC-UoL’s pioneering work in adapting technology to Ladakh’s extreme climate, highlighting three key accomplishments:

1. Solar Dryer Technology for food preservation.
2. Root Cellar Development enabling year-round vegetable availability during harsh winters.
3. Anti-Freezing Water Supply Solutions addressing critical infrastructure challenges.

The Expert Advisory Group and DST scientists reviewed the progress of all TECs and strategized future plans for each centre.

Experts lauded TEC-UoL’s role in developing technologies through its intervention, emphasizing their potential to bridge critical technological gaps in high-altitude regions. They highlighted these innovations as pivotal for sustainable development in challenging environments like Ladakh. TEC-UoL will integrate the EAG’s recommendations into its strategic roadmap, emphasizing cross-institutional collaboration and multidisciplinary projects to address Ladakh’s socio-environmental needs.

The TEC-UoL team also visited two premier innovation hubs in Chennai:

1. National Hub for Healthcare Instrumentation Development (NHHID):
   Guided by Professor K. Sankaran (EAG Member for TEC-UoL), the team explored breakthrough healthcare biotechnologies, including rapid pathogen detectors, low-cost milk adulteration sensors, and COVID-19 neutralizing sanitizers.
2. IIT Madras Incubation Cell:
   The team observed incubated startups developing robotic septic tank cleaners, AI-powered pipeline diagnostics, and mobility solutions for specially-abled individuals.