Intel® Higher Education, India in collaboration with Mobile Wireless group of Intel Corporation conducted a series of workshops on IEEE 802.16 Mobile WiMAX in select engineering institutions in India. The key objective of this initiative was to educate academia on WiMAX technology evolution and development of WiMAX standards. The workshops focused on creating awareness on recent trends in 4G mobile Internet vision, WiMAX standards and technology roadmap in Indian context and were targeted at engineering faculties, research scholars, MS, M.Tech students from electronics, networking and telecommunications streams in IIT Guwahati, NIT Trichy and I2IT, Pune . The workshops were conducted by Jose Puthenkulam, Director WiMAX standards, Muthaiah Venkatachalam, Lead System Architect, Shantidev Mohanty from Intel Corporation and Dr. Kiran Kuchi from Center for Excellence in Wireless Technology.

Jose Puthenkulam initiated the workshops with an overview on 4G mobile internet, WiMAX standards, Mobile Internet vision for India and Technology road map for WiMAX. During his talk Jose Puthenkulam emphasized that 4G broadband wireless technologies can help India address the broadband gap and help move it forward in knowledge economy and urged the Indian scientific and academic community to contribute in development of the 4G technology standards. He further shared some relevant research topics in which Indian researchers can contribute significantly to the evolution of wireless technologies. In NIT Trichy and I2IT Pune, Jose Puthenkulam along with by Dr. Kiran Kuchi addressed the participants on 802.16m release and provided an in-depth understanding of physical layer aspects. Shantidev Mohanty spoke to the participants on 802.16e and 802.16m MAC layer aspects and motivated students and faculties to participate in the development of technology standards. Shantidev Mohanty also discussed in detail about efficient mobility management, advanced power saving, efficient air-link operation and IP networks.

"WiMAX technology can contribute significantly to development of North –East region in India, thanks to Intel for bringing this initiative to IIT Guwahati." – Prof. Gautam Barua, Director, IIT Guwahati

Prof. Gautam Barua, Director of IIT Guwahati addressed the IIT Guwahati faculty and research students and emphasized that the broadband gap especially in North-Eastern region of the country is a serious concern due to hilly terrain of the region and opined that 4G broadband access can address this issue and contribute to the overall development of north-eastern states in India. He congratulated Intel for taking up this initiative of educating Indian academia on WiMAX technologies and especially selecting IIT Guwahati for the workshop and expressed that IIT Guwahati would extend support to Intel for collaborations on WiMAX research in India. Ms. Valsa Williams, Head of Corporate Affairs, North and East region, Intel India, also addressed the gathering at IIT Guwahati, and spoke on the significance of the Intel Higher Education programs and WiMAX initiatives of Intel in India.

Dr. M. Chidambaram, Director, NIT, Trichy, addressed the participants and motivated the research students and faculty to take up research in the area of WiMAX technologies. He was of the opinion that academia should take necessary steps to keep the student community updated with recent trends in the Industry and equip them with skills required in tele-communications industry. Dr. M. Chidambaram, expressed his gratitude to Intel for visiting NIT Trichy and sharing their expertise on WiMAX technology standards with faculties and students of NIT Trichy.

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Padmashree award winner, a renowned educationist and information technology scientist in India graced the occasion at I2IT Pune and expressed that he is personally and professionally fortunate to interact with experts from Intel who have made significant contribution in evolution of WiMAX technology standards. He urged students to have high aspirations, focus on innovations that can significantly contribute to growth of nation.

Glimpses of the workshops

Director of NIT Trichy addressing participants Shantidev Mohanty with PhD Scholars at I2IT Dr. Vijay Bhatkar addressing the gathering Participants at I2IT Pune