International FDP

The School of Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa, in collaboration with Arab Open University (AOU), Oman, organized a 6-Day International Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled “AI 2025: Advancing the Future with Artificial Intelligence and IoT” from April 24 to April 29, 2025. The FDP aimed to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in shaping industries and society. It served as a platform to bring together experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss emerging trends, ethical considerations, and real-world applications of AI and IoT.

The speaker for the first day(24/04/2025) was Dr. Arokia Paul Rajan, Associate Professor, School of Data Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus. He delivered a session on the topic “The Future of AI in 2025 – Trends and Opportunities.”

Dr. Arokia Paul commenced the session with a series of thought-provoking questions, inviting participants to share their views on technologies expected to make a significant impact over the next five years. The participants engaged enthusiastically, mentioning technologies such as Computer Vision, Quantum Computing, and Large Language Models, among others.

Following this interactive introduction, Dr. Arokia Paul provided a brief overview of the history of Artificial Intelligence, helping participants to better understand the evolution of AI concepts. He then introduced several innovative AI tools, including magicschool.ai and poe.com, highlighting their potential applications in enhancing teaching and learning, particularly for academicians.

Dr. Arokia Paul emphasized the importance of cloud computing and demonstrated the use of cloud-based applications such as Amazon Rekognition, a service that utilizes machine learning for image and video analysis. He also showcased CU Report Rover, a tool developed by CHRIST University students for automating event report generation.

The session was highly insightful and informative. Dr. Arokia Paul Rajan encouraged participants to explore the introduced tools and integrate them into their practices to enrich the teaching-learning experience.

On the second day(25/04/2025) of the six-day International Online FDP on AI 2025: Advancing the Future with Artificial Intelligence, a highly engaging session titled “AI for Everyone – Leveraging AI without Coding” was conducted by Dr. Mohammed Abrar, Assistant Professor at Arab Open University, Oman. Dr. Abrar’s research primarily focuses on federated learning, where he has played a crucial role in developing privacy-preserving, decentralized machine learning algorithms. He began the session by differentiating between traditional AI approaches and the emerging no-code AI platforms, making it easier for participants to understand the advantages of no-code tools. He then explored the topic of workflow automation, emphasizing how templates for classification, clustering, data entry, and form automation are now widely accessible without the need for coding expertise. Dr. Abrar also illustrated how pre-trained AI models can be seamlessly integrated into workflows. The session offered valuable insights into democratizing AI, empowering non-coders to leverage its potential across diverse fields.

A session on "Understanding the Foundation of Computer Vision" was conducted on 26/04/2025 by Dr. Lija Jacob, Associate Professor and Head, School of Sciences, CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus. The session offered a comprehensive introduction to the field of Computer Vision (CV), focusing on how machines are trained to interpret and analyze visual data. Dr. Lija Jacob provided insights into the historical evolution of CV, the image formation process, and various color models such as RGB and HSV. She explained fundamental image processing techniques like filtering, edge detection, and the importance of feature extraction. The session also covered core CV tasks including object detection, image classification, and segmentation. A significant part of the discussion revolved around the application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) in solving real-world problems in sectors like healthcare, surveillance, and autonomous systems. The session highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of CV, combining elements of computer science, mathematics, and artificial intelligence.

A session on “AI and IoT” was conducted by Dr. S. Vijayalakshmi, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, School of Sciences, CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus, on 27th April 2025. She delivered an insightful session on "AI-Enabled IoT: Cutting-Edge Applications," highlighting the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). She began by explaining the foundational concepts of AI and IoT, emphasizing that IoT comprises sensing, intelligence, and connectivity. AI brings intelligence to IoT systems by enabling them to learn, adapt, and make decisions based on data collected from sensors and devices.

The session underscored how AI enhances the capabilities of IoT in various domains. In healthcare, AI-enabled IoT devices help monitor patients in real time. In manufacturing, predictive maintenance and process optimization are key applications. Retail benefits from smart inventory systems, while agriculture sees advancements through precision farming. Robotics and tech wearables are also transforming with this integration, offering smarter, autonomous operations.

Dr. Vijayalakshmi discussed edge AI, where data processing happens closer to the device, improving response times and reducing bandwidth use. However, she also highlighted challenges like security risks, complexity in system integration, and data privacy issues. She concluded by addressing future trends, including increasing autonomy, ethical concerns, and the need for robust AI models. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the powerful synergy between AI and IoT.

Next day the an insightful session was conducted by Dr. Jibreal Jos during the International Faculty Development Program (FDP), held on 28/04/2025. The session focused primarily on Machine Learning and its practical applications. Dr. Jibreal Jos began by introducing ML through real-world datasets, notably using the cancer dataset to explain the concept of overfitting. He engaged participants by posing foundational questions, such as the precedence of datasets versus databases.

He demonstrated the MNIST dataset and highlighted the importance of data in driving ML and Deep Learning models. A clear distinction between ML and DL was drawn, with practical guidelines on when to use each. He emphasized the relevance of deep learning in modern applications and explained hyperparameter tuning using GridSearch, particularly in the context of decision trees.

He elaborated on how sensor-generated data can be a valuable input for ML models and discussed the concept of model tuning within decision trees. The session also briefly touched upon the relevance of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT. Overall, he provided a balanced view of ML and DL, offering practical examples, basic theory, and real-world use cases. The session was interactive, informative, and highly beneficial for educators and researchers alike.

On the final day 29/04/2025,“Visualizing Tomorrow: AI 2025 and the Power of Computer Vision” was delivered by Dr. Wasin Al Kishi, Assistant Professor, Arab Open University, Oman. The session provided a futuristic outlook on how artificial intelligence, particularly computer vision, is reshaping industries and daily life. Dr. Wasin Al Kishi discussed the integration of AI with visual data analysis, showcasing its applications in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, smart surveillance, and augmented reality. The session emphasized the technical advancements in computer vision, such as object detection, image recognition, and autonomous decision-making. Additionally, ethical and societal implications like privacy concerns and algorithmic bias were thoughtfully addressed. The lecture encouraged participants to explore the potential of AI-powered visual systems and inspired further inquiry into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the journey toward AI 2025.

Followed the insightful session by Dr. Wasin Al Kishi, the valedictory session was gracefully hosted by Dr. Anita Kumari. The valedictory address was delivered by Dr. Lijo Thomas, Dean and Director, CHRIST University, Pune Lavasa Campus, who highlighted the importance of emerging technologies like AI and computer vision in shaping the future of academia and industry. Dr. Sherimon P.C., Dean, Faculty of Computer Studies, Arab Open University, Oman, extended his heartfelt felicitation, commending the collaborative spirit and the academic significance of the event. Dr. Lija Jacob, Associate Professor and Head, School of Sciences, CHRIST University, also felicitated the speaker and expressed appreciation for the enriching session. The program concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Gunavathi, Associate Professor, Department of Data Science, acknowledging the efforts of the organizers, resource person, and participants in making the event a success.