Kanpur, April 24 2025| The Department of Electrical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) successfully concluded a three days national workshop on Metamaterial Antennas and Applications. Organized under the aegis of the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Kanpur, the workshop brought together leading minds from academia, industry, and defence research to explore cutting-edge developments in antenna technology.

The event was co-sponsored by Keysight Technologies, Agmatel, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu, IEEE UP Section, IEEE APS Student Branch Chapter (SBC), and IEEE UP Chapter.

Shri L. C. Mangal, DS & DG (TM), DRDO HQ, inaugurated the workshop as Chief Guest and delivered a keynote address on “Multifunctional RF Devices and Systems”, highlighting their applications across defence and civilian domains. The inaugural event was graced by senior dignitaries including Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean R&D, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Yogesh Singh Chauhan, Head, Electrical Engineering Department and IEEE UP Chair; and Mr. Sanjay Tandon, Director, DIA-CoE, IIT Kanpur.

Talking at the event Shri L. C. Mangal, DS & DG(TM) from DRDO HQ said, “Metamaterials and next-generation antenna systems are opening new frontiers in both defence and civilian communication technologies. This workshop was a good medium to deliberate on significance of academia-industry-government collaboration in accelerating innovation. IIT Kanpur, through its various initiatives is playing a vital role in nurturing talent and advancing research that aligns with national strategic goals.”

While addressing the attendees Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean R&D, IIT Kanpur said, “Workshops like these are crucial in translating research into real-world impact. By bringing together DRDO, industry leaders, and academic experts, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem that accelerates the development of indigenous technologies. IIT Kanpur is very focused on advancing knowledge while strategically aligning our research efforts with national priorities.”

Coordinated by Prof. Raghvendra Kumar Chaudhary and Prof. Kumar Vaibhav Srivastava from Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, the workshop featured 13 technical sessions with lectures by eminent experts including scientists from DRDO labs, faculty from IITs across India, and industry specialists. Key speakers included Dr. Ashutosh Kedar (LRDE), Dr. Pramendra Kumar Verma (DEAL), and experts from IIT Patna, IIT Jammu, IIT Indore, and BEL Ghaziabad.

The workshop attracted over 125 participants from over 55 institutions, including different IITs, IIITs, NITs, Central/State Universities, Engineering Colleges, CSIR Labs, and DRDO scientists from LRDE and DEAL. Attendees represented a diverse mix of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars, alongside research scientists and industry professionals.

The program also featured guided visits to IIT Kanpur’s advanced research facilities, including the Microwave Lab, mmWave Research Lab, EMI/EMC Lab, MedTech Lab, and the Airstrip facility, giving participants valuable insights into cutting-edge experimental infrastructure.

An exhibition held alongside the workshop showcased cutting-edge equipment from industry sponsors, including D-band measurement setups, vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, and other tools crucial for modern wireless research. The exhibition drew significant interest from leading technology firms such as Keysight Technologies, Agmatel, Rohde & Schwarz, and Anritsu. In addition, representatives from the IEEE UP Section, IEEE APS Student Branch Chapter, and IEEE UP Chapter engaged with attendees, highlighting the benefits of IEEE membership and sharing updates on their ongoing and upcoming initiatives.