On September 30, 2022, the ICT Academy of Kerala (ICTAK) hosted the sixth edition of the International Conclave on Skills, Engineering, and Technology (ICSET) at the CIAL Trade Fair and Exhibition Center in Kochi. The theme of ICSET 2022 was ‘Metaverse-Reimagining the Future.’ The 2022 edition of ICSET, which has been growing since 2016, was a huge success, with over 1500 delegates attending the main event. Around 600 people participated in the precursor workshops, while more than 700 people watched the live feed on ICTAK’s official YouTube page.
The world is experiencing a third industrial revolution, driven by the rapid adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all aspects of life. All industries are feeling the impacts, from manufacturing to agriculture, mining, energy production and services. The transformation is also changing the way we work and learn. Today, employees need to specialize in areas like data analytics or artificial intelligence to remain relevant. Individuals will also need to upgrade their skills every few years as technology changes so rapidly. This new digital economy demands a new type of worker – one who has continuous access and training for the changeable future of work. The International Conclave on Skills, Engineering and Technology brings together leaders from across industries for a discussion on how we can prepare students and workers for this new world.
The Sessions
“As society transitions from wired and cabled devices to wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Metaverse will open up a world that is unpredictable and open to the imagination,” experts who participated in the conclave commented. Dr M.C. Dathan, the Chief Minister’s scientific advisor and former director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, inaugurated the conclave. Dr. Prahlad Vadakkepat of the National University of Singapore, UST Technology Services Head Varghese Cherian, EY India Operations Director Richard Antony, ABC Coders CEO Mohammed Ameen, Techgentsia CEO Joy Sebastian, Digital University Vice Chancellor Dr. Saji Gopinath, Cdr. A. Muthuraj of the Indian Navy, Mr. Sahaj Chawla of LinkedIn, and others shared their valuable insights and experiences in the conclave. The panel discussions focused on the future of technology, the ICTAK experience, and the future of employment. ‘INS Vikrant’, ‘Coding Young ‘, and ‘Vcing the Vconsole Way’ were the topics of the speaker session. The partner session provided a comprehensive picture of the Kerala job and talent landscape.
The Workshops
Before the main event, there were four preparatory workshops. It took place between September 26 and September 29. Out of the 814 who registered, 313 students attended the workshop ‘Open Innovation in the Metaverse.’ There were 1256 registrations for ‘Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking,’ with 487 participants. However, 593 and 468 people registered for the workshops ‘Earn While You Learn: A DUK Perspective’ and ‘SAP,’ respectively, but only 143 and 71 attended.
The Competitions
Lenac Liju and Benson Benny from Nirmala College of Arts and Science, Chalakudy, have received first prize in the Treasure hunt organized in ICSET 2022. Second place went to Abeedar M.A. and Udhith Narayan from Sreepathy Institute of Management and Technology.
The conference received 30 abstracts for the paper presentation, selected 16 for the final presentation, and 12 were delivered. Aman K. Shihab and Pankaj Kumar G. Narayanan V. Eswar of the Federal Institute of Science and Technology won first place for their paper ‘Lithium-Ion Battery Modeling: A Machine Learning Approach.’ Reji R. of Carmel College of Engineering and Technology took second place with his presentation on ‘3D Facial Features in Neuro-fuzzy Models for Predictive Grading of Childhood Autism.’
Awards and Recognitions
In addition to the Techathlon 2022 winners, the ICT Academy’s industry and academic partners received honours and certificates at ICSET 2022. Techgentsia’s CEO, Mr Joy Sebastian, was given the ICTAK Excellence Award. The Valued Partner Award went to EY. The Business Partner award went to Reflection, the Technology Award to TCS RapidLabs, the Knowledge Partner award to LinkedIn, and the Academic Partner award to Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Christ Nagar College, Maranalloor, T’puram, and Nilgiri College of Arts & Science, Thaloor.
Feedbacks
A total of 1536 participated in the ICSET 2022. Here are a few feedbacks from both the teachers and students.
“ICTAK’s International Conclave METAVERSE was well organized and is becoming a benchmark for all the Tech Events in Kerala. It was an excellent opportunity for faculty members & students to meet and listen to industry tech stalwarts. The flawlessly executed panel discussions were quite interesting and thought-provoking”, says Professor Deepu from Rajadhani Engineering College, T’puram.
“Thank you for providing such an amazing international conclave! I enjoyed the panel sessions and am excited to apply the methodology to my current/future projects. The way everything is structured makes complete sense and is very practical in the real world. It’s a beautiful opportunity for our students to learn new aspects of the technological side as well. The metaverse exhibition which was conducted in between the conclave is exciting and will help to reimagine the future like that. Thanks again! I look forward to taking future national and international conclaves and seminars with you”, testifies Professor Abilash from Christ Nagar College, T’puram.
“The conference held by the ICT Academy of Kerala, for an eye-opener as it was enriched with the aspects and the future basis for technology and the empowerment of futuristic tech-based learning. Hearing the lecture sessions and the experience of the previous alumnus brought me to a realization that anything is achievable with the major benefits of skills and skill-oriented programs. Their factor of providing higher quality education through the breakthrough of technology and technology-based changes that are happening worldwide is the key feature of the conference held as an international conclave on skills, engineering, and technology. I was enriched, enlightened, and enthralled to have attended this event and it has left me wondering about shaping my careers to suit the adverse and rapid changes of the economy”, says Fidha Fathima Riaz Hussain, a student from Christ Nagar College, T’puram.
In short, for the participants, ICSET was a golden opportunity to meet and interact with eminent personalities in the field of skills & technology. It was one day full of learning, interaction, skills development, and exposure to the latest available technologies and products. The delegates walked away with ideas & inspiration that they can apply to their future work environment.
