Varanasi: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, robotics, quantum computing, agritech, biotech and deeptech are driving Uttar Pradesh’s growth, while the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has transformed higher education institutions into centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building.He also described the proposed Agritech Business Park at IIT-BHU as a significant step towards connecting farmers in eastern Uttar Pradesh with modern technology and markets.Virtually addressing IIT-BHU’s first Institute Day 2026, ‘Utthan’, the chief minister said the event had evolved into a national platform bringing together academia, research, innovation, industry, agriculture and society. “The participation of startups, industry representatives, scientists, researchers, farmers and young students on a single campus reflects Uttar Pradesh’s new culture of development,” he said.The CM described the proposed Agritech Business Park as a major initiative to connect farmers in eastern Uttar Pradesh with modern agriculture, digital marketing, agri-startups and agriculture-based industries. He also expressed hope that IIT-BHU would continue to contribute to sectors such as energy, smart mobility, smart infrastructure, medical devices, defence manufacturing and advanced technologies.The event showcased the institute’s achievements in research, innovation, industry-academia collaboration and initiatives aimed at society-oriented development.IIT-BHU Director Prof Amit Patra said this year’s theme, ‘Utthan’ (Upliftment Through Technological Transformation of Higher Academic Institutions), represented not only the institute’s progress but also a broader vision for the development of society, industry and eastern Uttar Pradesh.He said the institute was playing an active role in regional and national development through research, innovation, startups, industry partnerships and agriculture-based technological solutions. He added that the proposed Agritech Business Park would help connect farmers with modern technology, value addition and innovation-driven agricultural models.BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi said IIT-BHU had, for decades, upheld the tradition of excellence in technical education and contributed significantly to nation-building. Appreciating the institute’s achievements, research, alumni engagement, industry collaboration and leadership, he said joint academic programmes, collaborative research, technology transfer and startup initiatives between BHU and IIT-BHU would be further expanded in the coming years.Shailesh Chandra Ajit Kumar Saxena (Profession category) Shirish Sathaye, Amit Walia and Anil G Verma ((Industry/Entrepreneurship category) Prof Kale Lakshmikant V (in Academics category), Govind Mohan (in Public Life category), Ranji Vaidyanathan (in Research and Innovation category), Atul Sinha and Vish Narayanan (in Distinguished Services to the Institute category), and Aditya Kandoi and Rajdeep Singh (in Young Alumnus Achiever Awards below 45 years category), were honoured on the occasion.
