Bhubaneswar: Highlighting the growing synergy in frontier technologies, Ms. Maya Sherman, Innovation Attache at the Embassy of Israel in India, visited the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University. The visit served as a strategic platform for discussing deep-tech initiatives and strengthening the bilateral innovation roadmap between India and Israel.
During her interaction with senior researchers, Ms. Sherman focused on the evolution of innovation ecosystems, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence and quantum science into the startup landscape. Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, and Dr. Manas Kumar Mallick, Director of SOA, presented the university’s forward-looking vision, emphasizing developments in emerging areas of science and technology.
The conversation took a specialized turn toward quantum research as Prof. Prasanta Kumar Panigrahi, Director of the Centre for Quantum Science and Technology, detailed the university’s impactful work in the field. This aligns with Ms. Sherman’s broader role in overseeing collaborative research and digital diplomacy between the two nations.
As a representative of Israel at global forums like the Global Partnership in Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and a contributor to AI literacy initiatives with the OECD, Ms. Sherman provided insights into the ethical and practical applications of deep-tech. She engaged directly with startup founders and budding innovators, including Dr. Bharat J.R. Sahu and Mr. Chinmaya Ayesh, to discuss entrepreneurship practices that have made Israel a global leader in high-tech disruption.
Mr. Rajeev Kumar, representing the AIC-SOA Foundation, guided the attache through the incubation infrastructure, showcasing a startup portfolio that bridges the gap between laboratory research and market-ready solutions. The visit, which included participation from Dr. Bijay Kumar Sahu of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), underscores a shared commitment to fostering MSMEs and startups in critical sectors like AI, defense technology, and digital transformation.
