Panjab University hosts Indo-UK workshop on AI-enabled solar irrigation systems

Chandigarh, May 13, 2026: Panjab University and Birmingham City University discussed expanding ongoing Indo-UK research collaborations in AI-enabled solar irrigation and sustainable energy systems during a partnership development workshop held at the PU campus on Wednesday. The day-long international workshop on “Solar Irrigation Pumping System with AI Interface Connected to Grid” was organised under the guidance of PU Registrar Prof YP Verma, Dr Deepak Kumar and Prof Gaurav Verma.

The workshop focused on strengthening academic collaboration, promoting joint research initiatives and fostering innovation between institutions in India and the United Kingdom in the fields of sustainable energy, artificial intelligence applications and smart agriculture. Potential areas for future research collaboration and expansion of existing joint projects were also identified during the workshop.

Alba Smarigilo from the British Deputy High Commission attended the workshop as the chief guest. She highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the UK and Northern India in the areas of clean energy, innovation and academic partnerships.

Madhu Mishra, Senior Advisor for Economics, Climate and Development, also attended the workshop and shared insights on climate-compatible growth and sustainable development.

Delegates from Birmingham City University, including Prof Cham Athwal, Prof Florimond, Prof Shishank and Prof Navjot Kaur, participated in discussions on AI-driven smart irrigation systems, renewable energy integration and sustainable agricultural innovation.

Senior scientist Dr Satish Kumar and his team from the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, experts from Punjab Engineering College, faculty members from CGC University and faculty from Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environment Science, University Institute of Applied Management Sciences and University Business School of Panjab University also participated in the workshop. M.Tech and PhD research scholars from the University Institute of Engineering and Technology attended the deliberations.

Participants also highlighted the ongoing joint research grant project involving Birmingham City University, Panjab University and Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.

The visiting UK delegates toured various incubation and innovation facilities at PU, including BioNEST, CIL Lab, TBIU and DIC Labs at UIET, where they were briefed about ongoing projects, laboratory innovations and start-ups incubated at the centres.

Long-standing collaboration between Panjab University and Birmingham City University under initiatives including the GCRF collaboration agreement and DST-UKIERI supported activities were also discussed during the conference.