Mangaluru: Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, in association with Mphasis Foundation, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), and NASSCOM Foundation, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Mphasis AI & Robotics Lab at the Sahyadri campus on May 22, 2026.
The inauguration ceremony was led by M. C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, who formally unveiled the plaque of the advanced innovation facility in the presence of dignitaries, industry leaders, faculty members, students, and invited guests.
Among the prominent dignitaries present were Mr. Sudham Das, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council and former Enforcement Directorate officer; Ms. Deepa Nagaraj, Senior Vice President and Head – ESG, Sparkle Innovation Ecosystem and Communications, Mphasis Foundation; Mr. Raman Madhok, Managing Director of Kahani Designworks Private Limited; Mr. Krishna Hegde, Director – Group General Manager-Human Resource at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited; Mr. Sumith Chauhan, Head-CSR, Mphasis; Mr. Chetan Dixit, Vice President of KDEM; Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman of Sahyadri College; and Dr. S. S. Injaganeri, Principal of the institution.
Sahyadri emphasises industry-ready education
Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Johnson Tellis, CEO of Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, highlighted the institution’s commitment towards creating future-ready graduates equipped with technical expertise, innovation skills, and entrepreneurial capabilities.
He stated that the inauguration of the Mphasis AI & Robotics Lab reflects Sahyadri’s continued efforts to build a resilient and innovation-driven student ecosystem capable of adapting to the evolving industry landscape.
Mr. Tellis emphasised that students must move beyond academic excellence and actively develop practical exposure, internship experience, hands-on technical knowledge, and entrepreneurial thinking to become job creators rather than merely job seekers.
He further noted that the initiative represents a strong collaboration between industry, academia, faculty members, and the Government in strengthening skill development and innovation-oriented education.
Referring to the institution’s vision, he acknowledged the continuous support and leadership of Chairman Mr. Manjunath Bhandary and reiterated that “Sahyadri is for all in the state.”
Minister praises Sahyadri’s innovation-driven ecosystem
Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. C. Sudhakar described the occasion as significant and expressed happiness over returning to the Sahyadri campus after his previous visit in December 2023.
The Minister stated that institutions like Sahyadri have become catalysts for transformative initiatives in Karnataka’s higher education sector. He remarked that the true strength of the institution lies not merely in its infrastructure but in its commitment towards skilling students and preparing them for modern industry requirements.
Dr. Sudhakar stressed that education today must go beyond theoretical learning and focus extensively on practical exposure and skill development.
Praising Chairman Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, the Minister described him as a visionary leader whose educational initiatives can serve as a model for government colleges across Karnataka. He remarked that the institution competes not merely at the regional level but with global standards.
The Minister also appreciated the role of Mphasis Foundation in supporting innovation and skilling initiatives and encouraged similar collaborations with government colleges across the state.
Highlighting the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Sudhakar urged educational institutions to integrate AI across all domains for the benefit of students and appreciated Sahyadri for staying ahead in innovation and educational transformation.
Concluding his address, he encouraged students to utilise emerging opportunities effectively and remarked, “Society is an open field – bring out the best in you.”
Industry-academia collaboration to promote innovation
Speaking during the event, Ms. Deepa Nagaraj of Mphasis Foundation stated that the primary objective of the AI & Robotics Lab is to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
She explained that the lab would provide students with practical exposure, innovation opportunities, and industry-relevant skills while strengthening the connection between educational institutions and corporate expectations.
Ms. Deepa Nagaraj also announced that the initiative would support students through seed funding opportunities, enabling them to utilise the lab for experimentation, innovation, research, and project development.
She stated that the long-term goals of the programme include the development of patents, research publications, and student-led start-ups.
Highlighting evolving industry trends, she observed that organisations today are not only searching for coding expertise but also individuals capable of applying Artificial Intelligence to solve real-world challenges.
She further remarked that hackathons and innovation-driven problem-solving platforms are increasingly becoming important indicators of employability and talent.
Dignitaries praise Sahyadri’s academic environment
Mr. Sudham Das shared that he had consistently heard positive feedback about Sahyadri College from officers and colleagues whose children studied at the institution.
Expressing admiration for the campus ecosystem, he remarked that Sahyadri was “nothing less than an IIT” in terms of professionalism, infrastructure, organisation, and academic standards.
He further stated that the institution is a matter of pride not only for Mangaluru but for the entire state of Karnataka.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Chetan Dixit of KDEM reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment towards supporting higher educational institutions in creating industry-oriented innovation ecosystems.
He appreciated Sahyadri College for emerging as a model institution and stressed the need to establish “more Sahyadris” across Karnataka to accelerate educational and technological progress.
Mr. Raman Madhok, speaking as a guest of honour, encouraged students and faculty members to continuously upgrade themselves and remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global environment.
He emphasised the importance of lifelong learning and urged educators and students to constantly “recharge their batteries” through skill enhancement and self-development.
Chairman highlights vision for skill-based education
Delivering the Presidential Remarks, Chairman Mr. Manjunath Bhandary reflected upon the institution’s journey towards strengthening industry integration and skill-based learning.
He stated that the widening gap between academic education and industry expectations motivated Sahyadri to focus extensively on skilling initiatives and practical training.
Mr. Bhandary noted that Mphasis Foundation came forward to establish the AI & Robotics Lab after recognising the institution’s consistent commitment towards innovation and world-class infrastructure.
On behalf of the institution, he assured that Sahyadri would provide the best possible ecosystem for students to effectively utilise the lab for innovation, research, and skill development.
He also highlighted the institution’s vision of bringing industries directly onto the campus and ensuring paid internship opportunities for students to create a culture of accountability and experiential learning.
Concluding his address, Mr. Bhandary encouraged students to become job creators capable of generating opportunities for others.
Summing up his philosophy on education and employability, he remarked, “Academics is the passport, but skills are the visa to success.”
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Monisha Shetty of the MBA Department, who expressed gratitude to dignitaries, industry leaders, faculty members, students, media representatives, and stakeholders for making the event successful.
