Drone tech bootcamp concludes at GCW M.A. Road

Srinagar, July 27: A week-long bootcamp on Artificial Intelligence in Drones, organized by the Department of Computer Applications, Government College for Women (GCW), M.A. Road, Srinagar, in collaboration with NIELIT, concluded successfully, leaving participants inspired and technologically empowered.According to a statement issued here, the bootcamp, attended by over 60 students from the Computer Applications stream, offered a blend of technical lectures, live demonstrations, and hands-on training, covering a broad spectrum of topics—from drone hardware architecture and AI integration to simulation and regulatory frameworks for UAVs. The sessions were conducted by expert resource persons from NIELIT and NIT Srinagar, who shared their insights on drone technology, AI applications, autonomous systems, and legal compliance. Participants were given real-time experience in assembling drones, simulating flight paths, and flying them in both manual and autonomous modes.During the valedictory session, Principal Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq underlined the importance of such skill-building platforms in preparing students for future innovations in emerging technologies. She appreciated the department’s efforts in hosting a bootcamp that aligns with the national goals of fostering innovation and self-reliance. Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz, Joint Director and Scientist-D at NIELIT, emphasized the critical role AI will play in the future of autonomous aerial systems and encouraged students to explore interdisciplinary research. Earlier, Prof. Rashid Ashraf Malik provided a detailed overview of the bootcamp’s proceedings and learning outcomes. A key highlight of the event was a live demo by MCA student Aijaz Hussain, who presented a project on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), which received considerable appreciation from the attendees and guests alike. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates among participants. The bootcamp not only improved the participants’ understanding of drone hardware, software systems, and regulatory landscapes, but also helped build practical skills in UAV operation and AI integration. Students were also briefed about grant and funding opportunities from agencies like MeitY, DST, and AICTE, aimed at supporting research-based innovations and tech startups in drone and AI technologies. The valedictory session was anchored by Prof. Malik Durafshan, while the Vote of Thanks was presented by Dr. Asif Iqbal Kawoosa. The event was coordinated by Dr. Asif Iqbal Kawoosa and Prof. Rashid Ashraf Malik from GCW, along with Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Fayaz from NIELIT. The organising team also comprised Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Najar, Prof. Durafshan, Dr. Junaid Latief Shah and Prof. Mohammad Umar John, whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the bootcamp. The bootcamp concluded with renewed enthusiasm among students to pursue technological innovation, with many expressing interest in working on drone-based applications for disaster response, agriculture and surveillance.