A delegation of 39 young diplomats from 39 different countries, participating in the 3rd Special Course for the Global South Young Diplomats Forum (GSYDF), visited IIT Bhubaneswar today as part of their academic and cultural immersion in India.
The visit highlighted India’s commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and people-to-people engagement.
This flagship program, organised by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) from 8 to 19 September 2025, was launched in 2023 following the Voice of the Global South Summit convened by the Honourable Prime Minister of India. This year’s edition brings together young diplomats from across developing nations to build synergies on global priorities and challenges.
At IIT Bhubaneswar, Professor Shreepad Karmalkar, the Director of the Institute, delivered a welcome address and presentation introducing the Institute’s vision, academic ecosystem, and research strengths. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Karmalkar said, “We are privileged to host the young diplomats of the Global South at our campus. IIT Bhubaneswar is committed to advancing knowledge and innovation that address not only India’s needs but also global challenges. We look forward to exploring opportunities for academic and research collaborations with the countries represented here today.”
The visit provided the diplomats with an opportunity to engage in lively discussions with the Director and faculty members to explore existing academic and international research collaborations. The discussions highlighted IIT Bhubaneswar’s growing leadership in science, technology, and sustainable solutions. The delegation also toured some of the Institute’s cutting-edge facilities, including the Silicon Carbide Research and Incubation Centre, Research and Entrepreneurship Park, Robotics Laboratory, and Active Collaborative Learning Classrooms. These visits showcased IIT Bhubaneswar’s commitment to advancing technology-driven innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning.
On behalf of SSIFS, Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean; Dr. Amrita Banerjee, Deputy Secretary; and Dr. Sama Haq, Faculty, accompanied the delegates. The program was coordinated by Professor Ashis Biswas, Dean (Alumni, Corporate, and International Relations), and Bamadev Acharya, Registrar of the Institute. Senior faculty members and officers were also present during the occasion.
