Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has joined forces with Excelsoft Technologies, a leading provider of educational technology solutions, to establish an advanced research lab dedicated to educational design and creative learning. Named the 'Prof. Dhananjaya Lab for Education Design and Creative Learning,' the facility honors the late Prof. M.H. Dhananjaya, a visionary educationist and former chairman of Excelsoft Technologies.

The collaboration between IIT Ropar and Excelsoft aims to combine academic research with industry expertise to foster innovation in the EdTech sector. The lab will focus on revolutionizing areas such as assessments, proctoring, and educational delivery, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a central role in product development. This partnership underscores the importance of integrating academic insights with real-world applications to enhance educational experiences globally.

The Dhananjaya Lab will primarily conduct product research aimed at transforming learning and assessments for the AI-driven world. Researchers will develop indigenous AI models to enhance existing learning and assessment products, making them more robust and scalable. Additionally, the lab will support Blue-skies research, encouraging the discovery of new ideas, principles, and technologies to elevate the education ecosystem.

The lab will be jointly led by Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar, Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at IIT Ropar, who will serve as the principal investigator, and Mr. D. Sudhanva, Founder and CEO of Excelsoft Technologies, acting as the Executive Sponsor. Key members from Excelsoft's leadership team, including Prashanth H M (Head of Corporate Strategy), Adarsh MS (Vice President of Growth & Strategy), Sridhar Joies (Associate Director of Learning & Proctoring Solutions), and Rahul Gautham (Lead AI Strategist), will contribute as administrative and research leads. The IIT Ropar research team will include PhD scholars, MTech and BTech students, and dedicated staff to manage the lab’s operations.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar stated, “We are excited to partner with Excelsoft, a collaboration that opens new avenues for our students to explore, experiment, and develop innovative EdTech products. The Dhananjaya Lab will significantly boost IIT Ropar’s research capabilities and allow us to explore the transformative potential of AI in education and learning”.

Adarsh Sudhindra, Vice President of Growth & Strategy at Excelsoft Technologies, also shared his excitement about the partnership. “We are thrilled to be part of this transformative collaboration with IIT Ropar. This partnership not only accelerates our efforts to innovate in the EdTech space but also bridges the gap between industry and academia. By leveraging IIT Ropar’s research expertise and Excelsoft’s industry knowledge, we aim to co-create AI-driven education solutions that redefine learning experiences globally. The Dhananjaya Lab will play a key role in exploring new frontiers in technology, empowering both educators and learners to embrace the future of education”.

Mr. D. Sudhanva, Founder and CEO of Excelsoft Technologies, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “We are truly honored to embark on this partnership with IIT Ropar. This collaboration provides us with access to a world-class research ecosystem, enriching our journey as an EdTech product and service company. By combining our industry expertise with IIT Ropar’s academic excellence, we aim to position India as a global leader in developing cutting-edge EdTech products that revolutionize teaching and learning”.

Excelsoft Technologies has over two decades of experience in developing world-class e-learning products and solutions across K-12, higher education, and corporate training sectors. With a presence in more than 25 countries, Excelsoft works closely with global educational institutions, government agencies, and organizations to design cutting-edge e-learning tools. The partnership with IIT Ropar further strengthens the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and building capabilities among its students and researchers to develop impactful, globally relevant products and technologies.

The Prof. Dhananjaya Lab for Education Design and Creative Learning represents a forward-thinking approach to education, combining research, technology, and innovation to shape the future of learning. Through this collaboration, both IIT Ropar and Excelsoft aim to make significant strides in the EdTech space, creating solutions that will have a transformative impact on education worldwide.