Imphal, August 04, 2026: The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Manipur Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipur University on Tuesday organised a Lecture-cum-Interaction Programme on Artificial Intelligence, innovation, intellectual property, technology transfer and research commercialisation at the Court Hall of Manipur University.
The programme was attended by Vice Chancellor (In-Charge) of Manipur University, Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, Prof. N. Basanta Singh, Dean, School of Engineering, Manipur University, and Prof Th Suresh Singh, Principal, MIT along with faculty members, researchers and students.
The programme featured two distinguished international experts—Prof. Virach Sornlertlamvanich, Professor, Department of Data Science, Musashino University, Tokyo, Japan, and Mr. Mairembam Shanjoy Singh, Director of IP2Impact Ltd., United Kingdom.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Virach highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in higher education and research while emphasising that AI should complement rather than replace human intelligence.
He observed that although generative AI can rapidly produce ideas by drawing upon existing knowledge, meaningful research still depends on human reasoning, critical thinking, experimentation and evidence-based validation. AI-generated outputs, he said, must be carefully analysed and verified before they are applied in research or decision making.
Drawing upon Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman’s theory of human cognition, Prof. Virach explained the distinction between “System 1” fast thinking and “System 2” slow, analytical thinking. He stressed that while AI is capable of accelerating routine tasks and generating information, researchers must rely on deliberate and analytical thinking to solve complex problems and make reliable decisions.
Presenting his vision for AI education, Prof. Virach introduced the Three Pillars of the MUDS/MIDS Programme, comprising AI Creation and Applications, AI Algorithm Design, and Social Innovation, all connected through research-integrated learning. He said the framework aims to prepare graduates not only for careers in AI engineering and data science but also for innovation across healthcare, agriculture, public administration, business and other sectors.
Speaking on research commercialisation, Mr. Mairembam Shanjoy Singh underscored the importance of transforming university research into products, technologies and enterprises that generate economic and societal benefits.
Drawing on experiences from the United Kingdom, he explained how leading universities have established structured systems for intellectual property management, technology transfer and startup creation, enabling research outcomes to reach industry and society. Universities, he noted, should formulate institutional policies suited to their own contexts rather than simply replicating models adopted elsewhere.
He said commercialisation does not necessarily require establishing new companies, as research outputs can also be licensed to existing industries through appropriate intellectual property agreements. Such mechanisms, he added, create additional revenue streams for both researchers and institutions.
Shanjoy further emphasised that successful research commercialisation requires dedicated institutional structures, including technology transfer offices, professional legal and commercial expertise, clear governance mechanisms and incentive systems that encourage faculty members to engage in innovation alongside teaching and research.
He also suggested that universities could diversify their outreach by offering specialised short-term and professional training programmes beyond conventional degree courses, thereby strengthening industry engagement while generating additional institutional income.
Rejecting the perception that institutions in smaller regions cannot compete globally, Shanjoy asserted that universities such as Manipur University possess the potential to emerge as centres of innovation by developing strategies suited to local realities while adopting globally proven practices.
The interactive session witnessed active participation from faculty members, research scholars and students, who engaged with the speakers on emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, intellectual property, innovation management, startup ecosystems and the future of research commercialisation.
Prof. Virach Sornlertlamvanich is an internationally recognised expert in Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and language engineering, with more than 230 scientific publications. Mr. Mairembam Shanjoy Singh is an innovation and growth specialist with nearly two decades of experience in intellectual property, technology transfer, venture creation and research commercialisation.
The programme aimed to expose participants to global best practices in Artificial Intelligence, innovation and university-industry collaboration while encouraging a stronger culture of research, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer within higher education.
