Indore, 9 October 2026 The Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore, in association with the Robotronics Club, IET-DAVV, and FICCI FLO Indore, organised an expert lecture titled From 5G to 6G – Emerging Opportunities on 9 October 2026 at the Dr Manohar Chandwani Memorial Auditorium, IET-DAVV. The event focused on emerging telecommunications technologies, industry expectations, career opportunities, and the skills required to prepare future-ready engineers.

The programme featured Ms. Alka Selot Asthana, Global Head – Regulatory Affairs, Tata Communications Limited, as the keynote speaker. The event was graced by Prof. Rakesh Singhai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, DAVV, and Ms. Vandana Gujrati, Chairperson, FICCI FLO Indore (2026–27), as chief guests. Dr Pratosh Bansal, Director, IET-DAVV, felicitated the distinguished guests.

Emphasis on Alumni Engagement and Technical Excellence.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rakesh Singhai emphasised the important role of alumni in the growth and development of educational institutions. He highlighted how alumni engagement, professional expertise, industry connections, and mentorship can strengthen academic programmes and create new opportunities for students. He encouraged students to continuously upgrade their technical skills and remain abreast of emerging technologies to meet the evolving requirements of the telecommunications sector.

Ms. Vandana Gujrati highlighted the initiatives undertaken by FICCI FLO Indore in the areas of women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and professional development. She underscored the importance of encouraging women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and creating an enabling environment in which women can pursue technological careers, develop leadership capabilities, and contribute to innovation and nation-building.

From 5G to 6G: Emerging Technologies and Career Opportunities

Delivering the expert lecture, Ms. Alka Selot Asthana shared valuable insights from her professional journey across government service and the corporate telecommunications sector. Recalling her early career in the Indian Engineering Services (IES) within the government telecommunications department, she shared her experience of working on the erection of the first 3G tower. She subsequently transitioned to the corporate sector, working with leading telecommunications organisations, including Bharti and Tata Communications.

Drawing upon her extensive industry experience, she discussed the evolution of telecommunications networks, the transition from 5G towards 6G, and the emerging opportunities for engineering graduates. She encouraged students to prepare seriously for competitive examinations such as GATE and UPSC, highlighting the career pathways available through technical government services and other professional opportunities in the telecommunications sector.

Emphasising the importance of practical knowledge, Ms. Asthana noted that engineering education must extend beyond theoretical understanding. She encouraged students to gain hands-on experience through laboratory experimentation, hardware development, and practical problem-solving. She also stressed the importance of continuous learning and developing industry-relevant competencies to keep pace with the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.

Showcasing Innovation at IET-DAVV Laboratories

As part of the programme, Ms. Asthana visited the Advanced VLSI Laboratory, where she reviewed integrated circuits designed by the laboratory team and appreciated the students’ technical work and practical initiatives.

She also visited the IoT Laboratory and Robotronics Club, where students demonstrated several hardware prototypes, including a drone, a rover, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). These demonstrations highlighted the institute’s commitment to experiential learning, technological innovation, and hands-on exposure to emerging engineering applications.

The laboratory visits provided an opportunity to showcase students’ technical capabilities and the institute’s efforts to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical implementation.

Strengthening Industry–Academia Collaboration.

The expert lecture provided students and faculty members with an opportunity to interact with an experienced telecommunications professional and gain insights into technological advancements, career development, and industry expectations. The session reinforced the importance of integrating academic learning with industrial applications while motivating students to pursue excellence in technical education, research, and innovation.

The organising committee comprised Dr Ravi Sindal (Coordinator), Dr Raksha Upadhyay, Dr Vaibhav Neema, Dr Ashish Panchal, Dr Tapesh Sarsodiya, Dr Sangita Solanki, and students of the Robotronics Club. The programme was organised with the objective of strengthening industry–academia interaction, promoting awareness of emerging technologies, and motivating students to explore opportunities in telecommunications and allied engineering fields.

The event concluded on a positive note, reaffirming the importance of innovation, practical learning, professional development, and collaboration among academia, industry, alumni, and professional organisations in preparing the next generation of engineers for the technological challenges and opportunities of the future.