KEDLD 2025 brings together distinguished speakers and panelists to share insights on digital libraries, knowledge engineering, and innovation through engaging common sessions and expert-led discussions.
Fmr. Director, Dept. of CSE, IIT Kharagpur
Partha Pratim Chakrabarti (Chakraborty) (born 1962) is an Indian computer scientist. He is a distinguished professor and the former director of IIT Kharagpur. Dr. Chakrabarti has made pioneering research contributions and solved a number of open problems. His work has been incorporated in standard text books as well as industry level tools of major international companies. He has published more than 200 papers in international journals and conferences and supervised two dozen PhD students. He is also an honorary awardee of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, the highest science award in India, for the engineering category in 2000.
Vice Chancellor of IGNOU
Prof. Uma Kanjilal has been appointed as the first women Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). A distinguished academic and administrator, she has served IGNOU in various capacities, including as Professor of Library and Information Science and Pro-Vice Chancellor. With extensive expertise in digital learning, e-content development, and open and distance education, Prof. Kanjilal has contributed significantly to enhancing access to quality education through technology-enabled platforms. Her leadership emphasizes innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence. As Acting Vice Chancellor, she is committed to strengthening IGNOU’s role as a global leader in open and distance learning, empowering millions of learners worldwide.
Director General, RRRLF, India
Prof. Ajay Pratap Singh is the Director General of the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), India’s apex body for the promotion and development of public libraries. A visionary leader in library and information science, he has been instrumental in advancing nationwide initiatives to modernize and strengthen library services. Prof. Singh’s work emphasizes equitable access to knowledge, digital transformation of libraries, and fostering a culture of reading across communities. With a strong academic and administrative background, he continues to champion policies and programs that empower public libraries as inclusive knowledge hubs, supporting lifelong learning, research, and social development across India.
Professor & Director (Lib. & Inf.), IGNCA, India
Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh C. Gaur is an eminent academician, Fulbright Scholar, and cultural heritage expert with over 33 years of experience in library science, digital archiving, and knowledge management. He currently serves as Director (Library & Information) at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi. Prof. Gaur has led prestigious projects such as the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design and the National Mission on Cultural Mapping. A UNESCO International Advisory Committee member, prolific author, and global speaker, he has received numerous awards for his pioneering work in cultural preservation, academic integrity, and digital knowledge initiatives.
Dept. of CSE, IIT Kharagpur
Sudeshna Sarkar is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Head of the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoEAI) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. With extensive expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Data Science, she has significantly contributed to both academic research and applied innovations. Under her leadership, CoEAI fosters cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and industry partnerships to drive impactful AI solutions. Professor Sarkar is recognized for her commitment to advancing AI education, mentoring young researchers, and promoting technology-driven innovation for societal and industrial transformation.
Professor of Computer Science, Ashoka University
Dr. Partha Pratim Das obtained his PhD in 1988 and served as faculty at IIT Kharagpur (1988–98) before moving to industry as Director of Alumnus Software, CEO of A Quaint Technology, and Senior Director at Interra Systems, Kolkata. Returning to IIT Kharagpur in 2011, he served till 2022, holding roles such as Head of the Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Professor-in-Charge of the Research Park, and Joint PI of the National Digital Library of India. His interests span data science, software engineering, food computing, digital learning, and heritage. Dr. Das is widely recognized with prestigious national and international awards.
University of Kalyani
Prof. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kalyani. An eminent teacher and researcher, he has made significant contributions to Library and Information Science, with expertise in digital libraries, interoperability, and open-source solutions. Recipient of the IASLIC Best Young LIS Teacher Award, he has authored over 100 research papers and five books, including a notable work on Interoperability and Retrieval published by UNESCO, Paris. Prof. Mukhopadhyay has served as metadata consultant for the National Digital Library (IIT Kharagpur) and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the National Virtual Library Project.
Dept. of CSE, IIT Kharagpur
Prof. Pabitra Mitra is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Head of the Centre for Computational and Data Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His research interests include machine learning, data mining, information retrieval, and artificial intelligence, with applications in text, speech, and multimedia processing. He has published extensively, authored books, and led collaborative projects with national and international organizations. Prof. Mitra has guided numerous PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students. A recipient of several awards and fellowships, he continues to advance cutting-edge research and education in AI, data science, and computational technologies in India.
Dept. of CSE, IIT Kharagpur
Prof. Soumya K. Ghosh is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His research focuses on geoinformatics, spatial data science, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), distributed systems, and cloud computing. He has published extensively in leading journals and conferences and has led several sponsored research projects of national importance. Prof. Ghosh has also guided numerous doctoral and postgraduate students, contributing significantly to capacity building in emerging technologies. A recipient of various recognitions and honors, he continues to play a key role in advancing geospatial analytics and computational research in India.
Director (Library Services), Ashoka University
Dr. Shantanu Ganguly is the Director of Library Services at Ashoka University’s HDFC Library in Sonipat, Haryana. He brings over 25 years of experience in library and knowledge management from roles at AIIMS, Delhi University, IIM-Lucknow, and TERI. A scholar with multiple degrees including Ph.D. in Information Service Marketing, MBA, MSc, and master’s in Library & Information Science, he is focused on research, digital transformation, and expanding the library’s support to scholars across disciplines.
Director, Knowledge Resource Centre, TERI New Delhi
Dr. P. K. Bhattacharya is the Director of the Knowledge Resource Centre and Senior Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi. He heads the Knowledge Management Division, overseeing activities such as knowledge procurement, service innovation, digital value-based knowledge services, content processing, editorial work, and user-centered information services. He also serves as Head/Coordinator of the Environmental Information System on Renewable Energy and Climate Change at TERI, preparing reports and implementing projects for the Government. His recent work emphasises research data management, capacity development, and sustainability-driven knowledge solutions.
Professor, Metallurgy & Material Science, IIT Kharagpur
Professor Tapas Kumar Bandyopadhyay is a faculty member in the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. He holds a PhD from IIT Kharagpur and is noted for developing Fe-TiC and Fe-ZrC metal matrix composites using low-cost or waste raw materials. His research spans joining of dissimilar materials, advanced high-strength steels, melting & solidification, biomaterials, and intellectual property. He also serves as the Nodal Officer for Intellectual Property at the institute.
Professor for Information Science, University of Hildesheim
Professor Thomas Mandl is a distinguished scholar in Information Science at the University of Hildesheim, Germany. His research focuses on information retrieval, human-computer interaction, multilingual information systems, and the internationalization of information technology. With a Ph.D. completed in 2000 and a habilitation in 2006, he has contributed extensively to advancing global information management and user-centered information access. Professor Mandl actively teaches in the International Information Management program and has published numerous papers, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in the evolving field of information and communication technologies.
Lecturer in Data Science at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow.
Dr. Debasis Ganguly is a Lecturer in Data Science at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow. He earned his Ph.D. in Information Retrieval from Dublin City University and previously worked with IBM Research Europe in Dublin. His research focuses on information retrieval, natural language processing, bias mitigation in machine learning, and semantic modeling using embeddings. Dr. Ganguly’s work explores improving fairness, transparency, and performance in AI-driven systems. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary research in data science and continues to publish extensively in top-tier international journals and conferences.
Emeritus Professor, Aerospace Engineering, IIT KGP
Kalyan Prasad Sinhamahapatra is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. A distinguished academic and researcher, he has made notable contributions in the fields of aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and aerospace propulsion. Throughout his career, Professor Sinhamahapatra has guided numerous research scholars, published extensively in reputed journals, and advanced aerospace engineering education in India. His expertise and mentorship have played a vital role in shaping future aerospace engineers and researchers. As an Emeritus Professor, he continues to inspire academic excellence and contribute to the growth of aerospace research at IIT Kharagpur.
Associate Professor, Centre of Excellence in AI, IIT KGP
Dr. Plaban Kumar Bhowmick is an Associate Professor at the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoEAI), IIT Kharagpur. His academic and research interests focus on artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning, with a special emphasis on developing innovative algorithms and intelligent systems for real-world applications. At IIT Kharagpur, he plays a key role in advancing AI research, guiding students, and contributing to interdisciplinary projects that integrate AI with various domains. Through his work, Dr. Bhowmick is committed to fostering innovation, nurturing future AI talent, and driving impactful research that addresses global challenges in science and technology.
Librarian, Central Library IIT Kharagpur
Dr. B. Sutradhar is the Librarian of the Central Library at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and Joint Principal Investigator of the National Digital Library of India (NDLI). With extensive expertise in library and information science, digital resource management, and knowledge dissemination, he has played a pivotal role in transforming traditional libraries into modern digital learning spaces. At IIT Kharagpur, he has been instrumental in strengthening library services, research support, and technology-driven access to resources. Through his leadership in NDLI, Dr. Sutradhar contributes to building a comprehensive digital knowledge repository, fostering inclusive access to education and research nationwide.
University Librarian, DULS
Dr. Rajesh Singh is the University Librarian at the University of Delhi, where he leads the development and management of one of India’s largest academic library systems. With rich experience in library and information science, he has contributed significantly to modernizing library services through digital transformation, resource integration, and technology-enabled access to knowledge. Dr. Singh has been actively involved in research, training, and policy development, focusing on information literacy, knowledge management, and open-access initiatives. Under his leadership, the University of Delhi libraries continue to support cutting-edge research, academic excellence, and inclusive access to information for students, scholars, and faculty.
Professor, CSE IIT Kharagpur
Prof. Pawan Goyal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. He joined IIT Kharagpur in 2013 as an Assistant Professor after his post-doctoral tenure at INRIA, Paris Rocquencourt, where he worked on the Sanskrit Heritage Site. He earned his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and his Ph.D. from University of Ulster, UK, for work in ad-hoc information retrieval and text summarization. His research interests include Natural Language Processing, Text Mining, Information Retrieval, and Sanskrit Computational Linguistics.
Deputy Librarian, Central Library, IIT Kharagpur
Dr. Samir Kumar Jalal is the Deputy Librarian at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur since 2014. With expertise in library automation, digital resource management, and information services, he has been actively involved in managing library and library services including research support services to the users of the institute. Dr. Jalal is having 24 years of working experiences in academic libraries in delivering information services by leveraging emerging technology and ensuring efficient knowledge dissemination. His interest areas are bibliometrics, webometrics, information retrieval and digital library services. He plays a vital role in strengthening IIT Kharagpur’s library as smart library.
Deputy Librarian, Central Library, IIT Kharagpur
Samrat Guha Roy is the Deputy Librarian at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where he plays a significant role in managing and advancing library services at one of India’s leading academic institutions. With expertise in digital libraries, information management, and library automation, he has contributed to modernizing library operations and expanding access to scholarly resources. His work emphasizes technology-driven solutions, user-focused services, and innovative practices to support research, teaching, and learning. Committed to academic excellence and knowledge dissemination, Samrat Guha Roy continues to strengthen IIT Kharagpur’s library as a hub of information, innovation, and resourceful academic engagement.
Deputy Librarian, Central Library, IIT Kharagpur
M. Manivannan is taking a role as Deputy Librarian at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where he plays a significant role in managing and advancing library services at one of India’s leading academic institutions. His contributions in managing, coordinating subscriptions and budgets, conducting training sessions, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance academic and research support. Significant achievements include strengthening the library’s digital collection and improving resource management systems. He has presented research papers at reputed conferences on digital libraries, plagiarism detection, and AI in research, demonstrating professional engagement. With strengths in library software, programming, and user-focused services, he aims to further develop expertise in emerging AI applications.
The National Digital Library of India (NDLI) invites researchers, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to submit papers for the international symposium “Knowledge Engineering for Digital Library Design.”
