New Delhi: The Centre for Biomedical Engineering at IIT Delhi and the University of Exeter, UK, are proud to announce the successful hosting of the Joint Symposium on Sports Healthcare Science and Engineering. The event brought together leading researchers, academicians, industry experts, and healthcare professionals to explore cutting-edge advancements at the intersection of sports science, healthcare, and engineering. 

The two institutions had signed an MoU in January 2024 to explore synergies in areas of critical importance to India and the UK.

The symposium, held on 30^th and 31^st January 2025 at IIT Delhi, aimed to foster collaboration between India and the UK in addressing critical challenges and opportunities in sports and healthcare, with a focus on leveraging engineering innovations to enhance athlete performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and technical sessions covering topics such as wearable technologies, biomechanics, sports injury management, and data-driven approaches to athlete health.

In his opening address, Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, highlighted the importance of the partnership and underscored IIT Delhi’s growing interest in the areas of sports and healthcare engineering. The symposium was inaugurated by Prof. James Gomes, Dean, International Programs, IIT Delhi and Prof. Joanna Bowtell, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health & Life Sciences at University of Exeter.

Brig. Dr. Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, Director, National Centre for Sports Science and Research, Sports Authority of India, delivered the keynote lecture where he highlighted the remarkable achievements of our athletes in recent Olympics and Paralympics. He emphasized the importance of an evidence-based approach towards Sports Science. He also pointed to the need for close collaboration with IIT Delhi and international partners by establishing joint high-performance centers for the development of sports technology.

Panel discussions involving renowned experts from both institutions as well as stakeholders from clinical and industry partners highlighted challenges and opportunities as well as latest innovations in sports and healthcare engineering.

The symposium also featured several technology demonstrations including ultrasound-based human-machine interfaces; a robotic platform for testing footwear traction and a home rehabilitation robot developed by research groups at the Centre for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi.

Day 2 of the symposium was marked with research presentations highlighting work across three thematic areas - Biosensing and wearable technologies, Biomechanics and motor control & Psychology and sensorimotor control. The talks were followed by intense brainstorming sessions to identify gaps and opportunities for greater collaboration.

Prof. James Gomes, Dean, International Programmes, IIT Delhi, remarked, "This symposium marks a significant step forward in strengthening the collaboration between IIT Delhi and the University of Exeter. By combining our expertise in engineering and healthcare, we can drive transformative solutions for athletes and individuals worldwide." 

Prof. Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, added, “At Exeter, we have worked with record-breaking marathon runners, Olympic athletes, and champion teams across cricket, rugby, and hockey. IIT Delhi’s innovation in fields including biomechanics, healthcare, and rehabilitation sciences is really impressive and complement Exeter’s applied sport science expertise perfectly. As India looks to enhance its global sporting impact—and potentially host an Olympic Games in the future—we are thrilled to share our expertise and collaborate with IIT Delhi and Indian industry leaders to push the boundaries of sporting excellence.”

Outcomes and Future Initiatives:

The symposium concluded with a discussion of a joint vision of several joint research and educational initiatives aimed at advancing sports healthcare science and engineering. Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration, with plans to establish a joint research center and organize follow-up events in the coming years.

About the University of Exeter:

The University of Exeter is a leading UK-based institution renowned for its research excellence and commitment to addressing global challenges. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, Exeter is at the forefront of sports science and healthcare innovation. 

About IIT Delhi:

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is one of India’s premier institutions for engineering, technology, and scientific research. Known for its academic excellence and innovation, IIT Delhi continues to contribute to global advancements in various fields. 

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