- Dr Apoorva Pauranik, Director, Pauranik Academy of Medical Education, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the transformative role of computers, information technology, telecommunication, and artificial intelligence in the care of people with disorders of speech and language, particularly aphasia
- Prof Girijesh Prasad, Director, Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping (NIFBM) Facility, and Professor, Intelligent Systems, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, UK highlighted the synergistic potential of combining BCI and robotics to improve neurorehabilitation for stroke patients.
- The workshop also featured distinguished speakers from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), New Delhi, Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, Indore, Marengo CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad, and others
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, MAR 15
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) in association with Ulster University, hosted the insightful ‘Advances in Neurorehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Workshop on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) -Driven Stroke Rehabilitation’ at the Surendra C Sheth Learning Theatre on Monday-Tuesday- March 10-11, 2025. The event brought together a diverse group of neurologists, physiotherapists, researchers, and industry professionals to explore the latest innovations in stroke rehabilitation, highlighting the role of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology. It also featured a series of thought-provoking talks and hands-on demonstrations, aimed at advancing neurorehabilitation techniques and enhancing care for stroke survivors.
Dr Apoorva Pauranik, Director, Pauranik Academy of Medical Education, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the transformative role of computers, information technology, telecommunication, and artificial intelligence in the care of people with disorders of speech and language, particularly aphasia. His talk underlined the treatment gaps and foregrounded the technology-led interventions bridging them. Dr Pauranik also explained the various screening and rehabilitation techniques – some developed by his own team – underscoring the urgency of developing applications in Indian scripts for effective clinical assessment and therapy.
Following Dr Pauranik’s keynote, Prof Girijesh Prasad, Director, Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping (NIFBM) Facility, and Professor, Intelligent Systems, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, UK, delivered a session on ‘Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces: Enhancing Applicability Using Computational Intelligence and Technological Advances’. Prof Prasad highlighted the synergistic potential of combining BCI and robotics to improve neurorehabilitation for stroke patients.
Dr Saugat Bhattacharyya, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, UK, presented research on ‘Personalising Brain-Computer Interfaces Using Mental Fatigue’, showcasing the development of a personalised, self-paced BCI system. A team from Ulster University and IITGN performed a hands-on-demonstration of the neurorehabilitation system developed through international collaboration (delivered by the UKIERI Initiatives) and an ongoing UU ISPF – DfE project. It displayed how the model enables patients to take control of their rehabilitation while preventing mental fatigue, promoting effective therapy.
The second day of the workshop started with a keynote talk by Dr Rajinder K Dhamija, Professor of Neurology, Director, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), New Delhi. Dr Dhamija discussed the applications of technology in the rehabilitation of movement disorders, further enhancing the depth of discussions on the assistive role of BCI. The workshop also featured distinguished speakers from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), New Delhi, Vishesh Jupiter Hospital, Indore, Marengo CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad, and others. Several researchers from IITGN presented their ongoing research projects, highlighting the institute’s efforts in developing rehabilitative technologies.
Noting the significance of this initiative, Professor Yogesh Kumar Meena, Assistant Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, IITGN stated, “We invited participants from a diverse range of backgrounds including engineering, technology, and neuroscience, to share ideas and stimulate refreshing discussions on how BCI can benefit stroke survivors. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration and innovation in this critical area of healthcare, and we hope to organise this again in the near future.”
