PSIT

Speaker: Dr. Ananda Hota (UM-DAE Centre for excellence in Basic Sciences)
Topic: Black Hole Galaxy Co-evolution
Dr. Hota gave us a comprehensive look at how black holes and their host galaxies grow and influence each other over cosmic time. Beyond the astrophysics, he shared exciting details about the "Organics in Space" initiative working to strengthen India's role in astrochemistry research. The talk made a compelling case for why we need more national labs and international collaborations to study how the building blocks of life formed in our solar system.

Competition : Boltzmann Brains 6.0
Topic: Measurement Altered Quantum Matter
Our flagship physics quiz made its grand return during the 5th Foundation Week! Teams of two battled it out answering questions that covered everything from classical mechanics to modern physics. The competition was fierce, the questions were tough, and the energy in the room was electric. Cash prizes went to the teams with the quickest thinking and deepest knowledge of physics fundamentals and history.

Competition: Poster Presentation Competition
Students got to present their research just like at a professional conference, complete with posters and technical Q&A sessions. Faculty and fellow students stopped by to learn about each project, leading to some really engaging discussions. It was great practice for anyone looking to present at actual conferences down the line, and a chance to get feedback on your work from people who genuinely care about your research.

Competition: Sci-Fi Story Writing
Who says physics can't be creative? This Foundation Week competition challenged students to blend hard science with imaginative storytelling. Participants crafted speculative fiction that explored futuristic scenarios grounded in real physical principles. It was awesome to see people's scientific knowledge fuel their creativity, proving that physics and storytelling can go hand in hand.

Workshop: Rad@home Astronomy Workshop
This wasn't your typical stargazing session - we got hands-on with real astronomical data analysis. Participants learned to process galaxy images across multiple wavelengths (UV, Optical, IR, and Radio) and work with FITS files from GMRT. These are the same tools professional astronomers use, making this workshop essential for anyone serious about observational astronomy research.

5th Foundation Anniversary Week:Events