IIIT-A makes a foray into the digital media world

Sets up state-of-the-art laboratory for advanced research

SURGICAL OPERATIONS without patients and instruments, extinct dinosaurs walking down the narrow lanes of Chowk and matching magic of digital imaging are just a few to mention in the galaxy of astonishing endeavours of IT necromancers who would all soon join hands at the Digital Media Interest Group (DMIG) Research Lab established at Allahabad's Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-A).

The aim behind setting up of the lab and having a group of dedicated individuals is to have an ambitious platform for developing talent and software in the areas of computer graphics, computer gaming, mobile gaming, geometric modelling, simulation, visualisation, computer vision and human-computer interaction among others.

The DMIG is being headed by adjacent professor at IIIT-A and a senior official of the Ministry of IT Prof RC Tripathi. Informing about the latest initiative, Director of IIIT-A Dr MD Tiwari said that right from inception of the institute , efforts to nourish the skills and imaginative power of students have been a top priority.

"The DMIG is one such effort of our which we are sure will produce world class software developers and simulation specialists," he said.

Assistant Professor Dr Anupam Agarwal, who is chairperson DMIG, said that the group is a voluntary platform for both students and teachers who are invited to exhibit and polish their imaginations and skills.

Dr Agarwal further said that state-of-art research laboratory developed for the mission is well-equipped with high performance computers configured with GPUs to meet the challenges of heavy and complex graphical calculations.

"Latest instruments of imaging and simulation like Global Positioning System Receiver, Radeon 9800 Pro (R350) GPU have been made available for carrying out the research which we are confident can produce landmark results for the next generation," he added.

The group is also eyeing emerging market of computer gaming and need of skilled and trained developers that is expected to hit an all time high in the days to come. "Since gaming companies increasingly demand programmers or leading engineers with an in-depth comprehension and a solid background in mathematics, physics, and 3D computer graphics, DMIG also aims to develop such talents who can meet the future demand of these companies," added Dr Anupam Agarwal.

Dr Agarwal said that efforts are being made to procure some funds from the Union Ministry of Information Technology especially to carry out research in uncovered areas of IT and computer graphics.

The group is also vying to render yeoman service in the field of medical research with its unique initiative—Virtual Patient (VP). "It is an initiative that uses simulation and modelling of the patient, and of the interface between doctor and patient, to help bridge the gap between medical research and clinical practice.

VP research occupies interesting territory already being explored by physicians, computer scientists, psychologists, biologists, physicists, mathematicians, educators and others. The purpose of the series is to establish common research goals and areas of concentration within the university and to foster collaborations," said Dr Agarwal.

Dwelling over Image Processing, Dr Agarwal said that it is a vast area for research projects. It includes Stereo Image processing, Multispectral Image Classification and Change Detection, Automatic Object Detection, Image Information Mining, Content-based Image Retrieval, Video Data Analysis, Digital Watermarking, Use of Wavelet, Neuro-Fuzzy and Softcomputing techniques for digital image analysis, Image compression.