The Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology (FEST), Adani University, organized an expert lecture on “Domain-Guided Machine Learning for Resilient Urban Systems” on Monday, 2 November 2026, at the University Auditorium. The session was conducted for first-year students of Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) [CSE (AI-ML)] and Computer and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) as part of the Environmental Science course.

The lecture marked the first session in a series of expert lectures being organized by FEST under the Environmental Science course. The initiative aims to supplement classroom learning by exposing students to emerging technologies, contemporary research, and their interdisciplinary applications in addressing environmental and societal challenges.

The session was delivered by Dr. Udit Bhatia, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, who shared valuable insights into the integration of domain knowledge and machine learning for developing resilient urban systems.

Dr. Bhatia is a Pandya-Shivpuri Chair Associate Professor at IIT Gandhinagar, with interdisciplinary affiliations in Artificial Intelligence and Earth Sciences and a joint appointment with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

During the lecture, Dr. Bhatia emphasized the importance of domain-guided machine learning in addressing complex urban and environmental challenges. He discussed how integrating scientific and domain-specific knowledge with data-driven computational techniques can improve the understanding of environmental processes and support more reliable decision-making. Drawing upon applications in urban flooding, climate change, and water-resource management, he highlighted the potential of machine learning, hydrological modelling, and network science in assessing environmental risks and strengthening the resilience of urban systems.

The session offered students valuable exposure to the interdisciplinary applications of artificial intelligence and computational methods beyond conventional engineering domains. It also highlighted the growing relevance of technological innovation in addressing challenges related to climate change, urban sustainability, and natural-resource management. By connecting concepts from Environmental Science with contemporary developments in artificial intelligence and civil engineering, the lecture helped students appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in developing solutions to real-world problems.

The event was coordinated by Dr. Ankur Kapoor, Dr. Partho Mukherjee, and Dr. Rajesh Chouchan of FEST. The expert lecture series is part of FEST’s continued efforts to strengthen experiential and interdisciplinary learning by bringing distinguished academicians and professionals from reputed institutions into direct interaction with students.

Through this initiative, Adani University seeks to foster scientific curiosity, encourage research-oriented thinking, and equip students with a broader understanding of how emerging technologies can contribute to sustainable development and address pressing environmental and societal challenges.