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September 2nd, 2025
Pune hosts first-ever ISPRS GIFTS Summit 2025 on Geospatial Innovation & Frontier Technologies for Sustainability

400+ participants from India and abroad, including 40 speakers, 150 oral presenters, and 100 poster presenters.
Cutting-edge technology presentations from IITs, NIITs, ISRO centres, CDAC and top universities, to be published in the ISPRS Annals (Copernicus Publishers).
Hosted across three premier venues: Bharati Vidyapeeth (Knowledge Track), YASHADA (Governance Track), and Symbiosis International University (Main Event & Industry Track).
Distinguished dignitaries included Dr. Shimrit Maman (Chair, Israel Space Agency), Prof. Dan Blumberg (Ben Gurion University, Israel), and leading Indian scientists, academics, and policymakers.
Alongside sessions, a Sponsors Showcase Exhibition and Poster Display by young researchers, academicians and PhD scholars are highlighting innovation and emerging talent.
Focus on frontier technologies, AI, big data, ESG solutions, sustainability, disaster resilience, and student innovation through the Geo-Vision 2025 Student Congress.

Mumbai : The inaugural GIFTS Summit 2025, a flagship ISPRS international event, opened with great momentum in Pune, uniting global thought leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry innovators. The Summit was inaugurated by Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, and Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman,Vice Chancellor of the Symbiosis International University. The Chief Guest, Dr. Shimrit Maman, Chair, Israel Space Agency, delivered the keynote address. The inaugural was also attended by eminent dignitaries including Padma Shri Dr. Pramod Kale, Former Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Dr. P.S. Roy, Senior Scientist & Educator and Dr. Anjana Vyas, Geospatial Researcher & Educator whose presence underscored the strong knowledge and institutional foundation of the Summit.

The conference was convened by Dr. Shirish Ravan, Director, EarthSight Foundation, and Dr. Tarun Pratap Singh, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics — both serving as Convenors of GIFTS Summit 2025. MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, headquartered in Pune and curating events in emerging domains of science & technology for the last 25 years, is the Event Partner for the inaugural edition of GIFTS Summit 2025.

Day 1 – September 1, 2025

Governance Track (YASHADA): Focused on using geospatial technologies for policymaking, disaster management, and citizen engagement. Speakers included Niranjan Sudhanshu (DG, YASHADA), Shekhar Gaikwad, (Additional Director General, YASHADA), Prof. Dan Blumberg (Ben Gurion University, Israel), Dr. Kunal Satyarthi (DoLR, GoI), Dr. Suhas Diwase (Maharashtra), and Dr. Shekhar Singh (PCMC).

Knowledge Track (Bharati Vidyapeeth): Themed “Youth for Spatial Futures”, featuring Dr. Shamita Kumar, Principal, BVIEER, Prof. Dr. Vivek Saoji (VC, Bharati Vidyapeeth), Prof. Dr. Salavatore Amaduzzi (University of Udine, Italy), and technical sessions by Dr. Shashi Kumar (IIRS) and Dr. Aravinth R. (BVIEER).

Day 2 – September 2, 2025

At Symbiosis International University, Day 2 featured lead talks by Prof. Dan Blumberg (Ben Gurion University, Israel), Shri Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana (Survey General of India), Dr. Prakash Chauhan (Director, NRSC), Dr. Kunal Satyarthi (DoLR, GoI), and Dr. S.P. Aggarwal (Director, NESAC). The day also hosted panel discussions on governance, innovation, and industry growth, along with parallel sessions on remote sensing, sustainability, frontier technologies, and disaster resilience.

 

Day 3 – September 3, 2025

The Summit will conclude with technical sessions, poster presentations, and the Geo-Vision 2025 Student Congress, where students will present innovative projects and be honored with the Geo-Vision Awards.

 

The GIFTS Summit 2025, hosted in Pune, stands as one of the most significant ISPRS events held in India in recent years. By bringing global thought leaders to Pune’s academic and policy institutions, the Summit reaffirms both India’s leadership and Pune’s role as a knowledge capital in advancing geospatial innovation and frontier technologies for sustainable growth.