The 2024 Smart Villages Symposium
This event will focus on how rural people experience and use smart technologies, emphasizing the impact of new digital tools and technology, new modes of connectivity and new large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence. Special attention will be given to the challenges faced by youth and other marginalized populations. It will pay specific attention to how these technologies benefit rural communities and create new opportunities as well as new risks, such as social inequality, polarization, and misinformation. The event is intended for researchers, practitioners, students, and anyone else who may be interested in these issues.
Speakers will include representatives from universities, governments, NGOs, and businesses. Networking and mentoring opportunities will be available for University of Guelph students.
Please note: All participants, whether participating online or in person, are required to register in advance.
Where & When
The OAC Arboretum Centre
College Ave East, Guelph, ON, Canada
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m EST
Co-chairs
Dr. V. I. Lakshmanan,
Process Research ORTECH Inc.
Dr. Stuart McCook,
University of Guelph
Agenda
8:00 a.m.
Arrival and Registration
Light Refreshments Served
8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks
- Mr. Jason Moreton, VP External, University of Guelph
- Dr. V.I. Lakshmanan, Vice Chair and CEO, Process Research ORTECH Inc.
- Ritesh Malik, Chair, Canada India Foundation
9:00 a.m.
Opening Plenary (Smart Villages)
- Dr. Kumar Murty, Director, Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, University of Toronto
- Athreya Venkatesh (virtual), Economist and Advisor, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
- Marc Kealey, Chief Advocate, Kealey & Associates Inc.
- Jacques NdoutouMvé, Vice President, Canada-Africa Chamber of Commerce
Moderator: Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury, Associate Professor, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph
10:15 a.m.
Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.
Panel 1: Smart Villages: Rural Community Perspective
- Ponraj Vellaichamy, Former Technical Advisor to President Abdul Kalam (India)
- Athreya Venkatesh (virtual), Economist and Advisor, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
- Jacques NdoutouMvé, Vice President, Canada-Africa Chamber of Commerce
- Kalyan Sundaram
Moderator: Dr. Lakshmanan
11:30 a.m.
Panel 2: Smart Villages + Rural Business
- Sankar DasGupta, CEO, Electrovaya
- Prashant Pathak, CEO, Ekagrata Inc.
- Ritesh Malik, Chair, Canada India Foundation
Moderator: Kalyan Sundaram
12:30 p.m.
Lunch and networking
Enjoy a walk through the Arboretum!
2:00 p.m.
Panel 3: Smart Technologies Opportunities + Challenges
- Dr. Satinder Brar (virtual), Professor, James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering, York University, Director, One Water Institute
- Edet Uduak, Doctoral Student, SEDRD, University of Guelph
- Dr. Khondokar Humayun Kabir, Post-Doctoral Fellow, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph
Moderator: Dr. Guneet Kaur
3:00 p.m.
Panel 4: Indigenous Communities and Smart Technologies
- Marc Kealey, Chief Advocate, Kealey & Associates Inc.
- Dr. Ashleigh Domingo, Assistant Professor, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph
- Petera Hudson (virtual), Research Fellow, Massey University (New Zealand)
Moderator: Dr. Stuart McCook, AVP, International, University of Guelph
4:00 p.m.
Coffee Break
4:15 p.m.
Open Dialogue – Where are we going from here?
- Speakers, moderators, and audience members
Moderator: Dr. Stuart McCook, AVP, International, University of Guelph
4:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks
- Dr. Stuart McCook, AVP, International, University of Guelph
- Dr. V.I. Lakshmanan, Vice Chair and CEO, Process Research ORTECH Inc.
Featured Speakers
Will be announced shortly.
Our Sponsors
- Canada India Foundation
- University of Guelph
Organizing Committee
- Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, University of Guelph
- Dr. Belinda Leach, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, University of Guelph
- Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury, School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, University of Guelph
- Dr. Guneet Kaur, School of Engineering, University of Guelph
- Natasha Fernandez, Office of International Strategy & Partnerships, University of Guelph
- Caitlin Smith, Office of International Strategy & Partnerships, University of Guelph
- Kalyan Sundaram
Additional Information
There is free parking at The Arboretum for all participants.
Contact Us
avpi@uoguelph.ca
519-824-4120 Ext. 52755
University Centre, 3rd Floor, Room 346
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
ATTN: "Office of International Strategy and Partnerships"