Prof. Ritu Tiwari

Biography

I am currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) at Atal Bihari Vajpayee – Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (ABV-IIITM), Gwalior, an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Over the last 17+ years, my academic journey has been rooted in teaching, research, mentorship, and institutional leadership, with a core focus on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Nature-Inspired Optimization, Soft Computing and Swarm Intelligence.

I have served in diverse academic and leadership capacities at ABV-IIITM Gwalior, SVNIT Surat, and IIIT Pune. At IIIT Pune, I held roles such as BoG Member, Senate and BWC Member, ICC Chairperson, Dean and Director In-Charge (whenever assigned), overseeing key policy reforms, faculty development, and academic infrastructure. At SVNIT Surat, I served as Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence, DAAC Chairperson, Senate Member, and Advisor to the Women’s Cell, where I contributed to building a modern and inclusive research ecosystem. At ABV-IIITM Gwalior, where I have served since 2008 in various roles, I have contributed as Coordinator for major events (Infotsav, Aurora), Member of core committees including the NIRF Team, Disciplinary Committee, and Women's Grievance Cell. These roles have allowed me to contribute to both the academic and socio-cultural fabric of the institutions I have served.

As a researcher, I have led and collaborated on over 10 funded projects, with a cumulative grant value exceeding ₹5 crores, sponsored by DST, MHRD, DRDE, and DeitY. I am currently Co-Principal Investigator of a DST-TiHAN-funded project titled “Utilizing UAVs Equipped with AI/ML Technologies for Rescue Operations in Flood-Affected Areas.” This work integrates unmanned aerial vehicles with intelligent algorithms to address critical needs in disaster response and management. My earlier projects have focused on cyber-physical systems, speech-based information access for agriculture, intrusion detection, wireless sensor networks, and AI applications in biomedical domains.

Over the years, I have authored four books, edited two books and contributed 70+ international journal papers, 90+ international conference publications, and multiple book chapters, making my total scholarly output cross 170 publications. My books, including Discrete Problems in Nature-Inspired Algorithms (CRC Press), Real Life Applications of Soft Computing (CRC Press), Towards Hybrid and Adaptive Computing (Springer) and Intelligent Planning for Mobile Robotics (IGI Global), are widely used in academic and research circles. These works reflect a blend of theory, application, and innovation across computing domains.

A major pillar of my academic career is mentorship. I have successfully supervised 10 awarded Ph.D. scholars, with many more currently pursuing. I have also mentored around 140 M.Tech. dissertations and around 90 B.Tech. projects. I believe in nurturing research potential through collaborative thinking, hands-on experimentation, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. My research scholars have gone on to secure academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial positions, further contributing to the academic ecosystem.

In addition to research and teaching, I am an active contributor to organizing events like Conferences/FDPs/STTPs. I have organized and chaired several national and international conferences, including the International Conference on Computational Intelligence (2020, 2021,2022, 2024, 2025), in collaboration with the Soft Computing Research Society. I have conducted FDPs and STTPs on topics such as Generative AI, Ethical AI, Machine Learning Applications, and Digital Forensics, under the aegis of ATAL Academy, Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), and other sponsoring bodies. These initiatives serve as knowledge-sharing platforms and capacity-building forums for faculty and researchers nationwide.

My contributions have been recognized with several accolades. I received the Young Scientist Award in 2006 from the Chhattisgarh Council of Science & Technology, and was also the 1^st rank topper during M.Tech. (Computer Technology).  My name always shined on the merit list during schooling (Board Exams).

Beyond professional achievements, I am deeply passionate about promoting women in STEM, creating inclusive academic environments, and contributing to national education policy dialogues.  

Looking ahead, my Academic Vision is to build responsible, ethical, and impactful AI systems that serve humanity. I aim to strengthen interdisciplinary research, foster global collaborations, and create a dynamic learning environment for students and researchers. My broader goal is to contribute to India’s digital transformation by integrating AI with grassroots innovation, sustainability, healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure.

As I continue my journey at ABV-IIITM Gwalior, I remain committed to academic excellence, institutional growth, and societal contribution—through research, innovation, and leadership.