A team from IIST participated in the 43rd annual meeting of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI), held between 16-19 Feb 2025 at NIT-Rourkela. The team included Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Director, IIST, who was the President of ASI, Prof. Sarita Vig, who is the Secretary of ASI, Prof. Umesh Kadhane – invited Plenary speaker and a number of PhD, Masters and undergraduate students. Prof Dipankar Banerjee delivered the Presidential address. Prof. Sarita Vig carried out the proceedings of the Inaugural and Concluding sessions as well as chaired the session on ASI Awards talks.

In a remarkable event, Dr V. Narayanan, Secretary DOS / Chairman, ISRO / President, GB, IIST, visited the IIST campus on 21st February 2025 and delivered an inspiring talk to the academic community of IIST. He recollected the humble beginning of the IIST and contributions made by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Shri. G. Madhavan Nair, Dr K. Radhakrishnan, Dr B. N. Suresh etc. He urged IIST students to have great aims in life and to be the brand ambassador of the institute. He stressed the need for intellectual and value based education for the society.

IIST MUN 2025 was organised from 21st February to 23 February 2025. The three-day national-level conference provided participants with a unique and immersive experience, mirroring the operations of the United Nations. This event challenged inspired, and shaped the leaders of tomorrow, allowing students to enhance their skills in negotiation, public speaking, and critical thinking while addressing global issues. This year, IIST MUN featured three committees: UNHRC, UNCOPUOS, and NYP. Shri. T.P. Sreenivasan IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador, inaugurated the 12th edition of MUN.

The 7th issue of the IIST Hindi Magazine 'Antariksh Dhaaraayein' was released during the inaugural function of DHANAK 2025 on March 14, 2025 Friday. The magazine was released by the Chief Guest Shri. K. Jayakumar IAS (Rtd.), Former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, Prof. Dipankar Banerjee, Director, IIST, Prof. Raju K. George, Dean (SA, SW& OR), Smt. Cimy Asaf, Assistant Director (OL) & members of Dhanak Team

IIST has been recognized by the All Kerala Blood Donors Society (KEBS) for its dedication to voluntary blood donation during the 2024-25 session. This honor was awarded at KEBS' 22nd Annual Celebration Ceremony on 15th March 2025 in Trivandrum and was received on behalf of IIST by volunteers from Nirmaan Club, the institute’s social outreach club. IIST would like to recognize the collective efforts of IIST students, the generous donors, and the invaluable support of the IIST Medical Facility Team and the Administration in ensuring the success of these camps.

IIST conducted an educational outreach program for Class 8 and 9 students of Meghalaya at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in Umiam from March 21 to 24, 2025. The initiative, led by Prof. Dipankar Banerjee (Director, IIST) aimed at promoting science education, is part of IIST’s vision to engage students across the country to explore the world of science and technology.

Dr. Sarita Vig, Dept. of Earth & Space Sciences, was selected for participation in the Women in Space and Allied Sciences Leadership Programme (WiSLP) – Phase 2, held at Coventry University, United kindgom between 19 - 27 March 2025. The delegation included 13 prolific women scientists selected from across India of various disciplines. The fully sponsored program was carried out under the aegis of Dept. of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India, Coventry University, UK, and the British Council – India.

IIST Colloquium on "Evolution of Ice and Organics in the Universe: From Interstellar Ice Grains to Cometary Nuclei" by Dr. Murthy S Gudipati, Senior Research Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Prof. Satish Dhawan IoE Visiting Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Science, Bengalur.

IIST Colloquium on "Observing the Wonders of Nature - From Camera Obscura to the International Liquid Mirror Telescope 4m (ILMT)" by Prof. Jean Surdej, Prof. Liege University, Belgium and VAJRA Adjunct Faculty at ARIES, Nainital.