An alumnus of NITK Surathkal’s 1981 batch has launched and funded two impactful projects at his alma mater—water management (AquaWISE) and waste management (BioGas Optimisation). These initiatives are supported by Padmanand Warrier, an NITK graduate and founder of Warrier HEART, who aims to integrate AI technology into both projects to further sustainability efforts on campus.
Discussing the purpose behind these initiatives, Padmanand explained, “In an era of rapid technological progress, we must ask ourselves: how can innovation contribute not just to digital transformation and market expansion, but also to the well-being of humanity and the planet? This quest led me to establish Warrier HEART at NITK, which is based on values like humanity, empathy, and responsible technology.” He went on to describe Warrier HEART as a program that honors four essential ‘mothers’—the ones who sustain us. These include the mother who gives us life (our parents), the mother who provides knowledge (in my case, NITK), our mother country, and Mother Earth, our shared home.
Padmanand also emphasized that the Warrier name is included in the initiative as a tribute to his parents, UK Warrier and Bhagyalakshmi Warrier. “This is my way of giving back to NITK, one of the country’s leading educational institutions, brimming with talent and untapped potential,” he said. Each project under Warrier HEART, he added, pays homage to these four foundational pillars—life, knowledge, community, and the environment.
The two key projects he is supporting in this phase are biogas waste management and AquaWISE. The biogas initiative, supported by the Maire Tecnimont Group, repurposes existing infrastructure to convert food waste into eco-friendly biogas. Launched by the 1981 NITK batch, the project incorporates IoT sensors to monitor key parameters such as methane levels, pH, and temperature. AI and machine learning algorithms use this data to optimize production and improve operational efficiency, reported The Times of India.
The AquaWISE programme, on the other hand, focuses on optimizing water usage across NITK campus through AI-driven Water Intelligent System Engineering. Flow meters installed in hostels, laboratories, and administrative buildings provide real-time water consumption data, enabling more efficient water management, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.
Padmanand emphasized that the goal of these projects is not just to advance AI, machine learning, and data science at NITK, but to address pressing environmental issues on campus while fostering ethical innovation and sustainable growth. “Through real-world applications within our campus, we aim to tackle immediate challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable future,” he said.
