International Conference on Reverse Logistics and Circular Economy Strategies for Sustainable Development (ICRCSD 2025)

Dates: 15–16 July 2025

Venue: Vishwakarma University, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Mode: Hybrid (Online & Offline)

Organized by: Vishwakarma University, Pune

In collaboration with: SUNY Binghamton University, New York, USA

Publication Partners: Apple Academic Press (AAP) & CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group)

Inauguration Ceremony Highlights

Date & Time: 15th July 2025, 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

Venue: Auditorium, Building 1, Vishwakarma University

The inauguration of ICRCSD 2025 marked a grand opening to two days of academic and professional engagement on sustainable development themes. The ceremony
commenced with the arrival of esteemed dignitaries, followed by a traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Dignitary Addresses:

• Prof. (Dr.) Kailas Patil, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology, Vishwakarma University, and General Chair, welcomed all attendees and outlined the objectives of the conference.
• Prof. (Dr.) Sachi Nandan Mohanty, Professor at VIT-AP and General Chair, emphasized the urgency of collaborative research in circular economy strategies.
• Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Dutta, Professor at IIT Bombay and Chief Guest, delivered a keynote reflection on optimizing reverse logistics to meet sustainability goals.
• A specially recorded video message was presented by Dr. Atul Kelkar, Dean, Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, SUNY Binghamton University, USA, who also serves as a General Chair of ICRCSD 2025. Dr. Kelkar underscored the significance of global academic partnerships in shaping resilient and sustainable ecosystems.
• Dr. Wasudeo Gade, Vice President, Vishwakarma University, encouraged academia to lead in shaping eco-conscious innovation.
• Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Marathe, Vice Chancellor, Vishwakarma University, highlighted institutional efforts toward sustainability-oriented education and research.
• The ceremony concluded with the formal release of the Abstract Souvenir by the dignitaries and a vote of thanks acknowledging contributors and partners.

Keynote Sessions

Following the inauguration, two distinguished keynote sessions were conducted:

• Prof.(Dr.) Pankaj Dutta, IIT Bombay, presented on “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Last-Mile Logistics”.
• Mr. Rahul Naik, Forbes Marshall, Pune, delivered insights into industrial perspectives on circular economy integration.

Technical Sessions and Paper Presentations

ICRCSD 2025 featured 16 high-quality research papers presented across five thematic tracks, encompassing both online and offline formats:

Conference Tracks & Themes:

1. Reverse Logistics & Supply Chain Management
2. Circular Economy Models & Business Strategies
3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & Environmental Policy
4. Technological Innovations & Digital Transformation
5. Industry-Specific Circular Economy Applications

Each session was chaired by subject experts from academia and industry, fostering rich dialogues and feedback loops. The presented research spanned innovative topics such as:

• AI and block chain for reverse logistics,
• Real-time waste monitoring with LoRaWAN,
• Medical waste management,
• Optimization frameworks for circular economy,
• Life cycle extension in computing to reduce e-waste.

Conclusion

ICRCSD 2025 successfully brought together researchers, industry professionals, and policy advocates to exchange knowledge, best practices, and emerging strategies in sustainability. With keynote insights, scholarly research, and international collaboration, the conference underscored the pivotal role of reverse logistics and circular economy in driving sustainable development. The hybrid format enabled inclusive participation, amplifying the global impact of this flagship event.

The guest lecture” The Evolution and Future of Mobile Application Development” aims to provide MCA second-year students with a comprehensive understanding of mobile application development, exploring its evolution, current trends, and future directions. The session will delve into various platforms, technologies, and methodologies, offering insights into industry best practices and the challenges faced by developers. Divyansh Pratap-Android Developer at Flextr By OneApps Solutions(Android Dev), Divyansh brings a wealth of experience in native and cross-platform development, offering practical insights and real-world examples.

The guest session on "Artificial Intelligence: Strategy and Coaching of Trending Technologies," aims to provide MCA second-year students with the forefront of technological transformation, and understanding its strategic applications is crucial for aspiring IT professionals. This session will be delivered by Rajeev Saxena, CEO of MysticAI LLC, a leader with 30 years of experience in companies like IBM, Samsung, and various U.S. startups. Over the past decade, Rajeev Saxena has built businesses in AI, Data Analytics, and SaaS.

The Department is organizing an online guest session on "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Revolutionizing the Future", aimed at providing students with insights into the latest advancements and real-world applications of AI and ML technologies.

Speaker: Dr. Manmeet Singh, Scientist, IITM (Ph.D. from IIT-Bombay), Fellow at the University of Texas.

Objective:
This session will enhance students' understanding of AI and ML, showcase real-world applications in scientific research and environmental forecasting, encourage critical thinking on AI ethics and future trends, and inspire innovation through interdisciplinary learning.

Aptitude Workshop for MCA Students by Mr. Rohit Runwal

The Department organized an Aptitude Workshop for MCA students, conducted by Mr. Rohit Runwal, to help them prepare effectively for placement interviews. The session focused on enhancing students' problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude—key areas assessed during campus recruitment processes.

Objective:

• Strengthen students' aptitude skills for interview preparation.
• Provide strategies to tackle aptitude tests confidently.
• Build a strong foundation for competitive exams and placement drives.

The workshop offered valuable tips, practice exercises, and interactive learning to boost students' readiness for their career journeys.

Roboics workshop: Robotics Process Automation is a key subject for MCA Semester III students, reflecting the growing importance of automation and robotics across industries. Focusing on Sub Robotics—an advanced blend of robotics and AI—the workshop is organized by the Department of Computer Application in collaboration with the Faculty of Science and Technology. Co-Ordinator: Prof. Gauri Kulkarni And Resource Persons:Prof. Srinivas Chippalkatti (Expert in Robotics and Power Electronics),Prof. Meghanand Bhamare (Specialist in Embedded Systems and Robotics).

Objectives:

• Introduce key concepts and tools in robotics and automation.
• Explore real-world applications of sub-automation technologies.
• Provide hands-on learning experiences and expert interactions.

The Department of Computer Application organized the MCA Poster Presentation Activity under the C2P2 Initiative. This academic event provided MCA students a platform to present their research and projects on topics like System Architecture, Object-Oriented Databases, and NoSQL and its types. Students engaged in discussions, showcased their technical knowledge, and received valuable feedback from faculty experts.Co-ordinator: Asst. Prof. Gauri Kulkarni, Evaluators: Prof. Swati Shriyal and Prof. Pallavi Morey (Department of Science and Technology).

Objectives:

• Encourage students to present and communicate their research effectively.
• Foster critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Promote interaction and knowledge sharing among students, faculty, and experts.

Report Of World Environment Day: Tree Plantation at Anandvan

Day/Date: 05 June ‘25

Timing: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Location: Anand Van-6, NIBM, Kondhwa

Lecture Organized For: Faculty of Faculty of Architecture

For The Subject Of : NA

No. of Participants in the Activity: 8

Ar. Anjali Rasane, Dean, Faculty of Architecture
Ar. Shreyas Paranjape, Associate Dean, Faculty of Architecture
Ar. Saachi Jain, HOD, Department of Architecture
Dr. Shraddha Jadhav, HOD, Department of Interior Spaces
Ar. Amita Deshpande, Assistant Professor
Ar. Ateka Nulwala, Assistant Professor
Ar. Salman Shaikh, Assistant Professor
Ar. Aakriti Dewan, Assistant Professor

Visit Co-ordinated By : Ar. Aakriti Dewan

Objective Of The Activity Organised:
To promote environmental consciousness and lead by example, faculty members of Faculty of Architecture actively participated in a plantation drive aimed at contributing to ecological restoration, supporting biodiversity, and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Important Aspects/Points Of The Visit:

• Conducted on the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June 2025).
• The drive took place at a designated site identified for green development.
• Selection of native and climate-resilient plant species for long-term sustainability.
• Emphasis on practical contribution towards SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
• Awareness creation through documentation and a social media reel to inspire future student participation.
• Reinforced the department’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Event Report: Yoga Sangam 2025 Celebration of International Day of Yoga (IDY)

Date: 21st June 2025

Venue: VU Auditorium

Time: 7:00 AM – 08:30 AM

1. Introduction:
In celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) and as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Yoga Sangam 2025 was successfully organized at Vishwakarma University, Pune on 21st June 2025. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of Yoga for physical and mental well-being among students, faculty, and staff.

2. Objectives:

• To observe IDY 2025 in line with national initiatives.
• To promote the practice and philosophy of Yoga on campus.
• To provide experiential learning through expert-led Yoga sessions.
• To inaugurate the University’s new Yoga & Fitness Wing – “समत्व”

5. Highlights of the Event:

• Expert-Led Yoga Session: The session was conducted by renowned Yoga expert Ms. Apoorva Lele, who guided the participants through advanced Yoga practices, breathing exercises (Pranayama), and mindfulness techniques.
• Inauguration of “समत्व”: A major milestone of the event was the formal inauguration of the University’s new Yoga & Fitness Wing – “समत्व” which will serve as a dedicated space for holistic wellness activities.
• Felicitation: Ms. Apoorva Lele was felicitated for her valuable contribution by Prof. (Dr.) Yuvraj Lahoti, marking the University’s gratitude and recognition of her support.

6. Participation:

The event saw active participation from over 70 attendees, including students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and dignitaries. Attendance was recorded as per committee guidelines.

8. Outcomes & Feedback:
Participants expressed great appreciation for the well-structured session, engaging content, and launch of a dedicated Yoga wing. Many expressed their interest in future workshops and joining “समत्व” as regular members.

9. Conclusion:
Yoga Sangam 2025 successfully fulfilled its mission to foster a campus culture of wellness, discipline, and mindfulness. The inauguration of “समत्व” marks the beginning of a new chapter in the University’s health and wellness initiatives. We look forward to continued participation and activities under this banner.
Report Prepared by:

Dr. Chetan Chouhan
Convener – Yoga Sangam 2025
Director, Physical Education & Sports