13 Aug 2025
In the ever-evolving landscape of global academia, research partnerships serve as vital bridges connecting institutions and scholars for exploring new ideas and innovations. Dr. Ankit Garg, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (HES), School of Science (SCI) at Xi’an-Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU), recently strengthened these ties through his visit to King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, India fostering interdisciplinary research, student exchanges, and joint publications.
Advancing Sustainable Solutions through joint research with scholars of KMITL, Thailand
Scholars from KMITL and CMKL attending the seminar
Discussion session with International Doctoral students during seminar
Dr. Garg’s seminar at KMITL, hosted by his collaborator Dr. Viroon Kamchoom (Associate Professor and Director of the Centrifuge Modeling Facility and Green Infrastructure Laboratory), introduced a novel AI-integrated framework for optimizing vegetation in green infrastructure, sparking strong interest among students and faculty. The discussion expanded beyond research, exploring opportunities for student exchanges between XJTLU and KMITL, including the benefits of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and XJTLU’s Visiting Research Student Policy. A key highlight was learning about KMITL’s Centrifuge Modeling Facility, where large-scale simulations are conducted using scaled prototypes.
Centrifuge modeling facility at KMITL
Meetings with KMITL’s International Office (including Vice President Dr. Pitcha Prasitmeeboon and Director Dr. Lalita Visitanupong) further strengthened institutional collaboration. KMITL expressed strong interest in exchange opportunities at XJTLU, which could benefit students enrolled in KMITL’s international programs in Thailand. There was notable enthusiasm for XJTLU’s internationalized education model, particularly its dual-degree program with the University of Liverpool.
Strengthening Ties with IIT Indore: From Research to Real World Impact
At IIT Indore in India, Dr. Garg delivered a keynote at an international workshop on computational modeling of landslides and tunneling. He demonstrated how numerical modeling can be used to analyze the effects of vegetation in slope stabilization and discussed other sustainable solutions with experts. The workshop and Dr. Garg’s visit were hosted by Prof. Neelima Satyam, who serves as the Chair of the Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) Indore Local Chapter and as a National Executive Committee member of IGS.
Dr Garg with experts from Industries during workshop
During his visit, Dr. Garg held productive discussions with his co-supervised student, Mr. Rohit Vyas (main supervisor: Prof. Neelima Satyam), who presented his research on the sustainable use of iron ore tailings as backfill material in construction. Additionally, Dr. Garg explored opportunities under XJTLU’s visiting research student policy, which provides a platform for outstanding scholars from other universities (including IIT Indore) to conduct research at XJTLU.
Dr Garg with PhD scholars of Prof Neelima Satyam at IIT Indore. It includes Mr Rohit Vyas who is officially co-supervised PhD scholar of Dr Garg
This visit further strengthened XJTLU’s growing collaboration with IIT Indore, as reflected in the multiple joint publications between Dr. Garg’s and Prof. Neelima’s research groups. These visits underscored XJTLU’s role as a nexus for international research, with active partnerships in AI driven environmental solutions, geotechnics, and green infrastructure. As these collaborations grow, so does the potential for cross border innovation, bridging Thailand, India, and China in a shared mission for scientific impact.
Dr. Ankit Garg recently joined the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Science at XJTLU. A globally recognized scholar in Soil Remediation and Treatment using Biochar and AI, he is actively recruiting highly talented Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students for his research lab. There is currently a PhD position available in his group on topic "Biochar-Mediated Enhancement of Bioelectricity Generation and Water Retention in Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (PMFCs): An Integrated Experimental and AI Approach" (Link: /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/FOSA2506018_AnkitGarg_Science.pdf ). Students who are interested in this field are welcome to contact him directly at Ankit.Garg@xjtlu.edu.cn.
Content：Dr Ankit Garg
English review：Professor John Moraros
Chinese review：Dr Garg and Phd students
13 Aug 2025