IIST conducted an outreach session at 𝐈𝐪𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞, Peringammala, Trivandrum, for Physics and Mathematics students on 19th August 2025, Tuesday. Nearly 50 students attended the talk on “𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝟑𝐃”.

The session was led by Prof. Anand Narayanan, Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, accompanied by Shri. Rahul R., Project Associate in Science Communication and Outreach.

The program began with a short 13-minute film introducing student life and academics at IIST, followed by Prof. Anand’s interactive lecture. He explained the 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 (SDSS) — a pioneering effort to create a 𝟑𝐃 𝐦𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞, revealing the vast cosmic web of galaxies, clusters, and voids stretching across billions of light years.

Prof. Anand concluded with a fascinating thought: comparing the structure of the universe to the neurons in the human brain, asking whether nature might be using the same blueprint for its most extraordinary creations.

Students enthusiastically interacted, asking questions on higher studies at IIST and on how to become a scientist, making the session lively and inspiring.