A new institute dedicated to artificial intelligence, computing, and robotics – the Marik Institute of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Cybernetics (MICARC), was officially inaugurated at NIMS University in Jaipur, India on April 1, 2025. The institute is named after Professor Vladimir Marik, a leading Czech scientist and the founder of the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC) at CTU in Prague. This significant step not only strengthens scientific ties between the Czech Republic and India but also opens new opportunities for collaboration between scientific and industrial partners in the field of technology, especially in the rapidly growing area of artificial intelligence.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests – the founder and rector of the NIMS university, prof. Balvir S. Tomar, the Czech Ambassador in India, her excellency Eliška Zigova, EU Office in Delhi representative, Dr. Samrat S. Kumar, and the international scientific community. MICARC is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Rajasthan and NIMS University within the framework of the Rising Rajasthan initiative. The institute aims to establish Rajasthan as a hub for digital innovation and artificial intelligence in India.
Professor Vladimír Marik commented on the inauguration:
„It is a great honor for us that CIIRC has become an inspiration for the creation of a modern institute in India. This project represents a unique opportunity to connect European and Czech expertise with India at a time of dynamic AI development. India has not only enormous potential in terms of talented professionals and massive investments in artificial intelligence but also a long tradition of high-quality education. Together with European experience and technological infrastructure, we can create new synergies that will bring groundbreaking innovations for science and industry in both regions and establish a technological foundation for Czech investments in India.“
As the rector and founder of the NIMS University, Prof. Balvir S. Kumar highlighted: „The inauguration of this first-of-its-kind AI Institute in India marks a historic milestone—ushering in a new era of innovation, research, and intelligent solutions that will empower generations and redefine the future of technology for the region and beyond.”
„Research, development, and innovation in artificial intelligence are crucial for the technological progress and competitiveness of the Czech Republic. The opening of the Mařík Institute of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Cybernetics in Jaipur is a model example of Czech-Indian cooperation in higher education and science. We are sincerely pleased that this partnership contributes to fulfilling the strategic partnership between the Czech Republic and India in the field of innovation, announced in January 2024 in Gujarat,“ said Eliska Zigova, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India, during the ceremony.
The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, including the Computing and AI Chip Lab by N-Video, Robotics Lab by KUKA, Automation Lab by Siemens, and Drone Technology Lab by Captics. In total, it boasts 15 high-tech labs and over 500 high-performance computers. It will also host centers of excellence from companies such as Siemens Healthineers, Dell, Microsoft, SAP, HP, Intel, and Amazon.
CIIRC CTU played a key role in the establishment of the institute, providing methodological support and expert consultations. The RICAIP Testbed Prague infrastructure, serving as a model workplace for Industry 4.0 technologies, played a significant role in this process. Additionally, the Intelligent and Mobile Robotics Department and other specialized teams participated in the collaboration. Key experts who contributed to the design of laboratories and the selection of compatible equipment meeting European research standards include Pavel Burget, Karel Kosnar, Vaclav Hlavac, and other specialists.
NIMS AI-Con 2025 Conference
The opening of the institute coincides with NIMS AI-Con 2025, the first international artificial intelligence conference in Rajasthan, bringing together over 50 experts from around the world. The conference will focus on AI applications in industry, healthcare, education, and governance, under the theme „Transforming India’s Future Through AI-Driven Innovation.“ Key topics include industrial AI, biomedical applications, deep learning, and humanoid robotics.
„CIIRC, alongside NIMS University, is the main organizer of this unique artificial intelligence conference, which serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, research needs, and best practices in AI. Czech science enjoys an excellent reputation in India, and I am pleased that top experts from CIIRC, such as Josef Šivic, Václav Hlaváč, Olga Štěpánková, Miroslav Svítek, and others, can present their work here. At CIIRC, we are deeply engaged in AI applications in key areas such as medicine, healthcare, and industry – topics crucial not only for NIMS University, which operates its own university hospital but also for India as a whole,“ emphasized Ondrej Velek, Director of CIIRC CTU.
The conference also received significant support from the EU-funded Indo-Pacific-European Digital Partnership Hub (INPACE), which aims to deepen collaboration between Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore in digital technologies and their application for the benefit of citizens in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. During the conference, the launch of the Grant Lab Strategy will be announced to support joint identification of grant opportunities.
The inauguration of MICARC marks a milestone in international collaboration, reinforcing the growing role of the Czech Republic as a key technological partner for India. This project not only strengthens scientific ties between the two countries but also creates new opportunities for Czech businesses and research institutions in the rapidly expanding Indian market.
About NIMS University
Established in 2000, NIMS University today offers education in 400+ courses to over 20,000 students across 23 institutes. The university provides high-quality education in fields such as health, science, technology, management, and law. Since its inception, it has been actively promoting research and innovation at a global level. The new institute is set to become a leading center in Rajasthan and India for AI, Robotics, and Cybersecurity.
NIMS Hospital, affiliated with NIMS University, is a 1,500+ bed multi-specialty hospital. Equipped with modern medical facilities, it also plays a leading role in medical research and innovation.
History of CIIRC & NIMS Collaboration
The MICARC project began in 2023, when the foundation stone for the new scientific institute was laid at NIMS University in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Inspired by the success of CIIRC CTU and the vision of its founder, Professor Vladimír Mařík, the university aimed to establish an equally innovative AI-focused research center and also join
CIIRC CTU, particularly through the RICAIP Testbed Prague, provided methodological support and helped design a state-of-the-art research infrastructure compatible with AI laboratories in the Czech Republic and Europe. RICAIP is a network of interconnected testbeds in Prague, Brno, and Saarbrücken (Germany), collaborating with numerous AI and Industry 4.0 laboratories across Europe.
During Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s visit to India in January 2024, the progress of MICARC was presented at NIMS University, and a Memorandum of Cooperation between CIIRC CTU and NIMS was signed. This partnership is already active through the EU-supported INPACE project, which promotes digital collaboration between Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
