Global technology leaders recognised for excellence at ICCCNet-2025

The international technology community’s attention converged on Manchester Metropolitan University as it proudly hosted the 5th International Conference on Computing and Communication Networks (ICCCNet-2025) from August 1–3, 2025. Over three dynamic days of knowledge exchange, research presentations, and networking, the conference reached its pinnacle with a prestigious awards ceremony honoring a select group of visionary leaders and innovators. These trailblazers are redefining the boundaries of technology and driving transformative change across diverse sectors.

Distinguished for its rigorous academic standards and global reach, ICCCNet-2025 has once again solidified its position as a premier stage for unveiling pioneering research and industry-shaping breakthroughs. This year’s proceedings have been approved for publication in the renowned Springer Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (LNNS) series and will be indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring that the conference’s contributions are accessible to scholars, practitioners, and industry leaders worldwide.

The awards presented at ICCCNet-2025 are more than ceremonial honors; they represent a powerful endorsement of each recipient’s technical excellence, strategic vision, and measurable impact on both their industries and the global technology ecosystem. They stand as a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and the collaborative spirit that defines this annual gathering.

What follows is a detailed look at the distinguished awardees and their remarkable achievements, which stood as defining moments of this year’s landmark conference.

Redefining the Digital Landscape

Ravi Kiran Gadiraju, Sr. Advisor Product Management from Frisco, Texas, received the AI Driven Product Innovator Award. Gadiraju was recognised for his exceptional skill in transforming complex AI research into market-leading products. His work stands as a prime example of how user-centric design, combined with advanced technology, can create impactful and commercially successful solutions.

Venkatraman Viswanathan, an IT Project Manager with Novalink Solutions LLC and Founder of Infiltra Technologies Pvt. Ltd., was honored with the Pioneer in AI-Driven Enterprise Product Innovation Award. This award celebrates his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit in developing AI solutions that enhance enterprise-level efficiency and strategic decision-making. His innovations are paving the way for a new era of corporate technology.

Sathish Krishna Anumula of IBM Corporation was the recipient of the AI & Robotics Industrial Innovation Award. Anumula’s groundbreaking work in integrating AI with robotics has led to significant advancements in industrial automation. His contributions are a testament to the transformative power of robotics and AI in creating smarter, more efficient, and safer industrial environments.

Fortifying Our Digital World

In an age of constant cyber threats, securing data and digital infrastructure is more crucial than ever.

Raghava Chellu, Support Engineer at Equifax Inc., has been recognised with the Global Leadership Award in AI-Powered Secure File Transfer at ICCCNet-2025, honoring his groundbreaking contributions to next-generation cybersecurity. His cutting-edge framework addresses the pressing global challenge of securing sensitive data exchanges against increasingly complex and persistent cyber threats. Built on a foundation of predictive analytics, adaptive anomaly detection, and zero-trust principles, Chellu’s AI-powered system not only strengthens detection capabilities but also proactively prevents breaches creating a transformative leap in secure digital communications. Already deployed across enterprise-scale, mission-critical environments, the solution safeguards millions of transactions daily while ensuring compliance, reducing operational risk, and enhancing organisational resilience. More than a technical achievement, this innovation reflects Chellu’s commitment to shaping the future of intelligent, automated cybersecurity, a future where advanced AI seamlessly integrates with global data protection strategies to outpace evolving threats.

Bharath Kishore Gudepu, a Developer 4 at Kemper in Dallas, TX, USA, was recognised with the Data Governance Excellence Award. Gudepu’s pioneering work in designing and implementing comprehensive data governance frameworks has significantly advanced industry best practices, ensuring data integrity, quality, and regulatory compliance across complex organisational environments. His contributions have not only strengthened institutional trust in data assets but have also enabled strategic decision-making and improved operational efficiency.

Praveen Kumar Pemmasani, a true cybersecurity champ from the City of Dallas, has snagged the spotlight with the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Award, a big shoutout to his incredible work keeping the public sector and healthcare systems safe. His brilliant leadership shone through during the 2023 Dallas ransomware scare, where he rallied the team to bring back over 1,200 servers and saved millions of taxpayer dollars, all while cooking up the game-changing Unified AI Command Console that’s setting new standards for digital toughness. His latest research, shared in a 2025 TechRxiv piece and lined up for IEEE’s MPCON 2025, taps into AI to beef up secure networks, shielding sensitive community data from growing dangers. This top-tier award, standing out among winners from other fields, really puts Pemmasani’s amazing skills and global influence in cybersecurity on the map.

Innovating Technology and Education

The conference also celebrated those who are pushing the boundaries of specific technologies and educational methods.

Krishna C. Gonugunta from NSHE Nevada has been celebrated with the prestigious Oracle Excellence Award, a shining nod to his groundbreaking use of Oracle Analytics and Machine Learning in higher education. His innovative approach has completely reshaped how the Nevada System of Higher Education harnesses data, boosting student success and streamlining administrative workflows across the board. This recognition highlights Gonugunta’s exceptional talent, cementing his status as a global leader in data-driven educational advancement.

Omkar Bhalekar, a Senior Network Engineer working at Tesla and a pioneer in Industrial Network Design and Cybersecurity, was awarded the Distinguished Award for Infrastructure Resiliency, recognising his unmatched contributions in transforming high-volume EV manufacturing and Battery technology. Bhalekar revolutionised production by integrating non-traditional data center networking technology into factory operations, enhancing both resilience and high-speed data flow, which was one of the reasons Tesla Fremont Factory was recognised as North America’s most productive car manufacturing facility. Under his leadership, he and his team spearheaded the automation of over 4,000 networked SuperChargers, deploying AI-driven orchestration that streamlined workflows, optimised energy use, and cut operational costs by $20 million annually. Being a Senior IEEE member, Omkar has also presented his work at international conferences such as IEEE PSETC, Singapore and INCST, Bangalore, demonstrating his global influence in industrial network security, automation, and operational efficiency.

The Global Excellence in Instructional Innovation Award was presented to Venkatesh Muniyandi, a distinguished Technical Architect and Author whose commitment to accessible, high-quality digital education has touched thousands worldwide. Through his curated Udemy for Business courses and widely acclaimed Pluralsight programs, Muniyandi has guided over 23,000 learners, earning more than 2,300 glowing ratings from industry professionals. His training blends practical, real-world insights with engaging delivery, enabling learners to not only gain in-demand skills but also achieve professional certifications. This recognition honors his ability to turn complex technology into approachable learning experiences that empower a global audience.

The ICCCNet-2025 conference successfully brought together some of the brightest minds in technology, and the awards ceremony was a fitting tribute to their achievements. The contributions of these individuals are not just a point of pride but a beacon for the future, inspiring others to push the boundaries of what is possible in computing and communication networks.

For more information on the conference and a complete list of awardees, please visit https://icccn.co.uk/Awardees.