All Management Events

Fear of being in confined areas, fear of failure, fear of speaking out- anxiety manifests in a variety of ways. Don’t be anxious about your anxiety. SRM University-AP ensures our students’ mental well-being through the services of resident counsellors.

May is a month dedicated to raising awareness about mental and behavioural health disorders, as well as eliminating the stigma that many people face. This month, our student counsellor Ms Liza Hazarika interacts with students on the topic “Dear Anxiety, we need to talk!” on May 27, 2022

Time: 4.00 to 05.00 pm IST

Venue: ALC 4 – 4th Floor, Admin Block

Come, participate and learn the ways to hold on to hope.

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The Department of Corporate Relations & Career Services at SRM University-AP collaborates with Miraist Pvt. Ltd. for the Academic Alliance Program. Under this academic alliance program, the students of SRM University-AP will be offered training in Japanese language and an enviable opportunity to work in Japan.

Miraist is a leading HR recruitment firm in India catering to Japanese industries with end-to-end professional service. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to demonstrate the cutting-edge training they received here in Japanese Industries. Miraist and the Japanese clients will interview the aspiring candidates. Upon receiving the offer, all the successful candidates will be given Japanese training sessions.

Representatives from Miraist Pvt. Ltd. expressed their gratitude to Dr R Premkumar-Registrar, Mr M S Vivekanandan, Associate Director- Corporate Relations & Career Services and Mr P. Venkateswara Rao-Senior Manager, Internship, Corporate Relations & Career Services for making this collaboration possible.

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Dr Divya Chaturvedi from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering has been awarded the SERB-POWER research grant that amounts to a total of 29 lakhs for a period of three years. The grant was sanctioned for her research titled “Development of Breast Cancer Detecting System Based on Microwave Antenna-Array-Sensors and its Implementation to Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)”.

SERB- POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research)  research grants is a scheme initiated by the Government of India with an aim to encourage emerging and eminent women researchers for individual-centric and competitive mode of research funding to undertake R&D activities in frontier areas of science and engineering.

Her study on developing a breast cancer detection system has gained immense attention due to the global increase of the malady in recent decades. It has become the most common cancer diagnosed in women across all age groups. Despite the different tests such as Mammograms, ultrasound, and MRI available to diagnose the disease, there has been little considerable improvement in bringing down the caseload.

Dr Divya’s research intends to develop an advanced detection technique based on Antenna-Array-Sensors and she is attempting to put it into implementation through the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Connecting the medical devices to healthcare IT systems through online computer networks will allow the easier and quicker detection of the defect. This may go down as a milestone achievement in the medical domain.

The research grant will help in building better- equipped research lab with the most modern amenities and hiring more manpower to fulfil the project objectives. In the words of Dr Divya, “Better research facilities will aid the faculty in performing various experiments. They will save their travelling time to other universities for accessing research infrastructure. The students can also avail the advantage to intensify their research initiatives”. Through the project she envisions to establish a collaborative dedicated research group that will help in fulfilling the various objectives of the project.

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Middle East countries are characterized by a growing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases in recent times. These are health conditions that require regular access to care in order to lower their morbidity and mortality burden. Hence, healthcare-focused research and development spending has the potential to uncover new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of different health conditions, lower their cost of care, along with reducing morbidity and mortality burden in the population.

Having conducted comprehensive research in this regard, an article titled “Predicting Key Drivers for Health Care Expenditure Growth in the Middle East Region: A Grossman-PLS Modeling Approach” has been published by Dr Shailender Singh and his PhD scholar Mr Muhammad Muazu Bala from the Department of Commerce. It was published in the Journal, ‘Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research’ having an Impact Factor of 2.31. The research was led in collaboration with Dr Nishant Kumar from Amity University, Noida.

The results obtained from the study show that the supply side of care (HSCI) has contributed more than the demand side (SDI) in determining the overall level of health care expenditure of the Middle East countries. This implied that massive investment targeted at achieving high-quality healthcare systems is more noticeable in determining the overall level of health care expenditure. Though progress towards a high-quality health system is a desirable health care goal, particularly for LMICs (Low- and middle-income countries), available evidence shows that expenditure on research and development is quite low.

The study recommends an expansion of health insurance coverage to induce greater utilization of health care services particularly among the aging cohort of the population. The promoters of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank have emphasized that obtaining health insurance coverage will induce greater access to health services without facing financial hardships. In line with the findings of this study, since real wage is statistically significant, mandatory employment-based health insurance may induce greater utilization of health services and provide financial risk protection for formal sector employees.

However, this alone will not suffice to achieve greater improvement in health outcomes, especially for LMICs characterized by the largest share of informal sector employment. Thus, other forms of health insurance such as community–based health insurance may help to cover the informal sector and the vast segment of the population that lives in rural areas. Moreover, other pro-poor publicly financed health care payment mechanisms could be a promising path for promoting access to health services and guaranteeing financial risk protection for the poor.

The research infers that health system stakeholders in the Middle East should prioritize exploiting the available resources for strengthening the capacity of their health systems. Also, available data shows that expenditure on research and development is quite low and thus should be considerably increased so that new inventions, innovations, and discoveries could be unleashed for better understanding, treatment, and diagnosis of different health conditions for improving health outcomes.

 

Abstract of the Research

Initially, this study provides empirical evidence to the Grossman theoretical model using macro-level panel data for 15 countries of the Middle East region from 2000 through 2016. During the second phase, contradistinction analysis is executed and a parallel model of the demand for care as a function of health system capacity indicators is estimated. Lastly, for robustness checks, a new predictive model is developed carrying forward the outcome from Grossman and the parallel models. A variance-based partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is applied to analyse the interaction between health expenditure and the latent construct: socio-demographic factor and health system capacity. Results elucidate that the relative wage rate and the ageing variables are the only indicators that are statistically significant with theoretically consistent signs as postulated by Grossman’s theoretical model. The exact opposite is true with schooling and the proxy of the medical care relative prices. However, in the parallel model, all the four drivers of the demand for care are statistically significant with robust standard errors. Therefore, the Middle East’s data has comparatively a better fit in the parallel model than it does in the Grossman model. Also, the integrated estimation model supports the results of the separate models.

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Solving the problems existing in diverse domains through innovative ideas is something only certain people will be able to do. Earlier this year, the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation held a Pitch and Win contest, which invited ideas to solve problems across the six major domains. Sikindhar Jaladi, Pranathi Jayanthi, and Shreeyash made it to the top three with their excellent competitive skills and ideas.

The domains from which the applications were invited included Education, Deep-Tech, Social, Health, Alternate Energy, Retail, Fintech and so on. The top three winners were selected from hundreds of contestants. Also, top 10 applications are selected to be incubated at the Hatchlab Research Centre. They will be nurtured for a period of 18 months and transformed from an idea to a prototype. This will again be developed into a complete product with industrial exposure and corporate mentorship along with seed funding of Rs. 500000 (to the eligible ventures) from the university. A cubical will be allocated to each team to sit and build their products and work on the venture.

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Every university becomes an epicenter of learning when designed around the realms of education, aspiration, happiness, and well-being. SRM University-AP is one of the youngest institutions in the country, making headway with a distinct vision and an uncommon modus operandi. The university internalises its role as a prime agent in bringing innovation and regional development. SRM University-AP fosters a distinguished learning culture with a plethora of avenues for the students to dive into and transform themselves as new-age professionals. Every innovation is introduced with the purpose of shaping its students to embrace the future in its fullest sense.

In the face of advancing technologies and growing digitisation, the university has set out on a mission to prepare its students with a future-oriented curriculum encompassing practical learning experiences. Having recognised as a broad-based multidisciplinary research-intensive university, the institution takes immense care in orienting its learning culture in line with the emerging demands of society. It also ensures that students are provided with challenging research opportunities having deeper social implications.

Rolling out a slew of innovative initiatives such as Inter-Disciplinary Experiential Active Learning (IDEAL) methodology, Semester Abroad Programmes and other international collaborations, Hatch Lab Research Centre, Next Tech Lab, Corporate relations and Career Services, and a dozen of activity clubs to pursue their interests across the arenas of arts, sports, literature, photography etc., SRM University-AP leaves no stone unturned to arm the students to make themselves a niche in a world surging ahead with unprecedented opportunities.

Inter-Disciplinary Active Learning (IDEA)

IDEA is a pedagogical practice introduced with the intention of giving students the liberty to curate the curriculum aligning with their interests. It offers flexibility in learning and allows them to explore their interests cutting across disciplines. Having done majors in one subject along with other minors/specialisations will give them an added edge and amplify their job prospects. This active learning practice, coupled with industry internship programmes, makes this an avant-garde learning technique.

Semester Abroad Programmes

The global collaborations and partnerships established by the university with world-class institutions, including the University of California, Harvard Business School Online, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US, and other top organisations, will open the gateway for its students to acquire international exposure and get acquainted with cutting-edge developments in the global market. Semester Abroad Programme is a lucrative opportunity for students to upgrade themselves on par with international quality professionals. Moreover, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SRM University-AP and other universities will allow students to let out themselves to new cultures, mindsets, and work environments.

Hatch Lab Research Centre

The SRM Technology & Livelihood Business Incubator (SRMTBI) is a resourceful platform for students to embark on new ventures and business practices. With its vast network of domain experts, experienced professionals, and academicians, SRM TBI preserves a thriving ecosystem to motivate young researchers to promote the commercial research culture. SRM TBI essentially works intending to bring prosperity to socially backward places and train the students to make meaningful contributions toward nation-building. The entrepreneurship academy also organises exploratory competitions such as hackathons to unveil the entrepreneurial acumen of the students.

Next Tech Lab

Next Tech Lab is a student-led innovation that offers an exclusive platform for them to work on futuristic prototypes using cutting-edge technology. Forging ahead with a spectacular vision of making an immense contribution to future enterprises, Next Tech Lab is the only organisation from India to win the QS Reimagine Education 2018 award for its work in spearheading the student-led innovation lab model in India. It also holds an exemplary record of winning hackathons and publishing in high-impact journals. The venture was established with a fervent motive to reverse the brain-drain culture in the country, and it stays true to its intention by impelling students to learn, research, and develop their skills in tune with the industrial demands.

Corporate Relations and Career Services

The Department of Corporate Relations and Career Services works with the intent to ensure cent per cent campus placement for its students. The department provides hands-on training and internships for students to hone their skills and learn from experts in the field. Having established a strong tie-up with leading companies, including Infosys, ONGC, Electronics Corporations of India Limited, etc., the CR&CS department offers students abundant opportunities to walk into a career of their choice. It also provides a forum for the industry experts to share their experiences with the students and learn the skills needed to stay productive in today’s globalised Industry 4.0 world.

Clubs and Societies for Students

The university nurtures a learning environment beyond academics to encourage students to enhance their talents and passion. The student clubs and societies give them umpteen platforms to engage in extra-curricular activities and make learning a wholesome experience. To list a few, literary club, movie club, sports club, theatre club, photography club etc., are some of the highly engaging clubs sought-after by students. The Department of Student Affairs is doing a remarkable job by co-ordinating with the faculty and students and hosting such enriching activities on the campus.

SRM University-AP is a choice destination for the next generation of students to learn, explore and transform themselves into resourceful individuals. The university is stewarding an educational revolution in the country by taking a detour from the conventional pathway to walk students into a fathomless world of opportunities. As society evolves with unpredictable changes with each passing day, it is imperative to capacitate the students to remain flexible to such uncertainties. SRM University-AP fosters an academic culture to mould its students to be multi-talented individuals daring enough to embrace any challenge that comes their way.

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The Government of Kerala has chosen Dr Anu Kuriakose from the Department of English for the prestigious Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Research Fellowship in the stream of Political Science, Historical Studies, Humanities & Liberal Arts. The award has been designed by Kerala Government to further the state’s development plans by promoting research across various disciplines. Dr Anu obtained the grant for her intriguing study in the domain of gender studies. She intends to look at the digital turn in the genderqueer movements in Kerala with a cross-cultural perspective from any specific locale in Europe.

There have been many research studies involving the examination of queer and trans representation in media. With the turn of the century, we witnessed a remarkable shift in the digital representation of the queer community.

Through her research “Dissenting Heteronormativity and Mainstreaming Identity: A Critical Assessment of the Digital Turn in GenderQueer Movements in Kerala”, Dr Anu is fixated on uncovering the digital collectives in which Malayali genderqueer people are also a part of and the digital turn in the genderqueer movement in Kerala, of late.

She expressed her delight over receiving this opportunity that could help her make substantial contributions to the state’s progress. “I feel proud and humbled for getting this title; my project aims to map the genderqueer movements, the digitally networked associations of which Malayali gender non-conforming people are part, and the nuances of their digital turn at present”, she said.

The Department of English, University of Calicut, has agreed to be a hosting centre for the research project. The GEXcel International Collegium for Advanced Transdisciplinary Gender Studies, Karlstad University Sweden, has also agreed to collaborate. She also wishes to make SRM University-AP a stakeholder in the same.

“I am hugely motivated by the weight SRM University-AP gives to research. From making collaborations to publishing papers in reputed journals and receiving grants from external bodies, the university has anchored as an encouraging platform to stimulate the research pursuits of its faculty and students”, she maintained. “I am truly indebted to my peers and everyone here for providing a conducive environment to fructify my research interests”, remarked Dr Anu.

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Dr Karthik Rajendran, Assistant Professor from the Department of Environmental Science, has added another paper to his list of publications. His paper titled Towards green whiskey production: anaerobic digestion of distillery by-products and the effects of pretreatment has been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (Q1 category) with an impact factor of 9.2.

Abstract of the research

Using renewable biogas from anaerobic digestion of distillery by-products as a low carbon heat source can decarbonise the distillery process and support the distillery industry for a transition to a more sustainable production process. The study investigated the anaerobic digestion performance of different types of whiskey by-products and the effects of acid pre-treatment on the digestion of solid by-products. Results of biomethane potential assays showed that the methane yield from the unprocessed by-products was 330 mL/g volatile solids (VS) from draff, 495 mL/g VS from thin stillage, and 503 mL/g VS from thick stillage. For the processed by-products, the specific methane yield was 370 mL/g VS from cake maize, 382 mL/g VS from wet distillers’ grains with solubles (WDGS), and 545 mL/g VS from syrup. Acid pre-treatment (1% H2SO4 at 135 ◦C for 15 min) did not significantly improve the methane yield from solid by-products (such as draff and WDGS) but reduced the digestion time by 54.5% for cake maize. The microbial community analysis revealed that methane production from the untreated and acid-pre-treated solid by-products (draff and WDGS) was mainly through the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway. The gross thermal energy in the form of methane produced from 100 tonnes of mixed unprocessed by-products (draff, thin stillage, and thick stillage) was calculated as 24.4 MWthh equivalents to 60.6% of the thermal energy consumed in whiskey production, which affected the same percentage of CO2 emissions reduction.

Explanation of the research

Many industries meet their energy demand based on the fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which increases carbon dioxide emissions. Alcohol production is one of the heavy fossil fuel using industries, especially in distillation. The waste after alcohol production can be used to produce methane, which can be used as energy in distillation, reducing the need for energy consumption. By consuming the waste and producing energy, up to 60% of thermal energy could be reduced. This also reduces the CO2 emission by 60%. Alcohol industries can use their waste to decarbonise the energy demand, thus meeting the net-zero. India is expected to reach net-zero by 2070, which will be a bigger addition as a part of it.

In this research, Dr Karthik Rajendran has collaborated with Professor Jerry Murphy, UCC, Ireland, and Dr Richen Lin, UCC, Ireland. Applying the similar concept in the Indian context is his future plan for this research.

 

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Student innovations that render hope and reassurance to an ever-changing society with booming demands indeed call for sweeping appreciation and recognition. We are elated to present the story of one of our budding masterminds who has brought us laurels through his trailblazing invention. Our first-year Mechanical Engineering student, Venkata Sree Harsha has developed the prototype of a solar electric bicycle with iconic features. This is a well-timed invention presented in the face of exacerbating pollution and energy insufficiency.

There have been endless studies and research going on to discover alternate solutions to bring down the imprudent use of conventional sources of energy. We are running out of our resources on one hand, and they are causing irreversible damage to the environment on the other hand. Tapping the invaluable potential of solar energy is the ideal way to welcome a new era of renewable energy resources. Solar inventions are therefore encouraged and put to implementation. This is believed to expedite the use of such renewable resources.

Venkata Sree Harsha’s solar-powered bicycle can run for unlimited distance in sunlight and for 2 hours at night when fully charged. It is fitted with a 24 Volt, 350-Watt DC motor, two 12 Volt batteries, two 6-Watt solar panels, and other components. The rechargeable batteries are attached to a 36 Volt motor, and it is connected in a series fashion. The solar power panels are fastened to the rear end of the vehicle which actively charges the bicycle while it is running on the sun. The total investment for this environment-friendly solar bicycle came approximately to rupees 15,000. This is a fruitful innovation when the escalating fuel prices are causing hardships in an average Indian household.

The young innovator expressed his delight and contentment over making his tiny share of contribution to the lives of those who are struggling to make ends meet in a world where expenses are soaring high without limits. His passion for science and determination to bring technology to right and productive use are what made this innovation possible. Mr Venkata also thanked his teachers and fellow friends who helped and guided him throughout this rewarding journey.

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SRM University AP is delighted to announce the Faculty Development Programme on Recent advancements in optical communication and wireless networks. The session is scheduled from May 23 to 27, 2022. The programme will be managed by the faculties of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. This five-day hybrid programme aims to enhance research capabilities mainly for the researchers and professionals working in Free Space Optics and Advanced Wireless Communication Networks. Eminent scientists and professors from highly reputed institutes are invited to share their research experiences.

On the first day of the session, the keynote speaker, Professor M.S Alouini, KAUST, Saudi Arabia, will handle a session on Towards Connecting the Remaining 3 + Billion from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm. The FDP targets faculties from Abroad and Indian Institutes, Research scholars, Postgraduate and Undergraduate students. The sessions will be beneficial to those participants who are doing or planning to start a research career in optical/wireless communication network domains.

A wide variety of topics will be discussed during the five-day program. Visible light communication, Optical Imaging and Holography, Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging, VLC for IoT Networks, Terahertz Photonics for Wireless Communications, Deep learning for Wireless Networks, Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces, Edge Computing for IoT Networks, Beyond 6G Communications and Molecular Communications are some of the crucial ones among them.

There is no registration fee for the programme. However, the certificate will be provided to all the attendees based on the total attendance. The recordings of the sessions will also be provided to all attendees.

Register here!

Downolad the brochure here

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