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The Department of Civil Engineering is glad to announce that Dr Raviteja KVNS, Assistant Professor, has received the Best Paper Award for his paper titled “Compressibility Characteristics of Bentonite Amended Fly Ash Liners Exposed to Phosphate Contamination” at the 2nd International Conference RAISE 2023 (Recent Advances in Sustainable Environment) held on May 15-16, 2023. Dr Raviteja collaborated with Dr Janga Jagadeesh Kumar and Dr Krishna R Reddy, Civil, Materials and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago for the research paper. Their cutting-edge research focused on developing alternate liner materials for waste containment systems.

Abstract

Waste containment systems like landfills, and impoundments are often lined with low permeable clays of hydraulic conductivity less than 10-7 cm/s. However, it is often challenging to get large volumes of low permeable clays near the project site. Conveyance of large volumes of clay from distant locations can be unsustainable due to the associated carbon emissions and energy costs, and not viable financially. Hence, there is a need to identify alternative liner materials without compromising on the containment capabilities. This study proposes the use of fly ash, amended with bentonite, as an alternative to the traditional liner systems. From preliminary studies, it is understood that a mixture of 80% fly ash amended with 20% bentonite is optimal to function as an effective liner material. However, the hydro-mechanical stability of liners needs to be investigated under different contamination scenarios. The present study reports the compressibility behavior of the proposed liner system under phosphate contamination, typically found in landfill leachate, impoundments, and stormwater retention ponds. One-dimensional consolidation tests were conducted on pure bentonite and fly ash with water to study the compressibility characteristics of individual materials. The optimum mix (80-20) was then tested at three different solutions exposure: water, 3.2 mg/L PO4-3-P and 12 mg/L PO4-3-P. It is depicted that the addition of 20% bentonite to fly ash did not affect the compressibility significantly, while the presence of phosphate contamination did not compromise the hydro-mechanical stability of the proposed liner system.

The B-School of SRM University-AP frequently organises invited lectures and guest talks by renowned industry experts that enlighten the students of the Paari School of Business on the evolving domains of business, finance and management. A recent guest talk featuring Dr Manish Jha, MD of Briisk Limited, founder and MD of Finkai and Myra Academy, as the keynote speaker was conducted on the topic “Digital Transformation in Financial Services: Challenges and Opportunities” on May 27, 2023.

Dr Manish Jha explicated the various nuances of the industry and advised the students on the specific skillsets that have to be mastered to survive in the rat race. He stated that improvisation skill is more important to survive in this dynamic field. Dr Jha explained the importance of an MBA and the difference in expectation and reality while pursuing a Master’s in Business. A detailed overview of different specialisations along with their scopes and opportunities was also discussed. He had also real-life examples from his own journey that deeply impressed and motivated the students and faculty of the school. Dr Jha also addressed Ms Sudha, who was also a guest at the talk and remarked that she is an inspiration for all the girl students who are interested in building up themselves.

Covid-19, has wreaked havoc in ordinary life, health and finance have taken the worst hit. As for finance, people saw the loss of their livelihood, businesses collapsed and for several mid-scale and large-scale businesses, the working capital and firm performance diminished to a great extent. In the given context, Dr Pradeep Rathore Assistant Professor from The Paari School of Business (PSB) published a compelling research paper titled, “Working Capital and Firm Performance: Role of COVID-19 Disruption” in International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management” where he addresses the issue and analyses the cause.

Abstract

This study examines the performance effect of working capital for a large sample of Indian manufacturing firms in light of supply chain disruption, i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is based on secondary data collected from the Prowess database on Indian manufacturing firms listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 500. Panel data regression analyses are used to estimate all models. Moreover, this study has employed robust standard errors to consider for heteroscedasticity concerns. The results challenge the current notion of working capital investment and reveal that higher working capital has a positive and significant impact on firm performance. Further, it highlights that Indian manufacturing firms suffered financially post-COVID-19 as they significantly lack the working capital to run day-to-day operations. This research contributes to the scant literature by examining the association between working capital financing and firm performance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, representing typical developing economies like India.

The study implies that organisations need to have higher working capital during an economic downturn such as COVID-19 as it takes care of present and future financing needs, to facilitate their day-to-day operational activities, and to enhance performance of both working capital and firm performance, operational and financial. The study also suggests that Managers should understand the value of working capital and advocate for higher working capital investment to address supply chain disruptions during economic downturns.

Dr Pradeep Rathore is presently working on topics related to sustainable development
goals, sustainability, and solid waste management.

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‘‘You must give chances for students to explore new environments,’’ said Mr Dilip Gupta, MD of Sagarmala Development Company Ltd., while appreciating SRM University-AP for courageously taking the initiative to revamp the curricula to meet next-generation learning standards. He was one of the Guests of Honour at the Industry-Academia Dialogue held at the varsity with the objective of Revamping Curricula for Achieving Academic Excellence.

The conclave considered the guidelines the National Education Policy (NEP) set forth and discussed the need to revamp the curricula to adapt the varsity’s educational programmes accordingly. Mr Gupta elaborated on why the curriculum of educational institutions should be crafted with windows for students to explore themselves and newer arenas of knowledge. He implored the Vice Chancellor and the varsity faculty to pose a new challenge for the students every day.

Mr V Vinod Kumar, IAS, MD, Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation (APSDC), was the other Guest of Honour at the event. He lauded the impact of a well-crafted and executed curriculum in escalating the employment rate of society while generating skilled professionals. ‘‘You need to impart skill to students while they are at the educational set-up. Polish them inside the educational institution. It is a herculean task, but I’m sure we are on the right path,’’ added Mr Vinod.

Honourable Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora lightened the lamp with the Guests of Honour and began the conclave. Prof. Arora presented the university-level curriculum framework in front of the esteemed delegates and the university faculty, while deans of the three varsity schools presented the school’s overviews, achievements, and aspirations. Dr R Premkumar, Registrar and Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Dean-Academic Affairs and Controller of Examination, graced the occasion with their valuable presence. More than 50 professionals from the industry and leading practitioners from the social sector participated in the dialogue to address the foreseen challenges in higher education and recalibrate the curriculum of the varsity.

Through multiple sessions, the all-day-long dialogue considered the imperative to cultivate and enhance high levels of technological and social skills within the digital era’s present and future workforce. A joint panel discussion on 21st-century skills and Interdisciplinary learning with representatives from Academia and Industries; and a brainstorming session on exploring ways for continuous industry engagement with academia were also held as part of the conclave. The distinguished delegates visited the research centres and facilities at SRM University-AP once the event was over.

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