All Management News

Utilizing photosynthetic microalgae to produce renewable biofuel

Dr Imran Y Pancha, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh has received an outstanding total outlay of Rs.27 lakhs from the DST, Government of India, to work on “Chemical modulator based microalgal biorefinery for the production of biofuels and bioproducts”. Dr Imran was fascinated by the potential of microalgae to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as its ability to accumulate a high amount of energy reserved molecules such as lipids/starch in the cells. Through his research, Dr Imran will be understanding the mechanism behind this and also, exploit microalgae for biofuel production.

Due to the development of industrialization and modernization, global energy demand is continuously increasing. Given that the fossil fuel energy reserve is limited, and its utilization causes various serious environmental issues such as global warming and the accumulation of GHGs in the atmosphere, renewable energy obtained from various biomass is a potential alternative to reduce atmospheric GHGs and the dependency on fossil-based fuel. Microalgae is one of the promising resources among various biomass since it has a high growth rate and photosynthetic ability in comparison to other terrestrial crop plants. Microalgae also accumulate a high amount of lipids and carbohydrates in the cell. Moreover, these microalgae can be cultivated in wastewater or seawater, which avoids the food versus fuel debate.

Dr Imran explains, “Microalgae usually accumulate lipid under stress conditions such as nitrogen starvation, which results in lower biomass production, limiting the commercialization of algal biofuel. The present research’s primary objective is to uncouple growth and lipid production pathway in the microalgae using chemical modulators. Utilization of such chemicals is also effortless in large scale production compared to the standard starvation approach. The next aim is to develop a process to extract multiple products such as pigments, lipids, and carbohydrates from single microalgal biomass. The development of such a biorefinery approach will lower the overall cost of the process and make it more economical on a large scale. To conclude, the focus of the project will be on utilizing photosynthetic microalgae to produce renewable biofuel and other commercially important products in a biorefinery manner. Utilization of microalgae will not only help to produce green fuel but also help in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) which creates several environmental issues.”

Using the SERB-SRG grant, microalgal cultivation facility will be established at SRM university-AP. The long-term goal of Dr Imran’s research group is to understand the molecular mechanism behind the accumulation of energy reserved molecules in the microalgae. Understanding such mechanisms will help to develop sustainable technology for the production of renewable biofuels from microalgae.

The second chapter of the Orientation Programme 2020 organized by SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh for Freshmen 2020 will have Dr Vangeepuram Sreenatha Chary as the next motivational speaker to deliver a talk on October 28, 2020 at 10.45 a.m. He is a Guinness World Record holder in the English language, national service, and soft skills. He also holds an Asia Book Record, India Book Record, Limca Book Record, And Telugu Book Record. After completing his Ph.D. in English Language from Osmania University, he became a motivational speaker and English language trainer having police personnel, journalists, and personnel from IT companies as his trainees.

Dr Vangeepuram Sreenatha Chary is also a newspaper columnist, and a reputed writer of the book which entered into the “8th Annual Edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”, United Kingdom. Further, he is seen on popular news channels offering his views on several issues of common interest. Being a strong believer of the notion: “One can make some difference, but together we can change the world”, he revels in sharing his vast knowledge and skills for a wonderful global tomorrow.

SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh has arranged the University Distinguished Lecture Series 02 on October 31, 2020 at 3 PM. Prof N Balakrishnan, Super Computer Education and Research Centre, Honorary Professor, Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bengaluru will be delivering a lecture on Data to Discovery in Information Security during the webinar. The guest speaker is a visiting professor at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Institute for Software Research International, and Carnegie Mellon University. Also, he is the director of the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Industrial Finance Corporation of India, Bharat Sanchar Nigam, and the Data Security Council of India. The Government of India honoured him with the civilian award of Padma Shri in 2002.

Presently, Prof N Balakrishnan is heading the National Supercomputing Mission of India approved by the Government of India. In addition, he is a former member of the National Security Advisory Board and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India along with being the former Deputy Managing Director of El Forge Ltd. Further, he held the posts of a director at C-DOT Alcatel Lucent Research Centre, Bharat Electronics, and Central Bank of India. Most prominently, Prof N Balakrishnan is renowned for his contribution in the establishment of the National Centre for Science Information, and Supercomputer Education Research Centre, in 1984, and 1994 respectively, at the Indian Institute of Science.

Registration Link : https://bit.ly/srmapUDL02     (Registration Closed)

After the success of the entrepreneurial talk by Ms Anita Sakuru in the first edition of the Orientation Programme 2020, Ms Anita Sakuru has been earnestly requested by SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh to inspire and enlighten the audience in the 2nd Orientation Programme 2020. Ms Anita Sakuru will be conducting the session with the Freshmen 2020 on October 27, 2020, at 10.45 a.m. Ms Sakuru is prominently known for her flair for entrepreneurship and innovation. She is the co-founder of Pragma Inc, an IT consulting firm founded in 1995. She served as an Executive Vice President for Kenexa and was instrumental in the IT transformation of the company. She has produced and judged a startup show on TV5 named Startup Junction. In addition, Ms Sakuru, is currently a chapter head for 50k ventures, a network that funds startups.

The inspirational talk series during the second edition of the Orientation Programme designed for Freshmen 2020 by SRM University- AP, Andhra Pradesh will commence with a session by Dr Manda Chiranjeevi Das on October 26, 2020, at 10.45 a.m. Dr M C Das is a coveted Management Consultant who owns a certificate in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in addition to certificates in Counselling, Communication Media, Transactional Analysis, Radio & Journalism, and Effective Classroom Communication. He is a Visiting Professor at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Krishna University, K L University, and Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence along with being a Professor Emeritus and Dean of Management Studies at SRK Engineering College.

Dr M C Das is a Management Consultant at Ramesh Hospitals, and is experienced in training personnel engaged in the Department of Police, Revenue, Transport, APSRTC, APGENCO, Banks, College and School, and other Public and Private Sector Organizations. Being an active member of many literary and cultural organizations in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, a member of the Forum for Child Rights, and the negotiator of the Anti-hijacking Committee of Vijayawada Airport, he is committed to the service of rehabilitating street children.

Dr M C Das writes articles in Andhra Prabha, Indian Express, The Hindu, Hans India, Sakshi, etc. He is the Editor of Chamber News, actor, and director of Telugu Drama, staging hundreds of performances. During his previous session in the first chapter of the Orientation Programme, 2020, Dr M C Das inspired the students immensely by urging them to be passionate about their education. Similarly, the students are recommended to attend his session to feel motivated to achieve their career goals.

Department of Corporate Relations and Career Services, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh is organizing a session on “Career Through Social Media”. Mr K S Siddesh Ram has been invited as a guest speaker to address the audience during this session on October 24, 2020, at 5.30 PM. He has a gamut of experience in the Corporate Human Resource for over 20 years. Presently, he is the Director of Human Resource at AUGRAY, and earlier, he was the Vice President for KRDS, a leading Social Media & Mobile Agency.

Mr K S Siddesh Ram has demonstrated leadership in a broad spectrum of HR functions including Talent Acquisition, Man Power Planning, Policy & Processes, Compensation & Benefits, HRIS, Talent and Performance Management, Leadership Development, Employee Relations & Engagement, Statutory Compliance, Rewards & Recognition, and Legal Administration. Further, Mr K S Siddesh Ram purposes to elevate and educate the “fresh blood in colleges” on how to use “Social Media Platform” to accelerate career growth. He has given lectures in many colleges on various genres pertaining to Corporate World, Fresher’s Need, HR, Management, and others.

SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh is delighted to announce that C Kutumba Rao will be conducting a session titled “Global Financial Scenario in 2020” on October 23, 2020, at 5.00 PM. C Kutumba Rao is a resourceful and ambitious market analyst/economist with an extensive understanding of financial markets/economic theory and its practical implications. His ability to identify emerging economic trends and issues, understanding of economic relationships, knowledge of interest rates, taxation, and employment levels, enables him to provide a clear explanation of financial information along with effective recommendations.

After joining as a Sub-Broker in the Hyderabad Stock Exchange in 1991, C Kutumba Rao became the Director of M/s PL Stock & Share Broker Pvt Ltd-Member of Hyderabad Stock Exchange and the Director of Hyderabad Stock Exchange Ltd between 2011-2013. In addition, he is the writer of the popular column “Market Khabar” in Deccan Chronicle, columnist of “Market Khabarein” for Hans, and Presenter of business and stock market live shows in popular TV channels such as TV 5, TV9, Mahaa TV, ETV, NDTV, India Today, and others. Further, he is the former Vice Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Planning Board, and is presently the Director of Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation.

The Hans India – Oct 18

SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh presents the second edition of the Orientation Programme for the Freshmen 2020. The university invites the students who had recently been admitted in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (including Basic Sciences (SEAS), School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS), and School of Entrepreneurship And Management Studies (SEAMS) to participate in the programme.

The first chapter of the programme has been a successful one where the students were introduced to the various departments, facilities, campus life, and other aspects of university life. Further, eminent speakers were invited to inspire the students to excel in life. Similarly, the phrase 2 of the orientation programme will witness many such sessions which will be immensely beneficial for the students who will commence their erudite journey with SRM AP at the earliest.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh is orchestrating a five-day online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Recent Advancements in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence” from November 2, 2020, till November 6, 2020. The programme will be split into two sessions, where the first session will be held from 9.30 AM to 11 AM, and the second session will commence at 11.30 AM and end at 1 PM. During the FDP, Resource persons will be sharing knowledge during the morning sessions of the FDP to inspire, and mentor the faculty. Among the venerated speakers, Prof Dipti Prasad Mukharjee, Professor, Electronics and Communication Sciences Unit, ISI Kolkata, India will be delivering a lecture on “Machine Learning Techniques for Computer Vision”. Further, Dr V Masilamani, Associate Professor, Computer Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India, will be sharing insights on “Machine Learning for Image Quality Assessment”.

Moving ahead with the FDP, Dr Deepak Mishra, Associate Professor & Head, Avionics Department Indian Institute of Space Technology (IIST), Trivandrum, Kerala, India, will host a session on “Machine Learning Applications in Remote Sensing”. Another session will be held on “Object and Image Memorability Analysis using Deep Learning Approach” by Dr Arjit Sur, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati, India. In addition, Dr A Vadivel, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, has been requested to conduct a session on “India Facial Expression Classification Using Machine Learning”. Apart from this, Dr Amal Dev P, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati, India will be discussing the “Applications of AI in Computer Graphics”.

Dr Deepak Ranjan Nayak, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering, MNIT Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, will be speaking on “Medical Image Processing using Deep Learning” whereas, Dr Sanjay Kumar Panda, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, NIT Warangal, Telangana, India have chosen the topic “Case Study of Machine Learning: Recommender Systems” for his lecture during the FDP. Also, the department of CSE will be welcoming Dr Subhankar Mishra, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, India, and Dr Jatindra Dash, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, India, to deliver a talk on “Secure and Private Machine Learning”, and “Texture Classification using Machine Learning”, respectively. Post graduate and research students, along with faculty across various institutions with background knowledge in Computer Science and/or Electronics Engineering are urged to attend the FDP to augment their horizon of knowledge, and receive an e-certificate on successfully completing the entire five-day FDP.

Registration Link: Please Click Here

Brochure: Please Click Here

Coordinators’ Details:
Dr Manikandan V M
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
EMAIL: manikandan.v@srmap.edu.in

Dr Sobin C C
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
EMAIL: sobin.c@srmap.edu.in