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- Reservation for Communities in Sikkim: Examining the Political Demand January 27, 2023
It is a prerequisite for a country like India showcasing vast cultural, social, political and economic diversity, for adopting an unprejudiced reservation system to ensure equal and just representation of varied communities in the political decision-making process of the country. But many communities that have been historically disadvantageous(SC/ST) still struggle to receive their right to representation. Dr Ugen Bhutia, Assistant Professor, Department of Liberal Arts, has published a paper titled “The Limbu–Tamang Communities of Sikkim History and Future of Their Demand for Reservation” in the Journal Economic and Political Weekly. The paper provides a comprehensive outlook on the complex history of the communities in Sikkim and past events that have cumulated in their demand for representation in the democratic polity of the country. The future direction of the demand for reservation and its prospective outcomes have also been emulated.Abstract
Since its merger in 1975 with the Indian union, one of the major sociopolitical issues in Sikkim has been the demand for reservation in the state legislative assembly for two communities—Limbu and Tamang. The demand of reservation for the Limbus and Tamangs crystallised in Sikkim when these communities were notified as Scheduled Tribes under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2002. The history and future of this political demand has been analysed.
Continue reading → - Kudos to our Champions! – Silver Medal at Volleyball Championship January 20, 2023
The joyful bliss when you reap the fruits of your labour and passion is immeasurable! The Directorate of Sports proudly congratulates the Men’s Volleyball team for bagging the Silver Medal in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State-level Institutional Volleyball Championship held at Khammam, Telangana. The league tournament was held from January 13 to 15, 2023 and was sponsored by Techwave India Ltd. The Volleyball team displayed a fantastic performance throughout the league and furnished a grand victory over the Khammam team in the semifinals by 3-2 sets. Dr Vijay Kumar Upadhyay, Ex-Ranji Player and Director of Sports, SRM AP was the Chief Guest of the Tournament.The team consisted of Captain – Ch Ganesh TVM Sai; Vice Captain – Ch Srinivas Rao and members N Gnana Sai Kiran, K Vivek, K Niranjan, K Bhardwaj, S Yeswanth, K Bhuvenesh, N Mahmood, K J N Venkat Sai, K Avinash, K Shri Harsha, K Balaji. They were accompanied by Coach – Tella Vamsi and Manager – Dr Abdul Mohimin.
SRM AP provides top-notch training and world-class facilities for students with potential, building them into national and international athletes. The university also celebrates the amalgamation of sports with academics improving the physical and mental constitution of the students. The university also recognises the need to provide aspiring athletes with opportunities to receive premier education. Hence the institute plans to include Sports and NCC Quota in the University Admissions in the upcoming year.
Continue reading → - Innovative University of the Year 2022: SRM University-AP bestowed with the title of honour January 17, 2023
SRM University-AP has been crowned as Innovative University of The Year -2022 by Academic Insights Magazine in recognition of the commendable contributions the university has made towards society and the educational fellowship. This title of honour is an annual recognition programme for private universities, which have stood out among the rest in the previous year in imbibing students with quality education and ethical values.SRM University-AP has been embodying absolute innovation across all the disciplines and schools of the university, which is a laudable quality among the new-age universities of the country. Universities vary widely in their innovation maturity levels, and there is a substantial knowledge and experience gap within and across institutions. SRM AP is credited as the notable exception for the pathbreaking innovations made in the higher education sector. The editorial team at The Academic Insights has conducted rigorous research on various factors to choose the university of the year, with many universities participating yearly.
Continue reading → - A Critical Analysis of Solid Waste Microplastics January 10, 2023
Solid waste is primarily an overlook source of Microplastics that contribute to a delirious amount of pollution to the environment. Thus, a clear understanding of the occurrence and degradation pathways of solid waste microplastics is critical to develop exhaustive control strategies. Dr Deblina Dutta, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, has published a paper titled, “An insight on sampling, identification, quantification and characteristics of microplastics in solid wastes” in the Q1 journal Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry, having an Impact Factor of 13.62.
Abstract of the Research
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted wide attention worldwide as a remarkable pollutant. While MPs spread throughout several complex environmental matrices, various experiments have been preliminarily concentrated on aquatic ecosystems. Terrestrial sources namely solid waste-origin have remained unexplored, although they contribute largely to the origin of aquatic microplastics. Simultaneously, terrestrial systems under human activity, like healthcare units, are likely to be polluted by various plastic ingredients. Solid waste MPs sources primarily include sanitary landfilling, food waste, wastewater treatment end-product (sludge), tire wear, textile washing and paint failure. These microplastics cause adverse impacts on the ecosystem, environment, and health. Accordingly, the present study addressed solid waste MPs’ occurrence and sources, identification, quantification, characterisation, fate, and degradation pathways for developing comprehensive management strategies following the principles of a circular economy.
In particular, this paper critically demonstrated solid waste MPs sources, solid waste MPs sampling followed by identification and quantification by adopting combined chemical (e.g., spectroscopy viz., Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy), physical (e.g., microscopies such as transmission or scanning electronic microscopy, TEM or SEM) and thermal analyses. Additionally, the strengths and limitations of each analytical technique are discussed critically with practical aspects. Further, national and international regulations or laws and their subsequent relevance to solid waste MPs management with future challenges are critically discussed. Finally, the outcomes of the review paper will be valuable to different stakeholders for effective policy implementation.
Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms
The published paper deals with microplastics (5 mm to 0.1 μm in size) present ubiquitously in the natural environment including rivers, lakes, estuaries, atmosphere, oceans, soil/sediments, landfilling sites, and wastewater treatment plants. However, microplastics are also present in solid waste and studies related to their identification, characterisation, and quantification are very scarce. Therefore, to know more about microplastics and understand the sources of microplastics in solid waste, the extraction procedures, the identification, characterisation, and quantification techniques, and finally the advantages and disadvantages of each of the processes involved in the identification, characterization, and quantification techniques of microplastics, this study has been carried out.
Practical Implementation/ Social Implications of the Research
Waste-assisted plastic pollution is a major global concern with socio-economic, ecological, and health effects. The present study will make society understand the source of microplastics in solid waste along with its extraction procedures, identification, characterisation, and quantification techniques. If society is aware of the adverse effects of microplastics, then only one can think to protect the environment and human health.
Collaborations
The research has been carried out in collaboration with the University of Burdwan, the University of North Bengal, and CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur.
It is now widely recognised that microplastic pollution poses a serious threat to the environment on a global scale. Having originated from a diverse source, it has persisted in various ecosystems, thereby entering the trophic chain. It has contributed to microplastic pollution in the environment, e-waste being a major source of it. Hence, along with metal recovery from e-waste, regulating microplastic pollution is a growing interest. At this juncture, Dr Dutta’s future research is directed towards resource recovery processes, regulating microplastic pollution, risk assessment, life cycle assessment, and techno-economics analysis.
Continue reading → - IEEE SPS Winter School on Deep Learning for Image Restoration and Computer Vision January 6, 2023
SRM University-AP hosted the IEEE SPS Winter School on Deep Learning for Image Restoration and Computer Vision from December 5 to 10, 2022. The six-day conference organised by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering was inaugurated by the honourable Pro-Vice-Chancellor of SRM University-AP, Prof. D Narayana Rao. Expert talks by renowned academicians from the University of Dayton, USA; University of Bath, UK; IIT Hyderabad; IISc Bangalore; IIIT Hyderabad; DA-IICT etc., were the highlights of the conference.Prof. Sumantra Dutta Roy from IIT Delhi, a well-acclaimed researcher in computer vision and machine learning, joined on the last day of the conference, Saturday, December 10, 2022, for a lecture on Biometrics and Medical Informatics. The discourse focused on the speaker’s struggles to come to terms with concepts which have comparatively little physical significance in terms of mathematical rigour or algorithmic efficiency but have the potential to produce hitherto unseen levels of startling results. The talk concluded with some applications of deep architectures and a few problems in biometrics and medical informatics.
The event was funded by IEEE and guided by the IEEE Guntur subsection and Hyderabad Section. Hands-on sessions were also conducted at the conference. Faculty, researchers, and students from various universities around the map participated in the insightful sessions. The event organisers were Prof. Jiji CV and Assistant Professor Dr Sateeshkrishna Dhuli of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, SRM University-AP.
Continue reading → - Young Researcher Award 2022 January 2, 2023
Dr Tousif Khan, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering has been awarded the “Young Researcher Award 2022” by the STEM Society at the International Conference organised at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla on December 17, 2022. The basic purpose of the STEM-RS is to bring together Researchers, Academicians, Industrialists and Experts from different parts of the country and the world, to exchange knowledge and breakthrough ideas at a common platform by organising national and international events such as Conferences, Seminars and Workshops that unite the Science, Technology, Engineering and Management for the empowerment of research and development.
Continue reading → - Aadigyan-Indian Immersion Programme for Students of UTP Malaysia December 28, 2022
SRM University-AP welcomed the students and faculty of the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia, to the rich cultural landscape of India through the Aadigyan-Indian Immersion programme 2022. The one-week-long programme conducted by the Directorate of International Relations and Higher Studies was inaugurated by the honourable Vice Chancellor of SRM University-AP, Prof. Manoj K Arora. Aadigyan is a flagship initiative of the university to promote India’s cultural and knowledge traditions.Dr Naga Swetha Pasupuleti, Associate Director of the Directorate of International Relations and Higher Studies, received the international students at the grand inaugural ceremony of the programme. Students participated in various short courses on Data Analysis, Samaj Seva, the Art of Negotiation & Digital Marketing offered by the Paari School of Business. They also got to visit the famous landmarks of Vijayawada, such as the Dhyana Buddha statue, Prakasham Barrage, Kondapalli, etc. The traditional toy-making practice enticed the Malaysian student cohort.
Students interacted with many industry experts as they visited Infosys Gachibowli, Hyderabad campus, which gave them insights regarding the current trends and new technologies. The programme also included interaction with the 160+ International students of SRM AP from more than 29 countries over RRR Movie Screening and Gala Night. The programme ended on December 26, 2022, with a valedictory session and facilitating faculty and students of UTP Malaysia.
Continue reading → - Industrial Visit to MEIL December 27, 2022
The Department of Civil Engineering has organised an industrial visit to Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) for engineering students to harbour them with the practical skillsets demanded by profession. The field visit was guided by senior engineers working on respective sites and co-ordinated by the faculty.
Project: Six-Laning of Vijayawada Bypass from Chinna Autupalli (Design Ch. 0.000) to Gollapudi (Design Ch. 30.000) Section of NH-16
Construction Company: Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL)
Visit Highlights:
- Safety training by MEIL
- Quality Control Lab tour
- Soil, Aggregate, Bitumen, and Cement Concrete Testing
- Quality Control Aspects
- Batching Plant visit
- WMM and Concrete batching plants
- Site Tour
- Earthworks, Embankment, and WMM Construction
Coordinating faculty: Dr A Uma Maheswar
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- Industry Visit for Hands-on Exposure December 27, 2022
The Department of Civil Engineering of SRM University-AP conducted the second industrial visit for the Civil Engineering students of all semesters on November 30, 2022.
Details of the industrial site
An 18-kilometre stretch bridge over the Krishna River in the Chinakakani-Gollapudi highway is under construction jointly by the Adani group and Navayuga Engineering Company Limited. Hands-on practical insight was provided by experienced site Engineers on the topic of the post-tensioned precast bridge and the launching arrangement of each precast segment using advanced technological equipment. Students were also exposed to the different units of the site (i.e., the Safety class was delivered by the site officials, the Concrete batching plant, Quality control laboratories, and the Casting yard of the precast units).
Coordinating faculty: Dr Nishant Sharma and Dr Arijit Saha
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- Estimating ACEs among Young Adults in Kashmir December 26, 2022
The Faculty of Psychology and Economics have jointly published a paper titled “Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among young adults of Kashmir” in the Q1 Journal Child Abuse & Neglect, having an impact factor of 4.863. Dr Ayesha Parveen Haroon, Lecturer, Department of Psychology; Dr Aehsan Ahmad Dar, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology; Dr Manzoor Hassan Malik, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics; Dr Dhamodharan M, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology have worked on interpreting the emotional constraints that are harboured among the young adults experiencing the adversities in turbulent Kashmir.
Abstract
The present study estimated the prevalence of ACEs among young adults studying in the colleges and universities of Kashmir, India. Findings disclosed that 15.4 % of the students reported high exposure to ACEs, 13.4% of the participants reported high exposure to ACEs, 26.3 % of the sample reported moderate exposure to ACEs, 33.0 % of the youth reported low exposure to ACEs and 11.8 % of the respondents reported no exposure to ACEs. The prevalence of ACEs was found to be 88.2 % (females: 82.7 % and males: 90.8 %) with a mean of 4.72 adverse events during childhood. The ACEs with the highest level of prevalence were “often or very often insulted or put down” (49.8 %), followed by “often or very often hurt physically” (47.6 %), “often or very often pushed, grabbed, or slapped” (41.6 %), “lived with a mentally ill household member” (28.3%), “touched or sexually fondled” (25.3 %),” household member being into the prison” (25.0%) and “witnessed father or mother being pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at them” (24.0%).
Practical Implementation of the Research
The findings of the study will serve as a reliable source for healthcare professionals, policymakers and NGOs to better understand the impact of ACEs on the health and well-being of individuals. Since ACEs are associated with several immediate and long-term health hazards, therefore, necessary efforts in this direction are suggested to advocate the early targeted intervention to reduce ACEs and their impact as well as design effective measures to improve the health and well-being of young adults, thereby reducing the development of physical and mental disorders.
Collaborations
- Prof. Sibnath Deb, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Dr Manzoor Hassan Mali, Department of Economics, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Prof. Waheeda khan, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Budhera, Gurugram, Delhi-NCR, India.
- Dr Ayesha Parveen Haroon, Department of Psychology, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Dr Amra Ahsan, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Budhera, Gurugram, Delhi-NCR, India
- Dr Farhat Jahan, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Budhera, Gurugram, Delhi-NCR, India
- Dr Bushra Sumaiya, Faculty of Education, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Budhera, Gurugram, Delhi-NCR, India.
- Shaheen Yawar Bhat, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
- Dr Dhamodharan M, Department of Psychology, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Mohamad Qasim, Independent Researcher
The research cohort plans to study youth’s mental health and ascertain its risk and protective factors. About 19% of the world’s children live in India, which constitutes 42% of the total Indian population, and nearly half of these children are vulnerable and need care and protection. Due to various traumatic experiences, stress has increased among young people resulting in various physical and mental disorders.
The research will focus on the pathogenic (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, somatisation) and salutogenic (post-traumatic growth and resilience) consequences of trauma to help the youth withstand adverse experiences and develop psychological competence. The research will provide insights into the mental health of youth that would be helpful for the administration, policymakers, and other voluntary organisations to understand effective ways to devise and implement the best intervention programs for maximising mental health protective factors and minimising its risk factors.
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