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Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering has been conferred with the Young Scientist Award from the Biotechnology Society of India. The award was received by Dr Karthik Rajendran from Padmashree Prof. GD Yadav (ICT Mumbai).

This prestigious award is given to scientists less than 35 years old for their work carried out in India. This is a testament to the work he has been doing at SRM University-AP for the last 4.5 years. The Jury of the award committee consisted of twenty-three experts across India and the Globe.

In the last 20 years of its inception, only once before such an award was given to any private institution.

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MSc Students from the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering had a delightful opportunity to participate in the Workshop on “Sustainable Wastewater Management: The Role of Advanced Treatment and Sensing Technologies” organised by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati on December 01 and 02, 2023. The students got to learn about novel technologies available for wastewater treatment and also visited three wastewater treatment plants at IIT Tirupati that showcased wastewater recycling technologies. Fruitful discussions with both academicians and industrial experts on current challenges in wastewater management and innovations and opportunities in the water sector were the highlights of the workshop.

A proud moment for SRM University-AP as Dr Karthik Rajendran, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, receives the prestigious Hiyoshi Young Leaf Award.

The Hiyoshi Young Leaf Award recognises novel, innovative, and outstanding scientific research and application in the field of environmental conservation and protection in India. Dr Rajendran’s dedication to research, innovative approaches, and impact on the academic community have earned him this esteemed accolade.

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Karthik Rajendran for this well-deserved recognition,” said Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor, SRM University-AP. “His exemplary work reflects the varsity’s commitment to fostering excellence in the field of Environmental Science and Engineering.”

“It is a great honour to be receiving the Hyoshi Young Leaf Award, it motivates me further to work harder and with greater passion, I would like to thank Hiyoshi Corporation for presenting me with this award,” said Dr Karthik Rajendran.

Dr Rajendran has received several awards in the past for his remarkable contributions to the field of environmental science and engineering. He has been recognised as one of the top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and has also been honoured with the Young Scientist Award among others. Apart from his research, Dr Rajendran is also dedicated to educating the next generation of environmental scientists and engineers, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping future leaders in the field.

SRM University-AP celebrates this milestone in Dr Rajendran’s career and looks forward to continued excellence in his contributions to environmental science.

In the dynamic landscape of global education and employment, SRM University-AP reaffirms its commitment to producing not just graduates but global citizens through the instrumental role played by Directorate of International Relations & Higher Studies (IR & HS).

At SRM University-AP, IR & HS stands as a catalyst in producing graduates who transcend geographical boundaries. It goes beyond the conventional approach to education, shaping global citizens equipped to navigate the complexities of an interconnected world. The focus is not solely on degrees but on fostering a global mindset that prepares students for the challenges of a diverse and dynamic workforce. Currently, the university proudly hosts over 150 international students from more than 24 countries who have joined us for BSc, BTech and Management programmes enriching the academic landscape with diverse perspectives.

Global Immersion Programmes, Semester Abroad Programmes, and International Internships offer students immersive experiences, exposing them to diverse cultures and educational practices. These initiatives extend beyond the classroom, providing a holistic education that goes beyond borders. The university has established research collaborations with prestigious institutions such as Maine University, USA, fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation.

Events such as the Diplomatic Exchange and Global Principal Conclave showcase the commitment of SRM University-AP to fosters global partnerships and collaborations. These forums create opportunities for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative ventures, enriching the academic experience for students by encouraging the spirit of curiosity, multidisciplinary alliance, inbound and outbound exchanges, research and outreach programs that transcend borders.

In a significant development, the recent appointment of Ms. Aditi Jain as Director of International Relations & Higher Studies (IR & HS) brings a fresh perspective and renewed vigor. With a wealth of over 18 years of experience spanning education, skill development, and the EdTech industry. She has contributed to Fortune 500 companies, the development sector, universities, and global start-ups, including renowned organizations like American Express, Samsung, Microsoft, and Bennett University. Ms. Jain is poised to lead the Directorate to new heights, contributing to SRM University-AP‘s standing as a global education hub.

SRM University-AP has recently appointed Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy as its new Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship. This appointment is a significant milestone in the varsity’s effort to enhance the entrepreneurial fervour on campus, especially since it’s declaration of the year 2023 as The Year of Entrepreneurship.

Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy, an alumnus of Harvard University with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from S P Jain Institute of Management & Research is a seasoned educator and entrepreneur, who has launched and led several global ventures successfully. As an accomplished entrepreneur, Mr Sidharth Tripathy has founded numerous successful ventures. Some of his notable achievements include establishing Brandgain, Asia’s first Sales & Marketing Process Outsourcing company, and Newzworm, the world’s first global news source for pre-adolescent and adolescent children. His enterprise, Skillizen Learning, provides life skills training across 72 countries. Additionally, he is also the co-founder of “iSEED-The Indian School of Entrepreneurship” and “Life Skills University, Singapore”.

Dr P Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor of the varsity, welcomed Mr Shankar Tripathy, stating that, “he is an invaluable asset to the university.” He said, “Under his expert guidance, the university will transform its entrepreneurial landscape to achieve institutional excellence.” Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora, also welcomed Mr Tripathy aboard. Prof. Arora expressed his appreciation of Mr Shankar Tripathy’s expertise and leadership that will guide the budding entrepreneurs of the varsity to scale new heights on global frontiers.

In response, Mr Shankar Tripathy expressed his excitement in joining SRM University-AP and stated that “the adrenalin rush of joining the varsity is quite akin to starting his first entrepreneurial venture 20 years back”. He also mentioned that he is thrilled to start this journey to make SRM University-AP, India’s Stanford.

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Directorate at SRM University-AP is a burgeoning department with over 30 startups under incubation, women-led startups, national and international collaborators like Berkeley University of California, Stanford SEED, MHRD, Start-up India, MSME, and APSSDC to name a few. The varsity believes that the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will further flourish with Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy at its helm.

In the Karthik month of the Hindu calendar, a vibrant and eco-friendly celebration, Karthika Vana Mahotsavam took centre stage at SRM University-AP. The varsity honoured the tradition and fostered environmental consciousness with its Vanamahotsavam. This annual event has become a significant tradition in the varsity and draws faculty and staff and their family members from different communities together to celebrate the beauty of the earth and promote sustainable living.

The celebration that took place in the Mango Gardens, near Sri City in Nidamaru saw the participation of members of the leadership including Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Registrar, Dr R Premkumar, Directors and former members of the leadership. The Vana Mahotsava intended to honour both nature and celebrate the bond between humans and nature was organised by the Directorate of Human Resource Management.

The event also saw children and families bonding over games and other exciting activities organised by the Directorate. Vanamahotsavam was a holistic way of fostering a sense of responsibility for future generations and served as a reminder that small, concerted efforts can contribute significantly to the global movement for a greener and more sustainable planet

 

The spirit of Christmas echoed through the halls of our campus this year as students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate the festive season. The Christmas celebration organised by the Directorate of Student Affairs was a grand affair, with enthusiastic participation from key figures, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans of all schools, and dedicated faculty and staff.

The event saw an inclusive participation of international students, adding a global touch to the festivities. The diverse cultural backgrounds of the international students enriched the celebration, reflecting the unity in diversity that defines the academic community at SRM University-AP.

One of the highlights of the Christmas celebration was the active involvement of the university leadership. The Vice-Chancellor, with a radiant smile, inaugurated the event, setting a joyous tone for the entire gathering. The heart of the celebration was the involvement of both local and international students. The student affairs directorate organised a series of entertaining games and activities that brought everyone together. International students, showcasing their unique talents, not only participated actively but also emerged victorious in several competitions, winning well-deserved prizes.

 

The research paper titled “The Adolescence Stress Scale: Development and Standardization” is a significant contribution to the field of psychology. The paper by Dr Sandra Roshni Monteiro, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology in SRM University-AP featured in The Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and provides a detailed account of the development and standardisation of the scale, highlighting its importance and relevance. Dr Monteiro has developed a comprehensive stress scale that aims to evaluate the psychometric issues faced by school-going adolescents.

Here’s a brief extract of the paper.

Abstract

Background/Aim

The objective of the paper was to develop a comprehensive “Adolescence Stress Scale” and to examine different psychometric issues in the development, initial validation, and standardization of this scale.

Method

Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the data procured from a sample of 634 (11–18 years) school-going adolescents in India.

Results

An exploratory analysis provided a 10-factor structure, namely, major loss-induced stress, enforcement or conflict-induced stress, phobic stress, interpersonal conflict-induced stress, punishment-induced stress, illness and injury-induced stress, performance stress, imposition-induced stress, insecurity-induced stress, and unhealthy environment-induced stress. The 10 oblique factor solutions are found to be interrelated and interdependent with good indices of internal consistency, and content validity.

Conclusions

This scale development is a novel and powerful measure that taps onto various aspects of stress experienced by school-going adolescents. The scale can facilitate researchers, clinicians, and teachers to identify and quantify the significant sources of stress in adolescents in school, or clinic settings.

The Department of Chemistry at SRM University-AP organised an academic colloquium called ChemZeal 2 on December 02, 2023. The event aimed to promote the Department and its research among undergraduate and graduate students from various colleges. It also provided a platform for students to interact with chemistry enthusiasts and learn about the latest advancements and research in the field.

ChemZeal 2 featured a lecture by academic stalwart, Prof. U V Varadaraju on Solid-State Materials in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras. Prof. Varadaraju also spoke about various aspects of the field, including research, career paths, higher studies, and job opportunities in the industry.

The welcome note was given by the Department Head, Dr Pardha Saradhi Maram, while Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora and Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan, Associate Dean in-charge (Science), also addressed the gathering with their valuable inputs. The event also included an interactive session with the guest speaker, where faculty and students could interact and get expert insights.

ChemZeal 2 also featured a talent test for over 320+ students from different colleges, with prizes awarded to the top three winners. The event was designed to attract students to pursue higher education and research in the field of Chemistry and provided a platform for BSc/MSc/PhD students to showcase their research and interact with potential candidates.

The event organisers – Dr Sabyasachi Chakrabortty (Convenor) & Dr J P Raja Pandiyan (Co-convenor) helped culminate the outreach activity with a campus tour, where attendees could witness state-of-the-art facilities, high-end research labs, and futuristic technology.

viksit bharatIn a remarkable display of technological prowess and inclusivity, SRM University-AP organised a live-streaming event for the launch of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The momentous occasion took place at the university’s auditorium, witnessing the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including the Registrar, Dr R Premkumar, Director of Student Affairs, Mr Anil Kumar Nigam, Director of Communications, Mr Pankaj Belwariar, Associate Director of Student Affairs, Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, and a multitude of enthusiastic students.The event, which aimed to empower the youth and encourage their active participation in shaping the future of India, was broadcasted live to ensure widespread accessibility. The atmosphere in the auditorium was electric as the audience eagerly awaited the Prime Minister’s address.

Parallel to the main event, a program was held at Raj Bhavan in Vijayawada, where Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora along with other prominent personalities, graced the occasion. Prof. Manoj K Arora actively participated in a panel discussion centered around the theme of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth,’ sharing valuable insights and ideas for the nation’s progress. The Vice Chancellor’s dynamic contribution to the panel discussion was recognised and appreciated by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, who honoured him with a shawl and a memento as a token of gratitude.

The live streaming event organised by SRMAP not only showcased their commitment to embracing technology for the benefit of the students and the wider community but also provided a platform for young minds to engage with the Prime Minister’s vision for a developed and empowered India. The launch of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047: Voice of Youth’ marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a progressive and inclusive nation, with SRM University-AP playing a pivotal role in fostering the spirit of youth leadership and participation.