French Delegation in SRM University-AP discusses prospects of academic collaboration
MoU inked with Rennes School of Business
As part of an official visit to Andhra Pradesh, members of the French Delegation visited the SRM University-AP campus on Friday, 25 February 2022. An MoU has been signed between Rennes School of Business, France and SRM University-AP on student exchange, curriculum development, and articulation programmes. University Vice-Chancellor Prof V S Rao called the MoU “an important milestone for SRM AP” and welcomed students from France to India.
Mr Thierry Berthelot, Consul General de France a Bangalore, reaffirmed the MoU between India and France in the number and quality of student exchanges. “We have reached the aim of 10,000 Indian students by 2020; now, we look forward to increasing the number of Indian students in France significantly to 20,000 by 2025”, he added. The signing of the agreement for the mutual recognition of degrees will facilitate the pursuit of higher education by Indian students in France and French students in India and enhance their employability. The delegation emphasised that the collaboration with Rennes School of Business will further equip students of SRM University-AP to gain professional experience and job opportunities around the world. Mrs Maud LE BARS, South Asia Area Manager Rennes School of Business and Conseillere du Commerce Exterieur de la France, highlighted the student and faculty diversity in France that surpasses language barriers.
Consequently, Dr Naga Swetha Pasupuleti, Associate Director – International Relations and Higher Studies, talked about the strong partnerships SRM AP holds with QS ranked global universities and especially EFREI, France. The delegation interacted with the students and faculty members of SRM University-AP and discussed various possibilities of international internships and study abroad opportunities.
Mr Francois-Xavier Morteuil, Attache Consulaire pour la Coopération Scientifique et Universitaire; Mrs Ambika Anilkumar, Deputy to Attache Consulaire; Mrs Vasudha Murlikrishna, Campus France Manager Hyderabad; Mrs Vidya Suresh, Country Manager ESIGELEC (engineering school in France); and Mr Samuel Berthet, Director of Alliance Francaise of Hyderabad were part of the delegation and explored the university campus.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof D Narayana Rao, Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Deans and Associate Deans of all schools were present in the discussion pertaining to the future scope of collaborations with French academic institutions.
- Published in Departmental News, International Relations, IR-News, News, Paari Current Happenings
SRM University-AP launches Aadigyan: To promote India’s cultural knowledge tradition
Special invitees shower wishes to the initiative
Aadigyan, the flagship initiative of the International Relations and Higher Studies office at SRM University-AP, has been launched in a grand ceremony held at the auditorium in hybrid mode on February 26, 2022. Chief guest Shri G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Development of the North Eastern Region of India, shared the message that it is heartening to launch Aadigyan, which embarks the beginning of sharing Indian values, culture, heritage and art to a global level. “I wish Aadigyan a grand success and congratulate SRM University-AP for providing this wonderful opportunity to the world”, he added.
Prof V S Rao, the Vice-Chancellor, launched the promo video of Aadigyan and remarked that Aadigyan aims to integrate education with the art and culture of India. Dr Naga Swetha Pasupuleti, Associate Director – International Relations and Higher Studies, introduced the partnering institutions- ISKCON; The Art of Living; The Temple Dance; Nrityanjali; Isha Foundation; Rajyoga Education & Research Foundation, Brahma Kumaris; and Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence, Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad.
Introducing the Project Samskriti to the students of SRM AP, Smt Radhe Jaggi from Isha Foundation highlighted the need to nurture, conserve, and expose the majesty of traditional Indian arts when these art forms are being practised as hobbies.
As an alumnus of SRM, Shri Radheshyam Das, Founding Director of VOICE (Vedic Oasis for Inspiration Culture and Education), and President of ISKCON, Pune, appreciated the efforts of SRM AP to gear education towards human-making rather than money-making.
“Dance goes beyond the realm of physical reality. Indian dance forms are widely used for therapeutic purposes” highlighted Prateeksha Kashi, Indian Kuchipudi Dancer & Actress. Smt. Himansee Katragadda, Founder – The Temple Dance, further shared her happiness to offer Kuchipudi dance courses to the students of SRM AP.
Smt. BK Shivani, renowned Motivational Speaker & Spiritual Teacher from Brahma Kumaris elucidated the need for living in the fundamental equations of life. Brahma Kumaris will be offering courses on value education and holistic health as a part of Aadigyan.
“Let us not forget the identity and dignity of our own culture and traditions”, said Dr Tushar Guha, Founder & Chairman, Nrityanjali Group, while expressing his pleasure to partner with SRM AP. “Diversity is the basis of existence, and India celebrates diversity”, added Shri. Rajeev Nambiar, Director – Institutional Programs/National Teachers Coordination, The Art of Living.
Other special invitees who graced the virtual ceremony with their inspiring words include Dr Rewant Vikram Singh, Diplomat – High Commission of India, Srilanka; Ms Goli Gabby, Health and Wellness Coach and Educator; Swami Bodhamayananda, R K Math; and Ms Jennifer Mawulolo Ami Ametewee First Secretary – Trade, Tourism & Culture Officer High Commission of India, Ghana.
The event witnessed several cultural performances by the students of SRM University-AP. Ms Revathi Balakrishnan, Assistant Director- Student Affairs, thanked all the distinguished invitees and audience who joined the virtual inaugural ceremony of Aadigyan.
- Published in Departmental News, International Relations, IR-News, News
National Science Day: Enkindling scientific spirit in young minds
Every year National Science Day is celebrated across the nation to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir CV Raman, a milestone in the realm of science that won him the Nobel Prize. SRM University-AP, a pioneering multi-stream research institution has also celebrated the occasion of National Science Day on February 28, 2022, with immense pride, and paid homage to the pre-eminent scientist.
The event was celebrated in collaboration with South Asian Meteorological Association (SAMA) under the 2022 theme ‘Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future’ to exploit the burgeoning possibilities in the scientific domain for a healthy and prosperous future. Distinctive talks on the works of Nobel laureates of Physics, 2021 by notable scholars, Prof. T. Yasunari, Advisor, RIHN KCCAC, Japan and Prof. Krishna Achuta Rao, Head, CAS, IIT-Delhi were also arranged to shed light on the latest research practices and developments.
The inaugural address was delivered by Prof. V.S. Rao, Vice-Chancellor. He appreciated the students for their enormous participation in the activities organised as part of the celebration, and for rightly articulating the significance of the focal theme through their representations. “There cannot be a better example than the pandemic which demonstrated the integration of science and technology” he asserted. He also recollected the invaluable contributions of Indian scholars like Dr Jagadish Chandra Bose, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai who transformed the scientific outlook of the country.
Prof. BV Babu, Dean of School of Engineering and Sciences addressed the gathering and briefed about the relevance of taking science and technology together towards a sustainable future. He emphasized the relevance of non-conventional sources of energy in the times ahead and the social benefits associated with them. He further elaborated on the concept of digital lean solutions and their impact on our lives.
Prof. D Narayana Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor presided over and expressed concern over the inescapable repercussions of climate change and ruthless exploitation of nature. He also recognised the pivotal role SRM University-AP continues to play in creating talents and masterminds through intensive research practices and exposure to global technological facilities.
Prof. Someshwar Das, Convenor SAMA introduced the organisation, South Asian Meteorological Association and briefed about the numerous remarkable activities it carried out since its inception. He also highlighted various plans the organization intends to execute in future.
Further, there were talks on the works of Nobel Laureates 2021. Prof. T. Yasunari explicated the major works of the Nobel Laureate Prof. Syukuro Manabe and reiterated Manabe’s philosophy of ‘Simplicity and Balance’ in Climate Modelling. Prof. Krishna Achuta Rao threw light into the Stochastic Climate model, the innovation of another Nobel winner, Klaus Hasselman. A question-answer session was also organised with both the speakers for the students to gain insight into global scientific developments.
An array of programmes including science exhibition, laboratory visit, and quiz competition was also organised as part of the science day celebrations. Nearly 400 students from around 20 schools in and around the city of Guntur and Vijayawada actively participated in the events and expressed their inquisitive spirit and passion for science.
Awards and certificates were distributed to the winners and all other participants by the dignitaries. Students who have come up with innovatory models such as bluetooth car, human rescue detection system and many more were specially acknowledged and given mementoes. Dr Premkumar, Registrar proposed the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to everyone, especially the students for their enthusiastic participation.
The programme was made a huge success with the active and timely coordination of the organising committee, effective participation of the students and cooperation of every supporting staff and student at the university. SRM University-AP surges ahead as a revolutionary institute in research and developments and intends to disseminate scientific temper among the students to make phenomenal contributions to the world of science.
- Published in News, Research News
AI to boost up the performance of bioelectrochemical systems
The Department of Environmental Science is glad to announce that Dr Lakhveer Singh has published his paper titled, “Leveraging artificial intelligence in bioelectrochemical systems” in a prestigious journal Trends in Biotechnology with a high Impact Factor of 19.53.
The paper was published in collaboration with Baptist University, Hong Kong and Oregon State University, USA.
Abstract of the Research
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are highly evolved and sophisticated systems that produce bioenergy via exoelectrogenic microbes. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps to understand, relate, model, and predict both process parameters and microbial diversity, resulting in higher performance. This approach has revolutionised BESs through highly advanced computational algorithms that best suit the systems’ architecture for suitable fuel production.
About the Research
The performance of the microbial reactors primarily depends on the activity of the biocatalysts, indirectly governed by the microbial community structure and function. In this context, microbial dynamics are crucial for performance consistency and are sensitive to both biotic and abiotic stress in the reactor. To address this, a comprehensive, mechanistic understanding of the community dynamics is essential. Understanding the metabolic and electrochemical potentials would provide a basis for the selection and control of efficient communities with ramped metabolic flux and boosted electrogenic activity. The research will help in the development of an improved system for green fuel production.
According to Dr Lakhveer Singh and his collaborators, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Systems (ANFISs), backed with iterative and backpropagation abilities, can be applied to Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) with improved computational models. This will eventually provide a breakthrough in operational and translational research predicting newer parameters, such as predictions of the emergence of substrate-specific microbial communities in biosensors or bioreactors. They intend to work on this in future.
- Published in Departmental News, ENVS News, News, Research News