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“Andhra Pradesh to be a Green Hydrogen Valley” –  Honourable CM Sri Chandrababu Naidu at the Green Hydrogen Summit 2025

The Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, inaugurated the Green Hydrogen Summit-2025 at SRM AP. Dr V K Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Govt. of India, Sri K Vijayanand IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, and Dr P Sathyanarayananan, Pro-Chancellor of SRM AP, graced the event as the guests of honour. The two-day summit involved government agencies, researchers, policymakers and industrialists to address the critical need for a clean energy transition for a cleaner, more sustainable and forward-looking future.

In his inaugural address, the Honourable CM Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu termed the Green Hydrogen Summit a historical forum that brought together global experts and industries in Andhra Pradesh to work towards affordable, cost-effective clean energy. He stated that with a Rs 10,00,000 crore investment, offering 7.5 lakh jobs in green hydrogen and its derivatives for the country, and with the Andhra Pradesh Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia Policy, and ideological balance, no other state has stronger prospects in working towards green hydrogen development and storage. He also declared Amaravati as Green Hydrogen Valley, which will focus on affordable, cost-effective clean energy. He said, “This landmark summit marks a significant step towards protecting nature, a circular economy, and sustainability.”

Guest of Honour, Dr V.K. Saraswat, Honourable Member, NITI Aayog, commented on the significance of opting for cleaner fuels and energy resources. He said, “Green Hydrogen, which is at the heart of the National Hydrogen Mission, is a step towards achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.”

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Prof. D Narayana Rao, Executive Director-Research, SRM Group of Institutions, outlined the various initiatives by the ministries of the state – Road Transport and Highways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Steel – have already taken up green hydrogen projects that align with their sector. He also said SRM University-AP will establish an Innovation centre for Green Hydrogen Technologies.

With a vision to develop Andhra Pradesh as a hydrogen hub, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Govt. of India, remarked that right investments and government policies can drive green hydrogen plants to produce clean energy that is scalable and profitable. The Chief Secretary of the State, Sri K Vijayanand IAS, also remarked that the development and utilisation of hydrogen technologies necessitate specific expertise and skill development. The top universities of the nation, such as SRM AP, with advanced research infrastructure and intellect, can innovate and solve the pressing demands for cleaner energy fuel. Mr Pranav Tanti, CEO and President of Synergen Green Energy, also said that Andhra Pradesh is a highly favourable state to establish an industry for Green Hydrogen.

Aiming to nurture innovation and skill development in the clean energy space, Dr P Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor of SRM AP, announced the launch of the Department of Energy Engineering at the SRM Institute of Emerging Technology. “If our generation is the last to use fossil fuels, the next generation must lead the clean energy revolution. With their ideas, innovation, and courage, the youth will carry this transformation forward,” commented Dr P Sathyanarayanan.

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The Green Hydrogen Summit 2025, jointly organised by SRM University-AP, Government of Andhra Pradesh, IIT Tirupati, IISER Tirupati, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd. and the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu, explores the research and development, innovation, commercialisation of green hydrogen. Keynote addresses, plenary sessions and conclaves with industry stalwarts, research organisations, and policymakers aim to open new frontiers in the green hydrogen sector.

Read more about plenary sessions and conclaves

SRM University-AP hosted a memorable get-together, the Alumni-Meet and Greet in Hyderabad for its beloved alumni on June 29, 2025. The Meet and Greet welcomed 150 alumni from Hyderabad and neighbouring locations, who assembled for a wonderful evening of rekindling memories, reconnecting with peers and establishing new connections. Organised under the aegis of The Directorate of Alumni Relations, the event was presided by Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr Satish Anamalamudi, Assistant Director – Alumni Relations, Dr Vinayak Kalluri, Dean – Academic Affairs, Mr Siddharth Tripathi, Director – Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Mr Payeli Indra Kiran Kumar, President of the Alumni Association SRM AP.

Prof. Ch Satish Kumar welcomed all alumni and remarked that the Meet aimed to build an emotional bridge between the generations, batches, and sections. He opined that this network would help the alumni grow, prosper, and progress professionally and personally and commended Dr Satish and SRM AP for taking the initiative to build this bridge through the Alumni Meet and Greet.

Mr Indra Kiran Kumar enlightened the alumni on the various channels through which they could engage and contribute to their alma mater. He encouraged them to be mentors by sharing their experience and knowledge with the students, to be part of the various academic and non-academic councils of the university, and to join hands with the faculty and students to work on joint projects or begin a new business venture. He also emphasised the slogan “Come. Connect. Contribute” advocated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora.

The meet-and-greet offered alumni an opportunity to meet their fellow alumni and connect with their alma mater, which has guided them in their formative years of higher education and helped them choose their career path. The event also conducted some team-building activities and prizes for the winners.

The Hyderabad chapter of the Alumni Meet and Greet was a resounding success. The Alumni Relations’ initiative to organise several smaller meetings in various locations of the country made it easier and more accessible for the alumni to get together, witnessing a broad and active participation. The event organisers also encouraged the alumni to visit the campus occasionally and be part of the journey to excellence.

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The Department of Mechanical Engineering organised a focused Industrial Meet on June 21, 2025, titled “Demystifying Fracture Mechanics for Industry: Safe Design, Analysis and Operation of Pressure Vessels, Piping & Pipelines & Green Hydrogen Storage and Transportation Equipment.” This specialised workshop was designed for professionals from well-established Refinery, Petrochemical and Oil & Gas, sectors and the emerging Green Hydrogen industry.

The industry meet commenced with a brief keynote address by Dr Dipak K Chandiramani, Independent Consultant (Mumbai) & Chair, ASME PVP Division, India, on the topic “Quality Assurance in Fabrication: Perspectives from Industry Standards.” His talk laid a strong foundational understanding, setting the stage for the central theme of the meet. visited the laboratories of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and discussed opportunities for commercialising the available facilities. He expressed interest in promoting our industrial training programs on ASME’s Master Class – Advanced Learning Programs webpage and invited faculty members to participate in the upcoming ASME code development committee meetings.

Dr Gurumurthy Kagita, Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM AP, the main resource person for the event, shared his extensive industry experience relevant to the theme of the meet and explained the practical applications of fracture mechanics in the refinery, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors, as well as in the emerging green hydrogen industry.

The meet began with an introduction to the key concepts of fracture mechanics, presented in a simple and accessible manner for industry professionals. Emphasis was placed on visual learning through graphics and animations rather than traditional classroom-style lectures. In the latter part of the session, the focus shifted to applying fracture mechanics in alignment with various international industry codes and standards. Several case studies were presented using in-house-developed software modules, including Brittle Fracture Screening, MPT envelopes for hydro-processing reactors, etc.

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The meeting saw external participants from professionals across various industries, faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and students, including both B.Tech. and Ph.D. scholars.

Several industry participants expressed strong interest in future collaboration with SRM University. Multiple organisations, including Anup Engineering, Jindal Renewable Pvt. Ltd., and Ratnamani Metals and Tubes Ltd., expressed interest in signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with SRM University for future collaboration in advanced engineering services. Several companies also expressed willingness to offer internships and placement opportunities to SRM AP students.

Industry representatives showed keen interest in collaborative research and consultancy projects, particularly in areas such as hydrogen pipeline design, digital twin tools, and numerical assessment of hydrogen-compatible materials.

These outcomes collectively highlight strong potential for long-term industry-academia partnerships and increased opportunities for students in training, research, and employment.

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The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering organised a Skill Development Workshop on Next-Gen Power Electronics: Magnetics, Gate Drivers & Converter Design. Mr Sadeep Sasidharan, Director, Reliamotive Labs, Dr Ashiq Muhammed, Assistant Professor, NIT Calicut and Mr Aravind Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder, Reliamotive Labs, were the resource persons for the workshop along with faculty members of SRM University-AP.

The workshop provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving field of power electronics, combining theoretical knowledge with practical insights. Participants enhanced their expertise through offline sessions delivered by in-house faculty and industry experts from Reliamotive Labs, Bangalore.

The workshop covered the latest trends and technologies in power electronics, with a particular focus on hardware design and development of converters, the design of magnetics for the Flyback Converter, and designing PCBs using KiCad software. It offered hands-on learning opportunities and provided exposure to real-world applications. Participants had the chance to network with professionals, researchers, and experts, fostering collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas. The workshop has resulted in the participants developing technical skills in circuit design, analysis, and troubleshooting, as well as gaining proficiency with industry tools and software.

An insightful Q&A session helped participants clarify concepts and deepen their understanding during interactions with industry experts. Post-workshop, attendees applied the knowledge gained through mini-projects or continued practice, especially in hardware design and magnetics. Networking with peers and staying connected with resource persons opened doors for collaborative opportunities and further learning.

ADITRI, the flagship event by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, witnessed the launch of 100 women-led startups today. The momentous launch and machinery distribution & technical know-how transfer ceremony was inaugurated by Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, the Minister of State for Rural Development & Communications, Government of India.

The Ceremony, a culmination of the year-long endeavor, was aimed at empowering rural women and enabling them to become micro-entrepreneurs. Dr Pemmasani handed over machinery and certificates to the women entrepreneurs and stated, “Everyone wishes to be an entrepreneur, but it takes perseverance, courage, and sacrifice to actually pursue that path, the women here have shown that with passion and initiative, anything is possible.”

Dr Pemmasani lauded the contribution of SRM AP, Amaravati the grassroot level efforts of its Centre for Social Entrepreneurship on achieving this huge social change milestone. He also enumerated the myriad schemes such as MUDRA, Lakhpati Didi, Start-Up India, and Stand-Up India, as well as the digital platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, WhatsApp, and so on, using which entrepreneurs can learn and grow. He also added that “Women today can access knowledge on packaging, selling, and pricing right from their phones. ” He stated that self-help groups (SHGs) offer both community support and a path to income.

The event saw the participation of 1,500+ individuals alongside Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani; SRM AP’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ch Sathish Kumar; Registrar, Dr R Premkumar, Deans, Directors, and Members of the Faculty, Staff, and Students.

ADITRI, the Rural Women Micro-entrepreneurship initiative of SRM AP, is committed to empowering rural women, enabling them to be self-reliant, and improving their livelihood access. This mission also addresses critical gaps such as the lack of market access and resource acquisition.

Prof. Sidharth Shankar Tripathy, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, SRM University AP,  Amaravati remarked in his address that, “The vision of youth and the spirit of entrepreneurship have the power to change the world. ADITRI serves as a testament to the growing appreciation of how the rest of the nation views this model.”

As part of their efforts to launch the women-led business, the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the varsity offered bootcamps, 8+ training sessions, 7 briefing sessions across 200 + villages. The event also witnessed live interaction with rural women entrepreneurs through their product showcase and stalls. Events such as these boost not only the socio-economic landscape of a country but also bolster their skill and foster cultural preservation.

 

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The National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell, in collaboration with the Government Blood Center, Guntur Government Hospital, successfully conducted a blood donation camp on April 10, 2025. The event was formally inaugurated in the esteemed presence of the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Dean of Academic Affairs, and the Director of Student Affairs, who commended the NSS team for this life-saving initiative.

The camp operated from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, witnessing impressive participation from students, faculty, and staff members. A remarkable number of units of blood were collected during the event, a testament to the humanitarian spirit and social responsibility fostered within our university.

All donors underwent thorough health screenings conducted by medical personnel from the Government Blood Center to ensure eligibility based on factors like age, weight, haemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and general wellness. Strict hygiene and safety protocols were followed throughout the donation process.

The donors received Certificates of Appreciation from the Government Blood Centre, GGH Guntur, for their voluntary donations and splendid social service. Their participation reflected the selfless commitment that defined the camp’s success.

This initiative not only addressed critical healthcare needs but also served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact a single act of kindness can have on countless lives. Each donor who stepped forward embodied the spirit of service and solidarity that defines our university community. The overwhelming participation and enthusiasm reaffirmed the belief that even a small gesture when multiplied by many, can become a force of immense compassion and change.

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SRM University-AP commemorated its signature event, Research Day Ninth edition, on April 11, 2025, celebrating the relentless spirit of enquiry, excellence and innovation. The esteemed event witnessed the gracious presence of Prof. Ashok K Ganguli, Director-IISER Berhampur, Odisha, as the chief guest along with the university leadership Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora, Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Dean-Research Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Research Day Convenor Dr Sunil Chinnadurai, Deans of other schools, faculty, staff and students.

In his welcome address, Prof. Manoj Arora elucidated the significance of research and innovation in the university’s academic structure and plan to achieve institutional excellence. He stated, “Research Day is fundamentally a platform to identify talented students who have the potential to work on innovative ideas that can be implemented to benefit society.” He also mentioned the future prospects of establishing a Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Amaravati, where SRM AP will play a pivotal role in one of the five spokes.

Prof. Ganguli, an experienced researcher and scientist, appreciated Research Day as a pioneering initiative by SRM AP to promote a vibrant research culture across all academic levels. He said, “With a faculty pool with excellent pedigree, international exposure and a strong research acumen, SRM University-AP is on the right path to academic and research excellence.” He also discussed the transformation of teaching and research in the future years, emphasising that in the era of the AI revolution, novel, innovative research and creativity will triumph over robotic intelligence.

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The event revealed the abstract book comprising 263 UG/PG and 131 PhD abstracts in more than 30 thematic areas. 17 students were awarded gold medals, and 5 were awarded silver medals in the UG/PG category. In the PhD category, 10 scholars won the gold medals, and 5 won the silver medals.

For their outstanding contribution to cutting-edge research, selected faculty members of SRM AP were recognised with Best Researcher Awards. Dr Pardha Saradhi M was honoured with the Best Experimental Researcher Award, Dr Murali Krishna E with the Best Theoretical Researcher Award, Dr Dinesh Reddy V with the Best Industrial Researcher Award and Dr Harish Puppala with the Best Young Researcher Award. The faculty were felicitated with a memento and a cash prize of Rs 50,000/- for their high-quality research.

The 9th Research Day has successfully concluded, celebrating talent, perseverance, and innovation. With an unwavering commitment to interdisciplinary research and international collaborations, SRM University-AP advances to the frontiers of academic and research excellence.

“Major Breakthroughs Are Realised When Your Approach Is Multidisciplinary” – Prof. Pramod K Varshney

SRM University-AP hosted the 21st edition of its University Distinguished Lecture (UDL #21). The coveted event saw the presence of the distinguished speaker Prof. Pramod K Varshney from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, New York. The title of UDL 21, “Six Blind Men of Indostan: Theory and Application of Distributed Inference” elaborated on the use of sensors to collect data and its application in the areas of Security, Surveillance, Disease Detection, Military services and so on.

UDL #21 saw the presence of university leadership including Vice Chancellor, Prof. Manoj K Arora; Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Ch Satish Kumar; Registrar Dr R Premkumar; Dean-Research Prof. Ranjith Thapa, Deans of the three schools; faculty members; staff and students.

In his address, Prof. Arora lauded Prof. Varshney for his exceptional scholarship that goes beyond academia. He identified him as a great scholar and poetry enthusiast. Prof. Manoj K Arora underscored the importance of applying one’s research to real-world applications. He urged the attendees to integrate governance, industry, and academia to create wonders.

Prof. Pramod Varshney’s expertise in Signal Processing and Wireless Communications has helped in making remarkable contributions. During the lecture Prof. Varshney used the analogy of the blind men that described the elephant as various things. He stated that sensors are like blind men, their field of view is limited; the collective data inferred is then used to make decisions where the doctor tries to figure out the disease, the military commander on the action to take and so on.

Prof. Varshney also elaborated on how humans are also like sensors, sensors that work on biases. He stated that his research got him to experiment in diverse areas. He encouraged students to look for novel and innovative ideas to work on because “Major breakthroughs are realised when your approach is multidisciplinary.”

The session was followed by a ‘Q and A’ from students and faculty and culminated with the members of the leadership felicitating Prof. Varshney.

 

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The Film Gala 2025, organised by the CineMates Club of SRM AP, was inaugurated with a formal ceremony that marked a prestigious two-day celebration dedicated to the art of cinema, narrative excellence, and creative expression. This distinguished event established a professional forum for filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from across the nation to participate in intellectual discourse, competitive showcases, and cultural exhibitions.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Mrs Tejaswi Podapati Macharapu, Chairperson of the AP State Creativity and Culture Commission, Government of Andhra Pradesh, who served as the Chief Guest. She was accompanied by Mr Sujith Kalluri, Chief Club Advisors, distinguished faculty members, Founders and Alumni of CineMates, and official representatives from the organising committee.

The keynote address by Chief Guest Mrs Tejaswi Podapati Macharapu constituted the ceremony’s centrepiece. She delivered a comprehensive discourse on cinema’s transformative role in contemporary society. Drawing from her academic experiences, she emphasised the importance of integrating creative pursuits with scholastic endeavours. Mrs Tejaswi noted that India maintains its position as the world’s foremost film-producing nation, with an annual output exceeding 2,000 cinematic productions, thereby presenting substantial opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. She further emphasised that students from diverse academic disciplines, including engineering, possess the analytical acumen and creative capabilities necessary for success in the film industry.

To reinforce her message, Mrs Tejaswi referenced distinguished individuals from various professional domains, including politics, athletics, and the arts, underscoring how perseverance and passion are fundamental elements of professional achievement. She concluded her address by expressing admiration for the Film Gala’s established legacy and commended SRM AP for its institutional commitment to advancing artistic initiatives.

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The ceremony featured classical dance performances by Ms. Preeti and Ms. Deepthi, who demonstrated the artistic interpretation of narrative through choreographed movement, exemplifying the intersection of traditional cultural expression and contemporary storytelling techniques.

A significant component of the inauguration was the formal announcement of the 24-Hour Filmmaking and Editing Challenges. The Visual Chase competition specified that participants create a two-minute video exploring the theme “Nature Speaks to Me,” while the Classic Cut competition challenged contestants to produce a trailer for the film ‘Kalki 2898 A.D.,’ with a maximum duration of 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

The inaugural ceremony concluded with a comprehensive presentation of the day’s scheduled activities, including curated short film screenings, a poetry recitation session, and an evening film presentation. The enthusiastic participation from attendees signified the successful launch of Film Gala 2025, establishing an auspicious foundation for what promised to be an intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching festival.

The event received generous sponsorship from esteemed organisations including Sastri Balm, AWEC Consultancy, IVY Overseas, ATHER, Vastrakala Shopping Mall, Picxy, Harivillu Promoters and Developers Pvt. Ltd., V1 Overseas Careers Pvt. Ltd., and GTR Solar Power. Their valued support facilitated the creation of a platform where emerging talents could demonstrate their artistic vision and technical expertise.

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“Every Child Out of School is in Child Labour. Education, Education and Education alone is the Way Forward for a Progressing India.” – Prof. Shanti Sinha

The twentieth edition of the University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) on February 21, 2025, witnessed an invigorating session by the eminent anti-child labour activist Padma Shri Prof. Shanta Sinha, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Professor (Retd.) Dept. of Political Science, Hyderabad Central University. The session on the topic “Making Education a Reality and Ending Child Labour: Experience of M.V. Foundation” gave an overview of the work of M.V. Foundation in the field of child rights in India.

In a society ravaged by poverty, where children were forced to join the bonded labour workforce, Prof. Sinha remarked that it was not poverty that led to child labour but child labour that led to poverty. Prof. Sinha elucidated on the non-negotiable principle adopted by the M.V. Foundation, that ‘no child must work, and every child must attend full-time formal day school,’ which broke the societal norms of Indian society.

She briefly spoke about the impact that the M.V. Foundation had and the ripple it created in the field of child rights. “M.V. Foundation has withdrawn over 15 lakh children in the age group of 5-14 years from child labour; stopped over 20,000 child marriages and pioneered a program for mainstreaming children to schools through residential bridge courses. The MVF’s mission to abolish child labour also led to the Closure of Night Schools and the creation of necessary amendments in the Child Labour Act of 1986,” stated Prof. Sinha.

The session also discussed Prof. Sinha’s Journey at the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and the various challenges faced in addressing key issues such as violation of children’s rights in relation to child labour and child trafficking, rights of children in areas of civil unrest, juvenile justice system, corporal punishment, child abuse and violence on children, and child malnutrition.

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The UDL 20 was a mind opener and a lens into the reality of child labour still prevalent in India. Prof. Manoj K Arora, Vice Chancellor of SRM University-AP, expressed his gratitude to have the presence of a torchbearer of social reform at the UDL. He stated, “Prof. Sinha is a stalwart whose work has created a magnitudinal shift in the societal norm, significantly contributing to the abolition of child labour in India. We are grateful to imbibe from her knowledge and experience as a social leader.” Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts, Prof. Vishnupad, also expressed his heartfelt appreciation for Prof. Sinha’s presence and her work. He stated that the thought-provoking and inspiring session will ignite students to think in a ‘non-conventional’ way and offer courage to make a change.

The 20th UDL was organised under the aegis of the Office of Dean-Research, the UDL committee, and the Easwari School of Liberal Arts. It witnessed the presence of Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Dean of the School of Engineering and Sciences, Prof C V Tomy, Dean of Research, Prof. Ranjit Thapa, and Faculty and students of the varsity. The signature lecture series is the university’s flagship initiative to impart global exposure and quality education to its students.