Insights from Prof. Pramod K Varshney at UDL #21
“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.
- Published in Departmental News, News, Research News, University Distinguished Lecture
Padmashri Prof. Shanti Sinha Discuss Child Labour and Child Rights in India at UDL#20
“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.
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.
Renowned Nanoscientist Prof. Pulickel M Ajayan Delivered UDL#19
“Engineering very small things, structures less than 10nm, is challenging – and this is my biggest interest.” – Prof. Pulickel M Ajayan.
The university hosted its nineteenth edition of the University Distinguished Lecture, featuring a celebrated talk on “Nano-Engineered Materials” by eminent scientist Prof. Pulickel M Ajayan, Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor of Engineering and Founding Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Nanoengineering at Rice University, Texas, USA on January 07, 2025. A pioneer in nanotechnology with a noteworthy career extended to three decades, Prof. Ajayan’s session elucidated the recent developments in nanotechnology, particularly in relation to the challenges in designing and controllably synthesising functional nano-engineered materials.
Prof. Ajayan spoke extensively on the three major key points – Atomically Thin Layers (2D) Vertical and Lateral Heterostructures, Defects & Single Atoms and Printed 3D Nano-architectures & Nanocomposites. “Three decades ago, nanotechnology or nanomaterial science was just emerging. Today, it has become an enabling technology with fundamental developments in controlled manufacturing of nanomaterials,” remarked Prof. Ajayan in his lecture. He proceeded to elucidate the various phases of nanotechnology – the first phase, where scientists worked on the fundamental understanding of material synthesis, controlled fabrication, etc.; the second phase of integrating nanotechnology into potential devices; and the current phase of high-tier development through commercialisation.
“A prominent figure in nanotechnology, Prof. Ajayan’s work in carbon nanotubes is exemplary in understanding the building of nano heterostructures. It is a privilege to have him share his wealth of knowledge on this remarkable occasion,” said Prof. CV Tomy, Dean – SEAS, in his welcome address. Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean – Research, also praised Prof. Ajayan for his contributions to nanoengineering and material science. Prof. Ajayan also had a brief interaction with the faculty regarding potential academic and research collaborations.
The 19th University’s distinguished lecture on nano-engineered materials ignited genuine curiosity about the field among the participating students. The profile of Prof. Pulickel M Ajayan and his astounding research portfolio motivated both faculty and students to explore nanoengineering and material sciences. The 19th UDL was graced by the presence of Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Deans of various schools, faculty from various streams and students of the varsity. The UDL series is a testament to the university’s passion for research and commitment to place SRM AP in the frontiers of academic and research excellence.
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Stanford University Professor Highlights Liberal Arts Education in India
SRM University-AP convened the 18th chapter of its esteemed University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) series under the auspices of the Easwari School of Liberal Arts. This enlightening session showcased the expertise of Prof. Thomas Blom Hansen, the Reliance-Dhirubhai Ambani Professor & Department Chair, Department of Anthropology School of Humanities and Sciences Stanford University, USA. The lecture delved into the topic of “Interiority Design: Liberal Arts Education in India,” providing insights into the evolving landscape of liberal arts education within the Indian context.
Manoj K Arora stated, “We are a university that provides unique learning experiences; this UDL is part of that learning.” His insightful address underscored the significance of liberal arts and interdisciplinary learning.
During the lecture, Prof. Thomas Blom Hansen remarked on the need for liberal arts education in India to shape well-rounded individuals capable of addressing multifaceted challenges and embracing diverse perspectives. Prof. Hansen’s remarks emphasised the relevance and transformative potential of liberal arts education, enabling students to introspect and cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around them.
The 18th chapter of the University Distinguished Lecture (UDL) concluded with an interactive Q&A session. A token of appreciation was presented to Thomas Blom Hansen by Prof. Vishnupad, Dean-Easwari School of Liberal Arts, along with Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research; Prof. G S Vinod Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Dr Ayesha Parveen Haroon, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology; Dr J P Raja Pandiyan, Assistant Professor-Department of Chemistry. The event also saw the presence of Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan and Prof. Vandana Swami, among others.
- Published in Departmental News, News, University Distinguished Lecture
IASc President Delivers the UDL and Inaugurates Centre of Excellence
SRM University-AP welcomed Prof. Umesh V Waghmare, President – Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru on the momentous occasion of the inauguration of the Centre for Computational and Integrative Sciences and as the keynote speaker of the 16th University Distinguished Lecture held on September 27, 2023. The institute launched its eighth Centre of Excellence that embraces true interdisciplinary collaboration in alignment with the mission of SRM University-AP. Prof. Waghmare acknowledged the tremendous research infrastructure of the institute that intensifies and cultivates research, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit on campus. The Centre which is a dedicated platform for computational research, was launched in the presence of Prof. V S Rao, Advisor; Dr R Premkumar, Registrar; Prof. Ranjit Thapa, Dean-Research, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Ravva, Co-ordinator of the center, and faculty of SRM University-AP.
Prof. Waghmare also delivered an insightful session on “How Materials Shape Technologies: Past, Present and Future” as part of the 16th edition of the University Distinguished Lecture Series organised by the institute. “Material Science is an interdisciplinary field of science that witnesses the confluence of natural sciences and engineering. The history of materials (its processing) influences its structure and thus the material’s properties and performances. These diversified materials have influenced humankind significantly from the beginning of our civilization to the 21st century”, stated Prof. Waghmare in his lecture. He also expounded on how materials have been the key to technological revolutions, the impact of Quantum Physics in Material Science and combating present challenges to energy and environment through modern materials and technologies.
Prof. V S Rao, Advisor stated that the primary aim of the University Distinguished Lecture series is to inspire research scholars and students to engage in innovative initiatives that contribute to the comprehensive advancement of our nation. The lecture successfully concluded with a Q&A session and a vote of gratitude. A memento was presented to Prof. Umesh Waghmare as a token of appreciation by Dr R Premkumar.
- Published in News, University Distinguished Lecture
University Distinguished Lecture Series 01: Prof Ajay K Sood on “Doing Science Without Borders”
SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh is organizing University Distinguished Lecture Series. The first edition of the series is arranged on October 17, 2020, at 3 p.m., where Prof Ajay K Sood, Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS and Honorary Professor, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, will be delivering a lecture on “Doing Science Without Borders”. In the recent times, humanity is facing several challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and energy and food crises. Scientific and evidence-based inputs from various disciplines of natural science, engineering, as well as humanities is essential for the world to thrive.
This inter-disciplinary approach with active collaboration amongst experts across different spheres will assist in synthesizing a complete understanding of the issues. Prof Ajay K Sood will speak on his recent works such as “Emergent phenomena of flocking seen in birds, fishes and humans”, “Machine learning in understanding a few century-old problem of devitrification of glasses”, and “Making of nanoscale bacterial heat engines”. Drawing examples from his aforementioned works, Prof Ajay K Sood will narrate the power of collaboration in doing creative basic science.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/srmapUDL01 (Registration Closed)
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University Distinguished Lecture Series 02: Prof N Balakrishnan on Data to Discovery in Information Security
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.
During his lecture, Prof N Balakrishnan will focus on demonstrating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in discovering the ever-increasing quantity of data in computer networks. Splitting his lecture into two segments, Prof N Balakrishnan will initiate the session by describing the concept “Revenge of Silicon” that clearly establishes the inevitability of the birth of big data and AI. Further, he will share insights regarding his research on the use of ML in handling large volumes of network data to enhance the performance of Intrusion Detection Systems, detecting structured botnets at infrastructure level traffic, malware detection, and classification for offline and online streaming data. Proceeding with the talk, he will dedicate the second half of his lecture in explaining Influence maximization and mobility, and churn prediction for a large population of a city which depend on large volumes of data from social media and Call Data Records (CDR). These concepts have significance in establishing smart cities, smart businesses, and smart economy.
Registration Link : https://bit.ly/srmapUDL02 (Registration Closed)
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Prof Budaraju Srinivasa Murty to share insights during University Distinguished Lecture Series 03
SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, orchestrates the third chapter of the University Distinguished Lecture Series on “Atma Nirbhar Bharat: The role of collaborations”. Prof Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, Director of Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, will be adorning the webinar with his presence on November 7, 2020, at 3 p.m. Prof B SMurthy is an Indian metallurgist who has been awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2007, the highest science award in India. Formerly, he was the Head of the Department at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras after being the Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The celebrated scientist will be demonstrating how collaborative research will steer India towards achieving its dream of being Self Reliant by innovating technology through collective wisdom.
Registration Link : https://bit.ly/srmapUDL03 (Registration Closed)
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Prof S Chandrasekhar to deliver a talk during University Distinguished Lecture 04
The fourth edition of the University Distinguished Lecture organized by SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh will be delivered by Prof S Chandrasekhar, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad. On November 21, 2020, at 3 PM, the session on “Saga of Science from 13th Century to 21st Century” will be steered by the esteemed academician. Prof S Chandrasekhar joined CSIR-IICT as Scientist C and became the director in 2015. He has made significant contributions in diverse areas of organic chemistry with a special emphasis on chiral chemistry, total synthesis of biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical products. Further, he has received several accolades including the Eminent Scientist Award for contributions in the field of Chemistry from Telangana State Government in 2017, CNR Rao National Prize for Chemical Research 2012, CSIR Technology award 2014, and Infosys prize in Chemical sciences 2014 for his contributions to synthetic organic chemistry.
Prof S Chandrasekhar has developed technologies for the synthesis of the latest anti-tuberculosis drug, bedaquiline; anti-tumor and abortive drug, misoprostol; anti-platelet molecule, beraprost; antidepressive compound, sertralin and drug for treatment of schizophrenia, asenapine. During his lecture, Prof S Chandrasekhar will frame a narrative of the knowledge explosion in terms of science and technology from the 13th to 21st century. Providing a historical perspective, he will describe the evolution of the technology base and the transformation of production and service activities.
Registration Link: https:bit.ly/srmapUDL04 (Registration Closed)
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Prof D Basavaiah to deliver insightful lecture during University Distinguished Lecture Series 05
SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh presents the fifth edition of the University Distinguished Lecture Series on November 28, 2020, at 3 PM. Prof. D. Basavaiah, INSA Senior Scientist, Professor, School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad will be addressing the audience and delivering an insightful lecture on “Philosophy of Ultimate Success in Scientific Life”. Prof D Basavaiah acquired his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University, following which he became a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA. He has a gamut of experience in science and academia sprawled over 30 years in which he worked as a Scientist C, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, after which he moved to the University of Hyderabad.
In his prolific career, Prof D Basavaiah won many accolades and awards for his contribution to science, which includes Professor T R Govindachari 60th Birthday Commemoration Endowment Award in Organic Chemistry in 1999-2000, CRSI Silver Medal in 2008, JC Bose Fellowship (DST-New Delhi) in 2008, National Best Teacher award in Chemistry in 2008 (sponsored by AV Rama Rao Research Foundation in association with IICT and AP Academy of Sciences), The Indian Science Congress Platinum Jubilee lecture award in Chemical Sciences in 2009, INSA- Professor TR Seshadri 70th Birthday Commemoration Medal in 2009, BHU Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012, and many more. Prof D Basavaiah will apply his vast understanding of science to guide the audience during the UDL 05, which will benefit academicians, faculty, and students from diverse fields.
Registration Link: https:bit.ly/srmapUDL05 (Registration Closed)
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