The Industry Readiness Webinar Series- 3

The Industry Readiness Webinar Series provides a forum for the industry experts to share their experience with the students. Through the video workshop, lecture or presentation hosted online; the Speaker uses the platform to share beneficial knowledge, ideas and updates with the stakeholders.

The purpose of the webinar series is to engage an industry expert to host a weekly seminar on a broad spectrum, about the expectations and the pedagogy required to bridge the gap between the academia and the industry on various aspects.

Our guest for the week is Mr N. Lakshminarasimhan, General Manager (HR ) at Brakes India Private Limited. Padi, Chennai and Life member in ISTD (Indian Society for Training and Development) and currently holding the position of Hon.Treasurer of Chennai chapter. He will be sharing his 30 years of experience in Technical Training, Manpower Planning & Recruitment, Employee Motivation and Talent Life Cycle Management etc. with the students. He is known for his motivational sessions on various topics (Technical/ behavioural) including press tool manufacturing, tool design, lean manufacturing, TPM, Modern manufacturing practices, Industry 4.0, Career guidance and readying for the industry at more than 125 colleges in the past 8 Years. He believes that every person has got the potential to scale greater heights, if rightly guided, coached and motivated.

The webinar series includes a wider reach and ability to share knowledge and inherent opportunities to reach out many industrial experts, thereby getting the knowledge imparted from the industry and accessing the general requirement of the industry, which may be very much useful at the time of their campus recruitment.

Dr. Lakhveer Singh on clean and affordable bioelectrofuels

“Nanoenzyme as a cutting-edge innovation that makes bioelectrofuels more affordable and efficient for sustainable future”

Dr. Lakhveer Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, publishes a paper on “Bioelectrofuel Synthesis by Nanoenzymes: Novel Alternatives to Conventional Enzyme” in the journal “Trends in Biotechnology” with an Impact factor of 13.74. The paper discusses the vital role of nanozymes to advance Bioelectrochemical cells platforms for improved bioelectrofuels generation and waste remediation. Nanozymes are nanomaterials with intrinsic enzyme-like characteristics that have gained importance over the past decade because of its capability to address the limitations of natural enzymes – low stability, high cost, and difficult storage.

Waste recycle and reuse is the need of the hour, and are the most prioritized research in the 21st century. Innovation with present-day technologies as “Bioelectrochemical cells” with a focus on waste remediation, recovery and reuse is believed to strengthen the resource security along with building a sustainable and resilient society. “In order to mitigate several challenges pertaining to the ineffectual performance of microbial catalysts in electrode frameworks, nanomaterial-based nanozymes exhibit capabilities to boost their efficiency by enhancing microbial connection and interaction with electrode surface.”, explains Dr. Lakhveer.

Mechanisms of Nanoenzyme–Microbe Interaction That Facilitate Bioelectrofuel Production

THe further says, “The application of nanoenzymes to replace natural enzymes for improved bioelectrofuel production has long been under-rated. Recent advancements in bioinspired mimetics have led to applying nanoenzymes as a favourable bifunctional or multifunctional tool to achieve large turnover frequencies and high stability in bioelectrochemical platforms. Despite a few technical impediments, nanoenzymes guarantees clean and affordable bioelectrofuels”.

For long-term operations, biocompatibility is observed to remain a challenge associated with nanoenzymes. This is because of the concurrent shape change of nanoparticles during its gradual decomposition that often alters their electrocatalytic behaviour in response to prolonged operation, thus adversely affecting the electrofuel productivity. This paves the path for the future research work of Dr. Lakhveer which will focus on the preparation of nanoenzymes based electrocatalysts with doping of plasmonic or paramagnetic noble metals. This will counter the issue of mass loading and slow down the gradual decomposition process to ensure uninterrupted bioelectrofuels supply during long-term operation.

British Safety Council applauds JMC Projects (India) Limited – SRM University AP

The green campus of SRM AP, Andhra Pradesh is in the process of expanding to ensure a place that continuously inspires and nurtures the students. The buildings foster a new culture of learning that is multi-dimensional, global, social, experiential, and interactive. Designed by Perkins + Will, the American architecture firm which specializes in educational institutions and has been involved in developing some of the marquee structures in this category, JMC Projects (India) Limited took up the monumental task of constructing the buildings of SRM AP.

British Safety Council has awarded the International Safety Award with Merit 2020 to JMC Projects (India) Limited SRM University AP, Andhra Pradesh for its commitment to keeping the workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the 2019 calendar year. The prestigious award recognizes and celebrates the organizations from around the world which have shown a true dedication to prioritizing the safety of the workers and workplaces and have made outstanding advances to achieve it. It requires organizations to invest in workers’ health, safety, and wellbeing. The business leaders, managers, and staff play a crucial role in making health and safety a reality and inspiring their colleagues to do the same.

The joint venture of JMC Projects (India) Limited and SRM AP have pledged to continue maintaining the international standard in the future.

Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan on plethora of opportunities at SRM AP

SRM AP, Andhra Pradesh brings an opportunity for the aspiring students to stay informed and ahead of their peers. Through a webinar hosted by Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan, Professor and Head of the Department, Biology & Biotechnology, Ph.D. program admission coordinator, the exceptional SLABS program of the university was highlighted. Prof. Jayaseelan introduced SRM AP through a video enunciating the faculty, research, and students. He spoke of the higher education, job, and research opportunities that a student can expect after graduating from SRM AP. “SRM AP is a research-based university located amidst the greenery accentuating its green campus.”, says Prof. Jayaseelan.

In this webinar, Prof. Jayaseelan discusses about the 10 departments of SLABS that offer various degrees including B.Sc. (Hons.) and B.A. (Hons.). In addition, 6 foundation courses are made compulsory to broaden the learning sphere of the students. The multi-disciplinary curriculum equips the students to be prepared and compatible with the industry requirements, improving their employability in the global market. Prof. Jayaseelan asserts, “Since the disciplines are blurring and blending, the unique foundation courses make our students leaders in their field”.

All the faculty of SRM AP hold Ph. D from renowned Indian and international institutes along with extensive global exposure. They provide excellent mentorship to the students in terms of higher education, research, and national/foreign internships. They also guide the students to pursue the ideal career paths.

Prof. Jayaseelan further discusses the course structure which includes 3 years of the degree course and 1 year additional for availing diploma course, if the students opt for the same. The diploma course focuses on preparing the students for a master’s program abroad. Prof. Jayaseelan informs, “We believe in strong theoretical knowledge and confidence in handling instrumentation and equipment’s is important whether it be for higher studies, finding job or to venture own ideas as a successful entrepreneur.”

SRM AP has active learning centers where 5-6 students are grouped, and the groups are urged to discuss current challenges and issues of the study field. This challenging framework nurtures the spirit of teamwork and improves the problem-solving abilities of the students. They emerge with a clear understanding of concepts as the discussions widen their knowledge base.

The webinar concluded with a question and answer session. Among 77 students who attended the session, many of them proactively inquired on basic curriculum, module, credit system, core courses, electives, and diploma course. When a student requested Prof. Jayaseelan to enlighten them on internships offered to the senior students, he explained that a student did her internship from JNCASR, a massive opportunity rarely provided to undergraduate students. Furthermore, he explained the selection process where the applicants will be called for a written test/interview. The panel evaluates the intent and analysing ability of the students instead of testing their memorizing skills. Apply Here

Prof. Jayaseelan also updates that SRM AP has training cells, Fablab, and Next Tech Lab, where the students get an edge over their peers. Along with it, students talk on nationally/internationally recognized journals during frequent colloquiums organized by SRM AP. Furthermore, the professor informs that faculty trained from MIT University is about to open another cell at SRM AP to encourage the budding entrepreneurs, where their ideas will be complemented with proper planning and direction. The SLABS program has opportunities galore in store for young minds interested in every realm.