Empowering Educators With Digital Pedagogy by Centre for Teaching Learning and Virtual Skilling

Is virtual reality teaching possible? How positive impact can digital content have on student assessment? Ahead of Teacher’s Day, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur organized a special one-day workshop to find answers to some of these questions. The Centre for Teaching Learning and Virtual Skilling (CTLVS) at IIT Kharagpur successfully conducted a one-day workshop titled “Empowering Educators With Digital Pedagogy and Technology,” on 4th September 2024. The workshop, aimed at school teachers from KVS, introduced innovative methods for enhancing teaching practices through digital tools and interactive technologies.

A total of 30 teachers from different branches of Kendriya Vidyalayas of Kolkata participated in the workshop titled ‘Empowering Educators with Digital Pedagogy and Technology’. They are taught the ins and outs of improving reading and assessment methods through technology-based teaching.

 

Apart from this, how using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality can make teaching interesting for students and how game-based learning methods can be used-these topics were also taught in the day’s workshop. Kaushal Kumar Bhagat, Assistant Professor of Advanced Technology Development Center, one of the organizers of the workshop and Vice Chairman of CTLVS, along with other officials also held a detailed discussion with the participating teachers.

After the workshop, the participating teachers reported that their participation in the program increased their understanding of the use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. It also gave students an opportunity to think about how technology can be used to make reading more interesting.

“Strategies have been taught to use realistic technology for assessment. I want to use that method in my teaching as well,” said one of the participating teachers.

When questioned why is this workshop relevant, Prof. Kaushal Kumar Bhagat said that as one of the initiatives of CTLVS, the main aim of this workshop was to teach how teachers can adapt to digital and technological changes in the education sector.

He further said, “The workshop also elaborated on the relevance of using technology in creating an appropriate learning environment. Based on the enthusiasm of the participants, it can be hoped that more teachers will be interested in digital learning in the future.”


Key topics covered during the workshop included:

Digital Pedagogy: Integrating technology to foster more engaging teaching methods.

Assessment and Evaluation: Using digital tools to improve student assessment processes.

Interactive Technologies like AR/VR: Exploring immersive learning experiences through Augmented and Virtual Reality.

Game-based Learning: Engaging students through gamification techniques.

Participants praised the workshop, calling it very informative and useful and emphasizing its practicality in today’s classrooms. One participant noted, “The AR/VR demonstration was eye-opening and gave us fresh ideas on how to engage students.” Another participant said, “The digital tools for assessment were very practical and something I can start using immediately in my own teaching.”

The workshop is part of a broader initiative by CTLVS to support educators in adapting to digital transformations in education and creating more interactive and immersive learning environments.


Media Coverage:

Anandabazar Patrika 

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Prof. Amit Patra is appointed the new Director of IIT BHU (Varanasi) by Ministry of Education

If your  actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. A successful leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that the impact lasts in your absence by unlocking people’s potential to become better. A greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the great things, he is the one that gets the people to do the great things.  Today, IIT Kharagpur celebrates one such leader that the institute is proud of. Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director of IIT Kharagpur has recently been appointed as the Director, IIT BHU (Varanasi) by the Ministry of Education. An Electrical Engineer with an academic career spanning over 35 years, his soulful voice echoes at every joyous and momentous occasions in the institute as an ardent music lover.

Prof. Amit Patra  received his B.Tech, M. Tech. and PhD degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1984, 1986 and 1990 respectively. During 1992-93 and in 2000, he visited the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany as a Post-Doctoral Fellow of the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur in 1987 as a faculty member. During 2018-19 he visited the University of Maryland, Baltimore County as a Senior Visiting Research Scientist and has been serving as an Honorary Adjunct Professor. He also served many administrative positions as the Dean of Alumni Affairs and International Relations between 2007 and 2013 and was the Professor-In-Charge, Advanced VLSI Design Lab at IIT Kharagpur during 2004-07.

His current research interests include power management circuits, mixed-signal VLSI design, battery management systems, diagnostics and prognostics in industrial and biomedical systems. As the Professor-In-Charge of the Advanced VLSI Design Laboratory he was instrumental in expanding the chip design activity of the laboratory and also setting up an advanced test facility. During his tenure, the laboratory received a funding of about USD 1 Million from major multinational corporations like National Semiconductor, Intel, Synopsys etc. He took a major initiative to create a consortium of leading VLSI companies to support the chip design and CAD activity of the laboratory. More than a dozen companies including National Semiconductor, Texas Instruments, Agilent Technologies, Sun Microsystems, Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys Inc., Infineon Technologies, etc. joined this consortium. He has filed about a dozen patents and has a granted patent in his name and has carried out more than 45 sponsored projects mostly in the areas of VLSI and power management circuits and control systems. He has collaborated with National Semiconductor Corporation, Infineon Technologies, Freescale Semiconductor, Maxim Corporation, NXP Semiconductor and a few start-up companies in the Power Management area. In the area of control systems he has worked with ISRO, DRDO, ADE, ADA, General Motors and Tata Motors.

Prof. Patra received the Young Engineer Award of the Indian National Academy of Engineering in 1996 and the Young Teachers Career Award from the All India Council for Technical Education in 1995 along with the Samsung Innovation Award. A Young Associate of the Indian Academy of Sciences during 1992-97, he is a member of IEEE (USA), Institution of Engineers (India) and a life member of the Systems Society of India. Prof. Patra has recently been listed as one the top contributors of engineering publications in the country by a DST-conducted survey spanning the period 2002-2014.


B
y: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated infrastructural development projects worth Rs. 230 crores to IIT Kharagpur virtually

Under the able leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, IIT Kharagpur witnessed the testimony towards the road that leads to a Vikshit Bharat @2047, the vision of a Sashakt Bharat. Today Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the Nation the Infrastructure Development Projects worth about Rs. 230 crores at IIT Kharagpur in the august presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office; Shri Manoj Sinha,  Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir along with other ministers and members of parliament through video conferencing. Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education graced the event physically on 20th February, 2024 in the Netaji Auditorium of the institute in the presence of Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur; Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director, IIT Kharagpur and Captain Amit Jain (Retd.), Registrar, IIT Kharagpur along with other senior professors, staffs and students of the institute.

In a significant step towards upgrading and developing education and skilling infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and lay the foundation stone of several projects worth about Rs 32000 crores. The projects include permanent campuses for different IITs, Indian Institute of Skills (IIS), and campuses of Central  and Higher Education Universities.

Gracing the above occasion at IIT Kharagpur, Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education, Government of India stated, “Our Prime Minister is very keen on Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Abhiyaan. Today, our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji will be inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of multiple development projects with over Rs. 32,000 crores across the country. India has undergone a major transformation in the past year in every sector under the able guidance of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. It is fitting to acknowledge the achievements made under his visionary leadership specially in an institution specially known for its  contribution towards education and innovation. Over the past 10 years, our nation has undergone a remarkable transformation marked by steadfast commitment to inclusive, progressive and sustainable development. The successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the south pole of the moon stands as a testament to our technological power, poise and ambition to explore new frontiers.

The Infrastructure development projects at IIT Kharagpur comprises two Girls’ Hostel named Savitri Bai Phule Halls of Residence (with 500 capacity each); one Boys Hostel named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall of Residence (500 capacity) and one Annexe building of the Chemical Engineering Department at IIT Kharagpur.

“I would like to mention that IIT Kharagpur has produced one of the best scientific minds of India who has significantly contributed to the Indian Space Centre, Dr. K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman of ISRO under whose leadership the historic Mangalyaan Mission was successfully carried out. Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of a nation’s cloth and development. It empowers individuals with knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities essential for innovation, productivity and also socio-economic progress. A well educated populist not only drives economic prosperity but also fosters social cohesion, democracy and a global competitiveness making investment in education a corner stone of sustainable development for any country. The Indian education landscape has undergone a major transformation in the past ticket. National Education Policy 2020 was introduced to revise and revamp all aspects of the education structure including its regulation and governance with a new system aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st century education including Sustainable Development Goal-4 (SDG 4) while building on India’s tradition and value systems. The number of university level institutions has increased to 1168 in 2021-22 from 760 universities in 2014-15. With a total of 408 institutions added in the last 10 years, additionally 41 new higher education institutions have been established which includes 7 new central universities, 7 new IITs and 8 new IIMs.”

The Savitri Bai Phulle Halls of Residence for Girls (GH-1 & GH-2) is a Single-seater, air-conditioned accommodation for 500 girls in each hostel. The building is designed as per 3-star TERI GRIHA or LEED-Gold star or IGBC- Gold star rating standards. Built at a cost of approx. 123 crores, the building complies with the guidelines of the Accessible India campaign and with a barrier-free building. It has Central air conditioning, Solar water heating system, Solar PV Generation system, Fire Fighting and alarm system, LAN, CCTV, IBMS, Lifts etc. A dual plumbing system is provided with treated STP water to be used for toilet flushing.

“Under the concept of Vikshit Bharat, the concept of Narishakti emerges as a foundational pillar which signifies our commitment towards empowering women and ensuring their integral role in shaping our nation’s future. Female enrollment in higher education has increased by 28% with girls and women constituting 43% of enrollment in STEM courses, one of the highest percentage globally, ” said MoS Dr. Sarkar.

The Hostel Building also includes the following facilities like Library and Reading room; Music Room and Interaction room; Reception and Visitors Lounge; Dining and kitchen; Shops, Gymnasium; Indoor Games, Cycle Track; Cycle Shed; Car Parking, Washing and drying facilities; Garbage chute for effective waste management.

“The role of the IITs in shaping India’s technological landscape cannot be overstated. Among them, IIT Kharagpur holds a special place with its graduates and alumni consistently making significant contributions to our nation’s progress. We are proud of the endeavours of all our IIT alumni who carry the brand of India with distinction where ever they go, one shining example being Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google who is an esteemed alumni of IIT Kharagpur. Their achievement underscore the enduring legacy of excellence that defines the IITs and their crucial role in building a brighter future of India,” remarked Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Halls of Residence for Boys (BH-1) is a Single seater, air-conditioned accommodation for 500 boys. The Building is designed as per 3-star TERI GRIHA or LEED-Gold star or IGBC-Gold star rating standards and complies with the guidelines of the Accessible India campaign with a provision for barrier-free building. Built at a cost of approx. 62 crores, it has Central air conditioning, Solar water heating system, Solar PV General system, Fire Fighting and alarm system, LAN, CCTV, IBMS, Lifts etc. A dual plumbing system is provided with treated STP water to be used in toilet flushing.

The Hostel Building also includes the following facilities like Hostel Building which includes Library and Reading room; Music Room and Interaction room; Reception and Visitors Lounge; Dining and kitchen; Shops; Gymnasium; Indoor Games; Cycle Track; Cycle Shed and Car Parking.

I would congratulate IIT Kharagpur in its new infrastructure and its remarkable strides it has made in nurturing some of the brightest minds in the country. I believe the student community at IIT Kharagpur will play a pivotal role in nation building and contributing to the realization of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of a Vikshit Bharat 2047, added Dr. Sarkar

The Annex building of the Chemical Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur is a G +3 building with centralized air conditioning system. Built at a cost of approx. 45 Crore, it has a plinth area of 7458 square meters that  houses undergraduate, postgraduate, and research laboratories for Chemical Reaction Engineering, Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Mechanical Operations, Process Instrumentation and Control, Industrial Pollution Control, Multi-Phase Flow, mCFD, Crystallization, Energy Conversion and Storage, Catalysis, Particle Technology, Ultrafast Cooling, Rheology. It has a common advanced computing laboratory for 300 students at a time and has departmental research facilities with high-end sophisticated analytical instruments like Chemisorption, GC- MS, Mercury Analyzer, ICP-MS, TGA-MS, BET Surface Area Analyzer, conference & meeting rooms, faculty rooms, and classrooms.

Watch the address of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YflWJMbKjPM

Watch the address of Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education live:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LUNxLsdM5sKqgq_4veQ1aoTwOPbQqExf?usp=sharing

Media Coverage:

Times of India News 18 Bangla Akashvani Sangbad Kolkata
Telegraph The Bengal Post Dainik Jagran
Fast News Data Quest Amader Bharat

Times of India                                                                                    Telegraph


B
y: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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Effective Roadmap on Speed Management Policy for Safer Roads

The civil engineering department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, along with Paribahan Bhawan, transport department headquarters on R N Mukherjee Road, launched a study document on policy interventions and roadmap for effective implementations of speed management in the city and districts in a programme scheduled on 9th January 2024.

Transport Minister Snehashis Chakraborty; State Transport Secretary Saumitra Mohan; Director-Transport; Secretary -School Education; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic)-Kolkata Traffic Police; Inspector General of Police- West Bengal Police; Regional Officer-National Highways Authority of India; Joint Secretary-Urban Development; other dignitaries and Prof. Bhargab Maitra of IIT Kharagpur launched the document. After a thorough study of more than two years since 2022, the IIT Kharagpur has prepared the roadmap making recommendations on maximum speed limits of vehicles plying on different National Highways (NHs), state highways (SHs), and other roads under local administrations in the state.

For the first time, the state transport department is all set to limit maximum speed of vehicles plying across the state to prevent an increase in the number of deaths caused by road accidents.

“The state transport department has accepted our document and roadmap on how to prevent road accidents and deaths in our state. The purpose of this move is to communicate the idea of prevention and control speed so that the number of accidents comes down. Common people will get benefits once recommendations made by us are implemented by the state government,” added Prof. Bhargab Moitra, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and  transport specialist who was the lead expert of the study.

The document revealed that speeding vehicles are the single largest cause of road accidents in the state, which records 6,000 deaths every year on an average. The state also ranks 11 in terms of deaths caused by fatal road accidents in the country that comes in the top in the world considering the highest number of 450 deaths daily.

It also threw light on how speed and accident fatality are scientifically inter-related. For instance, maximum speed for a motor vehicle should not cross 30 kmph in roads close to markets, schools, hospitals etc., and have capped the speed limits for all vehicles at 50km/hr on major arterial roads, where pedestrians, two-wheeler-riders and non-mechanized transport are largely protected or segregated from motorized and speedier modes of traffic.

On a separate segment of urban roads, which does not require a speed limit of 30 km/hr but does not qualify for 50 km/hr speed limits either. Vehicles can be allowed 40 km/hr, the document states that for long, elevated corridors or at-grade segments, where there is no pedestrian or bicyclist, no roadside friction no buses and trucks, and where two-wheelers are separated a higher speed limit may be accepted for cars and similar light vehicles. But the speed for two-wheelers should be restricted to not beyond 50 km/hr said the document, which is largely applicable for urban roads.

“The safe speed limit is also a function of traffic volume and therefore, might be lower under high volume to capacity ratio, the experts have argued stating why two separate maximum speed regimes can be followed. Under some extreme conditions, the safe speed limit might be even lower than that recommended in front of schools, “Therefore, drivers must apply their discretion and bring down the speed under such conditions,” said Prof. Maitra.

The report also talks of faulty use of traffic tools in front of schools and why it is necessary to use scientific and why it is necessary to use scientific and modern road designs in front of school gates. “Several speed management and traffic calming measures across all types of roads such as speed breakers and rumble strips which are already existing are inappropriate in many ways and are not effective and in many cases are acting as safety hazards. To determine their appropriateness in terms of suitability, design, and placement, extensive audit of the existing speed management and traffic-calming measures is very necessary. This is all the more true for roads in front of schools,” said an expert.

“Besides speed limits, modifications in infrastructure plan and design features should be used to produce a ‘self-explaining road’. Road development authority should be continuously involved in improving the road engineering aspects to make the roads safer in the schools,” the note states. The document reportedly also stressed on the use of speed governors on all vehicles carrying school students.

Speed limits in roads where pedestrians are not protected properly should also be restricted strongly by law enforcing authorities. There should be highend electronic-based evidence systems to monitor speed limits so that police can take proper action against speeding vehicles, the document recommends. Police personnel should be more responsible to take strong actions against speeding vehicles after verifying electronic-based evidence.

In 2022, the share of road crash fatalities due to speeding in the state is found to be 32.3%. Around 70% of the fatalities include pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, who share the same road space as high-speed vehicles effective speed management becomes a matter of necessity as a means of reducing road crashes and fatalities, were shared in the document.

Media Coverage:

Times of India Telegraph Statesman
Millennium Post News 18 ETV Bharat
Ananda Bazar Patrika    

Follow up articles:

  • Times of India –  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/iit-study-recommends-lower-vehicle-speed-in-school-zones-during-opening-hours/articleshow/106745023.cms
  • Statesman – https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/safe-corridors-to-minimise-road-accidents-1503258034.html

Study By : Prof. Bhargab Maitra, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
Email: bhargab@civil.iitkgp.ac.in

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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‘Our classes were held where freedom fighters were locked up,’ says Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel, Alumnus of the First Batch at IIT KGP

Mr. Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel, Former Member of the Railway Board and an Electrical Engineering Alumnus (1951-55) of IIT Kharagpur, shares some interesting anecdotes about the faculty and how IIT Kharagpur took special tutorials of students who appeared in Class 12 exams from different boards or syllabi. The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur was established in 1951 and is the oldest among all the IITs in the country. As the institute was set up in the Hijli detention camp of West Bengal, it has a link with the freedom fighters of India.

“We mostly had classes in the old Hijli Central Jail building during the first two years. A big hangar inside the compound served as the workshop. Our staff, some of whom had served in the prison administration as Jailers, mentioned that our classrooms were the rooms where prisoners who were great freedom fighters were locked up, and some were tortured and later died,” remarked the Alum.

To bolster the country’s growth and make it self-reliant, the government started establishing IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. Like other IITs, the classes of the first batch commenced on a half-constructed campus.

“Since our hostel, Patel Hall, was half ready when the first year started, we had to share rooms. Interestingly, as there were differences in syllabus levels in different universities at intermediate science where students took admission, tutorials of Math and English were organised after dinner in the hostel for the first two terms of the first year,” Patel said.

“The initial struggles and our saviour”

IIT Kharagpur campus was spread over 2100 acres in the vast tree-laden campus. Along with a tough syllabus, the initial batches had to struggle with wildlife. “There were snakes around the hostel under construction and our beloved director Dr. J C Ghosh, also a famed Indian scientist, ordered the cutting of drains around and spraying of carbolic acid. The humane and kind approach of Dr. J C Ghosh made us withstand many hardships. In the third year, we moved to the classes in the new building,” he said.

Dr. J C Ghosh left IIT in the third year to join as the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. A student delegation from IIT met Dr. B. C. Roy the then Chief Minister of West Bengal to plead with him the need for continuing Dr. J C Ghosh, revered as a father figure by the students. Dr. B C Roy is stated to have quipped, “We will send another father figure to you.”

Dr. B R Sengupta, Principal of Shibpur Engineering College, was appointed as the next director for IIT Kharagpur. As per Patel, Dr. Sen Gupta was a strict disciplinarian and a stickler for targets.

Despite being the first batch, the students, were fortunate to have the best faculty possible. “Dr. Krause Mechanical Engineering, Prof Malonowsky, Production Technology (UNESCO support) on the mechanical side and Prof. Keshav Murthy, Prof Srinivasan, Dr. Menon gave us deep insights into Electrical Engineering. They took us to much higher heights in the subjects that I could see the difference in when I joined DVC as an assistant engineer in the Maithon Hydel Project after college in 1955 and Indian Railways in early 1957,” Patel informed.

iit newsFirst convocation at IIT-Kharagpur. The first batch is sitting with the then PM Nehru.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) was established in 1951 and is the oldest among all the IITs in the country. As the institute was set up in the Hijli detention camp of West Bengal, it has a link with the freedom fighters of India.

An electrical engineering (1951-55) alumnus, Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel (former member of the Railway Board) shares some interesting anecdotes about the faculty and how IIT-Kharagpur took special tutorials of students who appeared in Class 12 exams from different boards or syllabi.

“We mostly had classes in the old Hijlee Central Jail building in the first two years. A big hangar inside the compound served as the workshop. Our staff, some of whom had served in the prison administration as jailors, mentioned that our classrooms were the rooms where prisoners (many great freedom fighters) were locked up, and some were tortured and later died,” he told.

To bolster the country’s growth and make it self-reliant, the government started establishing IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. Like other IITs, the classes of the first batch commenced on a half-constructed campus.

“Since our hostel, Patel Hall, was half ready when the first year started, we had to share rooms. Interestingly, as there were differences in syllabus levels in different universities at intermediate science where students took admission, tutorials of Math and English were organised after dinner in the hostel for the first two terms of the first year,” Patel said.

The initial struggles and our saviour

IIT Kharagpur campus was spread over 2100 acres in the vast tree-laden campus. Along with a tough syllabus, the initial batches had to struggle with wildlife. “There were snakes around the hostel under construction and our beloved director Dr JC Ghosh, also a famed Indian scientist, ordered the cutting of drains around and spraying of carbolic acid. The humane and kind approach of Dr JC Ghosh made us withstand many hardships. In the third year, we moved to the classes in the new building,” he said.

DR JC Ghosh left IIT in the third year to join as the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. A student delegation from IIT met Dr BC Roy the then chief minister of West Bengal to plead with him the need for continuing Dr JC Ghosh, revered as a father figure by the students. DR BC Roy is stated to have quipped: “We will send another father figure to you.”

iit kharagpur photosAn old photo of IIT-Kharagpur

DR BR Sengupta, principal of Shibpur Engineering College was appointed as the next director for IIT Kharagpur. As per Patel, Dr Sen Gupta was a strict disciplinarian and a stickler for targets.

Despite being the first batch, the students, as per Patel, were fortunate to have the best faculty possible. “Dr Krause Mech Engg, Prof Malonowsky, Production Technology (UNESCO support) on the mechanical side and Prof Keshav Murthy, Prof Srinivasan, Dr Menon gave us deep insights into electrical engineering. They took us to much higher heights in the subjects that I could see the difference in when I joined DVC as an assistant engineer in the Maithon Hydel Project after college in 1955 and Indian Railways in early 1957,” Patel informed.

‘IITs should consider dual degree programmes’

These days, IITs are coming up with courses to skill up their students. In IIT Kharagpur, however, this has been introduced in the initial years. “One noteworthy feature of the course was the attempt to include Humanities in the course and we had the benefit of Business Management courses in two terms by Prof Nanjundiah. If IIT had allowed more courses in business administration, it would have sent the right mix of engineer managers to the industry,” Patel added.

On the issue of regular engineers drifting from core subjects to computer sciences, he said the problem is similar to losing engineering graduates seeking IIM post graduate pursuit “sometimes ending up selling cigarettes and soaps with lucrative emoluments.”

“One way would be to send out core engineers with a Diploma in Computer Sciences as well, IITs may consider shifting to dual degree programmes. AIIMS Delhi has already set up a strong IT department recognising the importance of IT in genetics health care,” he said.

An Indian Express Exclusive Story

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-kharagpurs-first-batch-our-classes-were-held-in-where-freedom-fighters-were-locked-up-jeemain-2024-advanced-8969298/

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Empowering Educators and Fostering Scientific Growth on Molecular Biology in Rural Areas

Rural Science Education Training Utility Program (RuSETUP) Workshop on Molecular Biology Techniques in Rural Areas

In the pursuit of promoting basic scientific knowledge in molecular biology and enhancing the educational landscape in rural West Bengal, India, a workshop on, “Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” was successfully conducted on the 6th and 7th of October 2023 jointly by School of Medical Science and Technology (SMST), IIT Kharagpur and Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) under the banner of INYAS’ flagship event “Rural Science Education Training Utility Program’ (RuSETUP).

This endeavor was led by Dr. Budhaditya Mukherjee and Dr. Nishant Chakravorty, faculty members of SMST and Members of INYAS and supported by all INYAS East Zone members. The workshop was attended by 14 college teachers hailing from various institutions of Paschim Medinipur, including Hijli College, Kharagpur College, Medinipur College, K.D. College of Commerce and General Studies, and Vidyasagar Institute of Health.

The RuSETUP workshop was designed to address a pressing issue in rural education – the lack of access to cutting-edge knowledge and technologies in molecular biology. In an era where this field rapidly evolves and impacts diverse sectors such as biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture, it is imperative that educators are equipped with the latest insights and tools. Recognizing this, the workshop comprised a meticulously crafted agenda, blending theory and hands-on training, ensuring that participants gained practical experience in essential molecular biology techniques.

The workshop was inaugurated with motivating words by Dr. Rajendra Singh Dhaka, Chair, INYAS and Prof. Soumen Das, Chairperson, SMST & Officiating Dean, BCRMMRC. The events encompassed a series of enriching activities, including engaging lectures and hands-on training by SMST faculty and student volunteers Shatarupa Bhattacharya, Debolina Manna, Supratim Pradhan, Souradipa Ghosh, Subhangi Chakraborty and Mandrita Mukherjee.

The core of the workshop was in the hands-on training sessions. Participants actively engaged in practices like Plasmid DNA isolation, Genomic DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Agarose gel electrophoresis. These skills are pivotal for scientific exploration and were tailored to empower college teachers with the practical knowledge to enrich their teaching methods. Dr. Praphulla Chandra Shukla, Assistant Professor, SMST concluded the proceedings of the workshop on the second day. The participants highly valued the workshop and expressed a strong desire for additional workshops. They also requested opportunities for students from rural colleges to directly participate in events like these.

The impacts of this workshop reach far beyond its immediate audience. By equipping these dedicated educators with advanced molecular biology techniques, RuSETUP ensures a ripple effect, ultimately benefitting the students they teach. As they return to their respective colleges, they will be armed with the latest knowledge and practical skills, thereby enhancing the quality of science education in rural areas.

By nurturing an interest in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture at the grassroots level, RuSETUP indirectly contributes to the development of the entire region. This growth not only creates a knowledgeable workforce but also ignites the spark of curiosity in the young minds, encouraging them to pursue higher studies and research in these critical domains.

This RuSETUP workshop on,”Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” marks a success in the realm of rural science education and exemplifies the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision to uplift educational standards in underserved communities. The event has illuminated a path towards a brighter, more scientifically enriched future for all.

 

Inputs by: Prof. Nishant Chakravorty, School of Medical Science &Technology, IIT Kharagpur
Email : nishant@smst.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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IIT Kharagpur gets a New Website

 

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur gets a new website. From the previous version of Beta IIT KGP, this newly launched website is much more interactive and visually more attractive, aligned with respective up-to-date data representation. Prof. V K Tewari, Director along with Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director; Shri Tamal Nath, Outgoing Registrar; Prof. Prabir Kumar Biswas, Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering and Prof. Pralay Mitra, Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur inaugurated the new website. Prof. Joy Sen, Chairman, Indian Knowledge System, IIT Kharagpur was the convener of the inauguration ceremony.

“There was a need for a new website that will provide the information in a more integrated manner following international standards of information dissemination. I congratulate the entire team of Computer Informatics Centre for their sincere efforts,” said Prof. Tewari.

Prof. Patra requested all the stakeholders of the institute to come forward and to share information and requisite data that will serve the purpose of  a compact and inclusive official platform. Prof. Mitra highlighted the new aspects of the websites that differentiates it from the old website and how in terms of a platform, the new website serves the purpose of being adaptable to different mediums of communication. He also mentioned that the website will have a bilingual approach and will also be translated in Hindi giving prominence to our official language.

What’s new?

1. The new website is mobile-friendly.

2. It is categorized based on users like students, faculty and staff, administration, outreach and alumni affairs, visitors, and jobs; and based on activities like academics, admissions, research, and industry.

3. The emphasis is given more on students – one dedicated page filled with all academic information. One FAQ link to assist in finding the query is provided.

4. The admission page is classified into UG/PG/Ph.D. and Postdoc sections that contain necessary details not only for current students but for prospective students too.

5. Both the student and admission page is presented using pictogram, thus making it spectacular.

6. Emphasis is given to reaching content with minimum mouse clicks. The sitemap of the website has been redesigned for this purpose.

7. A dedicated administration page having contact details and designation of all the staff members have also been provided.

8. A separate outreach and alumni page contains a link to the Alumni website, Continuing Education, and International Relations, along with the       link to student body-maintained websites like International Relations Cell, Students Alumni Cell, and Branding and Relations Cell.

9. Institute Honours Page with the photographs of the dignitaries with their information has also been uploaded.

10. The new website is secured by HTTPS.

11.  The main page in the new website can sync-in (upload) audio-visual videos making it more attractive and interactive.

12. On the landing page of the website, a synergy between the website and the real-time social media posts in Facebook and Twitter has been created for an overall inclusive impact of the latest happenings in the institute.

13. Also, a real-time update on the statistics of the students, faculty, staff, projects, and visitor count is updated dynamically.

14. The footer section has been reduced in size following the feedback from the stakeholders.

15. Faculty and staff search has been inclusively integrated. Previously it was only “Faculty Search”.

16. The new version of the website is fetching data from the in-house ERP which is unique.

Click on the link below to visit the new website and give your suggestions for further upgradation.
https://www.iitkgp.ac.in/index?lang=en

Inputs By : Prof. Pralay Mitra, Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
Email: pralay@cse.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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A happy soul, a fresh mind and a healthy body are achieved through Yoga – International Day of Yoga 2023

IIT KGP celebrates Yoga Mahotsav to commemorate the 9th International Yoga Day (IDY 2023)

You cannot always control what goes on outside but you can always control what goes on inside. Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. Yoga teaches you how to listen to your body and makes us find the peace that lies within us. Through Practice comes Yoga, through Yoga comes Knowledge, through Knowledge comes Enlightenment and through Enlightenment comes Peace.

Technology Students’ Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur in commemoration of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, ‘FIT India Movement’ and ‘Jan Bhagidari’ in India’s G20 Presidency, scheduled a series of Yoga activities- A ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ for the students and the campus community from 3rd June to 21st June 2023. Experts from Technology Students’ Gymkhana (TSG) has conducted Yoga sessions on a regular basis during weekdays with a focus on specific topic each day. The session on weekend has been conducted by renowned experts from other organizations. A total of 790 members registered for the events.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. V. K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur in the presence of Prof. A. K Singh, President, TSG, Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, Coordinator, Yoga Mahotsav & ISY, Prof. K. Bhattacharyya, Treasurer, Gymkhana and Other Invited Guests, Faculty Members, Staff Members and Students. Prof. Virendra Kumar Tewari, Director IIT Kharagpur, who has given inaugural speech on Benefits of Routine Yoga Practice and motivated the campus community to perform yogic activities on a regular basis. Prof. Ajay Singh, President, Technology Students’ Gymkhana has enlightened campus community in line with Jan Bhagidari during India’s G20 Presidency. Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, coordinator of Yoga Mahotsav and 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) explained about the Objectives of 9th International Day of Yoga, that includes: branding India, awareness, good health and well-being, scale up the level, pool the resources and joint efforts.

The event was live telecast for the campus community and students, so that they can participate from their place of residence. Caps were distributed to motivate and encourage routine practice of the learned methods. In the afternoon, quiz on Yoga and Yoga competitions were conducted for campus school children and campus community.

Programs like Introduction to Yoga, Yoga Protocol Practices and Workout, Stay Fit with Gentle Hatha Yoga, Power Vinyasa (Immunity Booster), Iyengar Yoga were conducted. Lecture on Stress Management and Meditation Practices, Yogic Life of SAMANVIT Yoga that comprises breathing and asanas, S Vyasa – The Inner Engineering and Yoga practices for body and mind were also conducted along with Yoga to cure postural deformity and physical development through Yoga. Yoga Quiz for campus school children and Yoga IDY theme poster presentation were also organized on 21st June, 2023.

On this profound day of yogic rejuvenation, Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “The foundations of IIT Kharagpur rests on the eternal motto of ‘Yoga Karmashu Kaushalam’ from the Gita. It means that the individual interests behind any action which is either driven by material success or failure must be transformed to a higher and universal process of Yoga i.e., a communion between the self of an individual with the web of self in all, the Cosmos itself. As the Mother of all IIT system, spread over the lush-green ‘Gurukul’ ambiance of a campus, neither close to nor away from a big city, IIT Kharagpur brings under one fold the ancient and the modern in unison. As the pioneering pace setter of science and technology, IIT Kharagpur preaches the journey of the self, through the self, to the self that can be achieved by the sound balance of inquisitive mind and an active body.”

More than 250 members practiced different forms of yoga regularly along with trainers from Gymkhana and invited Experts. On 21st June 2023, the 9th International Day of Yoga around 400 members have participated and practiced Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) demonstrated by Mr. Sudhir Kumar & Miss Sangita Mondal.

Prof. A K Singh, President, Technology Students’ Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur, “Being an Institute of National Importance and the mother of all IIT system in India, IIT Kharagpur works in a very distinguished manner to promote health and fitness among the faculty members and the students of the Institute. Technology Students’ Gymkhana is in the process of setting up structured processes to identify, facilitate and develop talent (Sports, Health & Fitness) with involvement of all stakeholders.”

Inputs from : Prof. A K Singh, President TSG, IIT Kharagpur & Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, Coordinator of Yoga Mahotsav, IIT Kharagpur
Email : singh@phy.iitkgp.ac.in and jayanta@che.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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Action Research Project for Ladies’ Toilet Facility by Mr. Mukul Khandelia & Prof. Somnath Ghosal

IIT KGP Foundation extend their hand to develop health and hygiene facilities for Gopali IM High School, Kharagpur

Just imagine going through your day without access to clean water and a toilet. This is a harsh reality that millions of Indian women face every day. The lack of proper sanitation and hygiene facilities for women in India is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed with immediate effect. Improving access to clean sanitation and providing adequate hygiene facilities in schools and workplaces will empower women and promote gender equality in respective areas of concern. In modern India, where women are driving the workforce by increasingly participating and striving for economic independence, the lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, clean water, and improper feminine hygiene is a hindrance to their growth. Not only does it affect their capability to develop, but also limit their ability to fully participate in society by increasing the rate of female dropouts from school. 

Proper toilet facilities are essential for the schools especially when we are still suffering from the abrasive effects of the pandemic. Unfortunately in India, many schools lack the adequate and safe toilets for their students. The Rural Development Centre at IIT Kharagpur conducted a survey at Gopali IM High School near Kolkata to assess the toilet facilities available for students. The survey found several critical issues that require immediate attention to ensure that students have access to safe and hygienic toilets. One of the most significant concern is the lack of toilet facilities for girls. This is a great concern for healthcare and education of the young girls as many girls tend to miss schools due to mensuration. Unfortunately many schools lack proper menstrual hygiene facilities including clean and private places for changing sanitary pads and disposal of used pads.

Funded by US-based IIT Kharagpur Alumnus Mukul Khandelia (B.Tech/CS/1998/Azad), Dr. Somnath Ghosal, Centre for Rural Development & Innovative Sustainable Technology initiated the “Ladies Toilet Project” which stood out as an example towards changing the narrative of societal development in terms of health and hygiene. The objective of the Ladies Toilet Project, according to Dr. Ghoshal, is to build a hygienic toilet facility at one of the co-educational higher secondary schools, located in rural West Medinipur district, to address the issues of school dropouts for female students.

One of the high school student of the Gopali IM High School said, “At the time of periods when I was in school, I really had a tough time. After listening to my problems and many requests the school allowed me to go home as there was no other option. I was in a lot of pain which is why I want the school to take some actions which will make things better for all the girls.”

The student reported the lack of privacy due to the toilets location near the entry gate leading to discomfort and embarrassment for those who use it. Exposure to elements was also the another issue as the toilet lacked the roof, making it difficult to use it rainy or hot weather. Safety and privacy concerns were also prevalent as the open location can lead to harassment and assault. The toilet’s poor construction quality, inadequate ventilation insufficient lightening and unstable structures pose safety risks to the students. Additionally students with disabilities and mobility impairments face challenges with the lack of accessibility such as the absence of ramps, grab bars and other assistive devices. The toilets also lacked basic amenities like tap water, soap and hand sanitizer impacting health and hygiene of the students. Moreover limited availability of toilets led to long waiting times and over crowding particularly during peak periods like recess or lunch time.

The lack of proper sanitation facilities including running water also contributed to unhygienic toilets due to poor maintenance and irregular cleaning. Girls faced further issues from inadequate menstrual hygiene management facilities leading to social stigma  around using the toilets with many girls avoiding them all together. After the survey, it was found that the Gopali IM High School is in critical need of improving their toilet facilities to ensure the safety privacy and hygiene of their students. It also highlighted the need for awareness and education around proper hygiene and sanitation practices in schools.

Prof. Somnath Ghoshal
Centre for Rural Development & Innovative Sustainable Technology
IIT Kharagpur

Through this project we are trying develop girls toilet facility at Gopali IM High School to address two important issues – One is to reduce girls’ student drop-out rate from class 7 onwards and two is to increase girls’ student daily school attendance throughout the year. With the help of generous funding from Khandelia family, the Center for Rural Development and Sustainable Technology (CRDIST) at IIT Kharagpur initiated a project to improve the girls’ toilet facilities at the school. In this documentary, we showcase our baseline survey results, the challenges we faced during the initiation of the project, and the expected transformative impact of our efforts. Join us, as we demonstrate the power of Action Research Project in addressing critical social issues, like health and hygiene. We would like to propagate such initiatives more at the rural level if we get some more national and international endowment,” said Dr. Somnath Ghoshal, Assistant Professor, Centre for Rural Development and Innovative Sustainable Technology.

In West Medinipur district of West Bengal where IIT Kharagpur is located, there are 438 co-educational high schools of which 115 are girls high schools. Out of these high schools, 73 schools are located in rural areas and 42 schools are based in municipal areas. Presently, the total number of female students in higher secondary schools are more than two lakhs fifty thousand in this district. The percentage of enrolled female students (13-19 years age-group), out of the total female population of the same age group is 82 percent of the district.

Mr. Mukul Khandelia
Alumnus
B.Tech, Computer Science,1998
IIT Kharagpur

“Thanks to IIT KGP foundation, I feel privileged to be a part of this initiative which promotes the causes of women’s health and education empowering women to shape India’s future,” remarked prominent donor and KGP Alumnus Mr. Mukul Khandelia, B.Tech, Computer Science, IIT Kharagpur. Mr. Khandelia has previously established the Aruna & Ram Gopal Khandelia Innovation Award in his parent’s name at IIT KGP that supports student groups to do innovative projects related to the field of Electronic Product Design (both software and hardware).

As an initial pilot project, Prof. Ghoshal is setting up a modern toilet facility at the Gopali Indranarayan Memorial High School (H.S) which was founded in 1972. There are a total of 750 students at the school of which 370 are girls. Because of a lack of funds, the school has not been able to provide proper toilet facilities to the girls who are always at risk of getting sick due to poor hygiene.

According to the Head of the School, “The adolescent girl students at their specific periodic cycle in a month generally remain absent due to unavailability of proper toilet facilities. This has been a regular problem regarding attendance of girl students every month.”

The socio-economic condition in rural areas of the district are in dire need of financial aid since there are limited livelihood opportunities. Schools located in rural areas are being operated with inadequate and outdated infrastructures including toilets. As a result, the rate of school dropouts, particularly for female students, increases from primary to upper primary and secondary levels. The primary reasons behind this increasing school dropouts for female students are a lack of transport facilities and the deficiency in terms of hygienic toilet facilities.

The need of the hour in terms of hygiene and healthcare for women in India is to improve access to basic sanitation facilities that includes investing in infrastructure such as toilets and water wells, as well as education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene along with providing menstrual hygiene management facilities in schools. Other important steps include increasing the number of trained healthcare providers, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, to ensure that women have access to the healthcare they need. Improving the availability and affordability of essential medicines and supplies can also help to ensure that certain conditions are treated at the early stage of treatment. Improvement in basic hygiene and healthcare is necessary to empower women by creating awareness and educating a girl child about correct hygienic measures is the only way to change the attitude of the society towards basic healthcare and hygiene. 

Join us on a journey to Gopali I M High School, Kharagpur where we uncover the harsh realities of inadequate sanitation facilities and security issues. Watch this short video about the Ladies Toilet Project produced by Prof. Ghoshal and his team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2f5CUvAdaQ.

The survey team of the Action Research Project for Ladies’ Toilet Facility comprises of Poulomi Chakraborty, Yasaswini, Sneha, Snehal, Annu Pandey, Simran, Mehak Sharma. IIT KGP Foundation would like to extend its special thanks to Neha & Mukul Khandelia and family for funding the project. The project has been supervised and executed by Dr. Somnath Ghosal, Centre for Rural Development & Innovative Sustainable Technology, IIT Kharagpur.

Contact Person: Prof. Somnath Ghosal, Centre for Rural Development & Innovative Sustainable Technology, IIT Kharagpur
Email : somnath@iitkgp.ac.in

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp;  Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
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Prof. Sudhakar Yedla, Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur is appointed as the Director of NIT Srinagar

Prof. Sudhakar Yedla, an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (1996/M.Tech/AG/2000/PhD CE) is appointed as the Director of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. A Professor at IGIDR and a Former Vice-Chancellor of Dravidian University, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, Prof Yedla is a Civil Engineering graduate from Andhra University who completed his Masters and PhD from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in the area of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering.

Joined IGIDR in 1999, Prof. Yedla is a Civil Engineer with Masters and PhD in Environmental Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He is also trained in Environmental Economics and Development Policy from World Bank Institute, USA and International Environmental Law from UN Institute in Switzerland and has served international institutions & universities such as Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan as a Policy Researcher; New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, USA as a Visiting Scholar; University of Ulsan, South Korea as Professor; Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand as Visiting Associate Professor and Professor. He has been serving as international consultant (SDG, GEF and Sustainable Cities) to a number of international and development agencies such as UNDP, Egypt, UNESCAP, UNEP, UNEP-RRC, ADB, World Bank, Sida etc.

Prof. Sudhakar Yedla
Director
National Institute of Technology, Srinagar

For the past 20 years, he has been associated with a number of academic institutions as board member and some important academic bodies such as Academic Senate of NIT Warangal, Executive Council of IGIDR, Academic Council of IGIDR and NIT Warangal. He published extensively in international journals and books and is invited by the peers in India and abroad on more than 125 occasions and participated in another 120 national and international conferences.

Guided 20 graduate students and served in Editorial Boards of a number of International Journals, Prof. Yedla has served as Court Member as the MHRD Nominee for the Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi. As a Vice-Chancellor of a State University of Government of Andhra Pradesh, he is popularly known for his strict, dynamic and reformative administration with a great vision for the University. He works in the areas of Environmental Economics, Valuation of Environment and Pollution, Urban Environmental Policy, Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainable Mobility, Urban Waste Management, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sustainable Cities and Development of Eco-Industrial Parks.

In his first address, Prof. Yedla acknowledged the remarkable legacy of NIT Srinagar, “Throughout its history, this institution has been a beacon of knowledge, a haven for intellectual curiosity, and a catalyst for positive change. Today, as I step into this role, I am fully aware of this responsibility and the immense potential that lies within our NIT Srinagar’s walls. My vision for NIT Srinagar is to make it one of the leading Institutes in the entire country,” he said.

He was chosen twice to evaluate Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) of UNDP India for 2012-17 programme cycle. Prof. Yedla has been advising Department of Urban Development and Environment and Forest on SDGs, and Sustainable Cities and was appointed as Advisor (Head), Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization, Government of India.

Prof. Yedla said nothing can be achieved without the support of administrative staff, faculty, colleagues, and students. It is a collective effort and we all have to make NIT Srinagar one of the best institutes of this country. My focus will be on fostering an environment that supports the growth and well-being of the NIT Srinagar and not boosts the interests of individuals. When the organization thrives, individuals also get benefits under its shadow.

He has more than 24 years of teaching and research experience with research focus that includes Climate Studies, Urban Environmental Management, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Mobility, Waste Management, Provision of Urban Services, Valuation of Environmental Services and Assessment of Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts of Development Initiatives.

Prof. Yedla has done his post-doctoral studies (PDF) at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand and has a diploma in International Environmental Law (DIEL) from UNITAR, Switzerland with a certification from the World Bank Institute in Environmental Economics and Development Policy (CEEDP).

He has worked at several national and international institutions such as the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), in Japan, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, USA and Korean Institute of International Economic Policy (KIEP), South Korea. Before coming to NIT Srinagar, Prof. Yedla served NCERT as the Chairperson for the National Focus Group on Environmental Education for the National Curriculum Framework.

Prof. Yedla was nominated twice by MHRD to the Asian Institute of Technology as the Government of India’s seconded faculty member. He served as Project Director for a major regional research program in climate change (ARRPEEC) funded by SIDA and another multinational research initiative by UN-FAO in the area of ‘Roles of Agriculture’.

He has been widely consulted by international development agencies and think tanks and has worked with UNDP-India, UNDP-Egypt, UNESCAP, UNEP-RRC, UNEP-Regional Office, World Bank, Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations University, DFID, Research Council of UK and IGES, Japan on various consulting assignments.

Prof. Yedla has won eleven prestigious national and international fellowships and also won awards such as Fast Track Young Scientist Research Grant of DST, Government of India; Fellowship for Best Paper from GEF of the World Bank, Alexandria, and Egypt.

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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