Dr. Balbir Singh, an Associate Professor from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, recently delivered an expert lecture on the 'National Education Policy 2020: Challenges and Opportunities for Teachers of Higher Education Institutions'. The lecture was part of the Faculty Development Program on 'Innovative and Emerging Thrust Areas of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering' held online from 03-08 April 2023, organized by Sandip Foundation's Shri Ram Polytechnic, Sijoul, Madhubani, Bihar. Dr. Singh, who is also the Faculty In-charge Examination in SMVDU, discussed the details of the revolutionary transformation in the Indian education system through the new education policy. He highlighted the key features of the policy, such as multidisciplinary and holistic education, blended learning, choice-based credit systems, flexible learning with multiple entry and exit, skilling and employability, research and internships, and a light but tight regulatory framework. The lecture was well-received and appreciated by the participants, management, and coordinators. The NEP 2020 envisages a teaching-learning environment that promotes Indian culture and values and Bhartiya Gyan Parampara, aiming to achieve the status of Visvaguru as it was in ancient times.

Mr. Deepak Sharma, Research Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has been declared qualified for the award of PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked on the topic, titled “Characterization and Investigation of Friction Stir Welding of Aluminium Alloy Based Metal Matrix Composites” under the supervision of Dr. Balbir Singh (Administrative Supervisor) and Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar Bhushan, (Former Faculty, SMVDU) presently working at NIT, Manipur. The candidate has published his research work in SCI and Scopus journals and conferences. He thanked the University for providing facilities and necessary support for carrying out research work. Prof. R.K. Sinha VC, SMVDU, congratulated the candidate and wished him a bright future ahead. Other members of the committee, Dr. Ajay Kaul, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. M. Eswaramurthy, Head, School of Mechanical Engineering also conveyed their best wishes.

Dr. Ankush Raina, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra was awarded with the best paper award in the International Conference of Advanced Materials & Technologies for Industry 4.0 (ICAMT 4.0) organized by Bannari Amman Institute of Technology during 23-24, March 2023. The objective of the ICAMT 4.0 was to bridge the gap between current industrial demand and innovations in materials and advanced technologies. Dr. Raina presented a paper on the title “3D Printing of hybrid materials for tribological applications” was co-authored by Dr. Mir Irfan Ul Haq, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra. The research aimed at providing an insight on the sliding wear applications of the 3D printed polymeric materials. The conference experts appreciated the work carried out by the team. More than 200 papers were presented from by the authors from different countries in offline and online mode.Dr. Raina expressed his gratitude to the Faculty In charge Research lab, Dr. Ankush Anand and Head, SME, Prof. E. Muthusamy for facilitating the research work. Dr. Raina also expressed his gratitude to Padama Shri Prof. R. K. Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU for allowing him to attend the Conference and present his research work.

Mr. Arun Bangotra, Ph.D Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has presented a research paper, titled “Performance analysis of journal bearing having surface waviness operating under misaligned condition” in the 4th MYTRIBOS International Symposium 2022 organized by the Malaysian Tribology Society, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The presentation discussed findings which are likely to be beneficial to bearing manufacturers, designers and researchers for designing a bearing having better and smooth operation.The paper presented in the conference has been authored by Mr. Arun Bangotra, Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Mr. Reza Taufique and Mr. Deepak Byotra, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU, Katra. Mr. Bangotra is presently working as Principal, Govt. Polytechnic Kathua, Jammu.

Prof. Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy, a faculty member of Mechanical Engineering at SMVDU, presented a technical paper and chaired a session at the 2nd International Conference on Materials, Design, and Manufacturing (ICMDM 2023) held at Anna University Chennai from February 23rd to 25th, 2022. The inaugural address was given by Prof. R Velraj, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University.The technical paper presented by Prof. Muthusamy was titled "A Comparative Study on Optical and Thermal Performance of Parabolic Trough Concentrator Using a Bundle of Absorber Tubes," in which he emphasized the importance of using a bundle of absorber tubes to achieve higher thermal and optical performance of parabolic trough collectors compared to using single absorber tubes.Other invited speakers from top-ranking institutes in India and abroad presented talks on ongoing research topics, and many external participants presented their research work via offline mode. Prof. Muthusamy also chaired the session on "Newer Product Development" stream along with Dr. Balakrishnan, Engineering Manager at Caterpillar.The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Anna University Chennai organized the conference.

Dr. Balbir Singh, Faculty, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University chaired a panel discussion on ‘Global Engineering Education’ at the 2nd Indian International Conference on ‘Industrial Engineering and Operation Management’ hosted by International IEOM society collaborates with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal and JNTU Hyderabad, August 16-18, 2022. Other Panel members include Dr. Bhaskar Bhandarkar, Director General of Institution for Innovation & Industrial Engineering and Entrepreneurship, Nagpur, Professor Harwinder Singh from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab and Professor K Ramakrishan, Dean, IQAC, KL University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh participated in discussions on various aspects, and challenges of global engineering education. To build international engineering education, it is essential to include global competencies such as language, culture, and teamwork along with the Hard and Soft Competencies in engineering programs, as graduates need to work within multicultural and multinational work environments. Engineering Accreditation (NBA), and Outcome-based Education with the active participation of industries are the hallmarks of global engineering education.

B.Tech. Mechanical Engineering student, SMVDU, presented a paper at first international interdisciplinary Clconference on Energy, NanoTechnology and Internet of Things (ENT 2023) by virtual mode organised by National Institute of Technology Puducherry in Feb 2023. Mr Shubh Prakash presented on "Transient Heat Transfer Studies on Different Positions of Thermoelectric Generator Integrated Solar Air Heaters for Buildings". The paper discussed various operating and design parameters using transient heat transfer model applied for different position of thermoelectric generator through online the technical paper was co-authored by Shivam Sharma, Naman Mahajan, Shivam Bhat, Eswaramoorthy M., Ravi Kumar Goyal.

Mr. Pawandeep Singh, Research Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), has been declared qualified for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering.He has worked on the topic, titled “Investigation of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Eggshell/B4C and Bone ash/ B4C Reinforced ZA-27 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites” under the supervision of Dr R.K Mishra and Dr Balbir Singh, Associate Professors, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU.

Mr. Pawandeep Singh has published his research work in SCI/SCIE journals, conferences, and a book chapter and filed one patent. The candidate thanked Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University for granting the scholarship and the Research and Development Department for necessary support along with facilities. Prof. R.K. Sinha Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, Dr Ajay Kaul, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor M. Eswaramurthy, Head School of Mechanical Engineering and Supervisor Dr R.K Mishra and Dr Balbir Singh congratulated the candidate and wished him a bright future ahead.

Prof. E. Muthusamy from the Mechanical Engineering department of SMVDU presented a technical paper at the ENT 2023 Conference, held at the National Institute of Technology in Puducherry Karaikal. The conference took place from 2-4 February 2023 and was conducted virtually. The paper, titled "Performance Evaluation of Solar Air Heater with and without Thermoelectric Generator," discussed the use of a thermoelectric generator to enhance the performance of a solar air heater.

Mr Ravi Kumar Goyal, PhD scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering has presented his research paper titled 'modelling and analysis of compound parabolic concentrator integrated box type solar cooker' authored by Ravi Kumar Goyal and M. Eswaramoorthy in the 2nd International Conference & Exposition on Advances in Mechanical Engineering (ICAME-2022) organised by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Pune. The article and presentation discussed a method to enhance the performance of the solar cooker.

Prof. Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy, Faculty, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, presented a paper at 3rd International Conference on Furustic Technologies on Manufacturing, Design, Automation and Energy (ICOFT MADE 2022) at National Institute of Technology Puducherry Karaikal from 14-16 December 2022. Also, the faculty member along with this student, Amit Kumar Bhagat, authored a technical paper titled "An Experimental Study on Flexible Phase Change Material for Compact Electronic Device Applications", presented by Dr Muthusamy in which he emphasized the utilization of flexible phase change materials for better thermal control to avoid overheating the LED amp and enhance the life. Several plenary speakers from external top QIS ranking institutes from USA, UK and Sweden were delivered on the advanced ongoing research topics. Researchers from India, China, Thailand , South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, USA, presented their research work through online and offline mode. Prof. Gana Moorthy, Emeritus Professor IIT Madras (Former Director IIITDM Kanchipuram) presented the valedictory address. Dr. Muthusamy also chaired sessions on “Automation and Energy” stream.

Mr. Aniket Sharma, M. Tech. Student, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, published two publications from his M. Tech research work with Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU, Katra.One of his research papers publication entitled “The effect of V-shape protruded and dimple textured on the load-carrying capacity and coefficient of friction of hydrodynamic journal bearing- A comparative Numerical Study” is published in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (London), Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology (SCI-E indexed journal) and another research paper entitled “Dynamic Performance Improvement of Journal Bearing by Using Dimple and Protruded Textured Surfaces” is published in International Journal of Surface Engineering and Interdisciplinary Materials Science (SCOPUS indexed journal).The research publications discuss in detail the static-dynamic and stability performance enhancement of hydrodynamic journal bearing by using surface texturing inside the bearing surface and the whole work should be beneficial for designers for designing a bearing having a better and smooth operation.

Mr Ravi Kumar Goyal, PhD Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU, has presented a paper at 3rd International Conference on Furustic Technologies on Manufacturing , Design, Automation and Energy (ICOFT MADE 2022) at National Institute of Technology Puducherry Karaikal from 14-16 December 2022.Ravi Kumar Goyal received the best paper award in the stream "Automation and Energy". The research candidate and Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy authored a technical paper entitled "Social Environmental and Economic Assessment of Box Type Solar Cookers for Domestic Acceptance in India", and in a paper presented by Ravi Kumar Goyal, he emphasized the social, environmental and economic assesment of box type solar cooker for domestic acceptance in India.Researchers from India, China, Thailand , South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, USA, presented their research work through online and offline mode.

Katra: Research article related to thesis work of Love Kerni, a student of M. Tech. (Manufacturing and Automation), School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra featured in the category of top cited research papers. The paper titled “Friction and wear performance of olive oil containing nanoparticles in boundary and mixed lubrication regimes” was published in Wear Journal (Elsevier), in 2019. The Journal is Science Citation Indexed and falls in the category of Q1 listed journals as per SCImago Ranking (SJR). The Impact Factor of the journal is 3.892 with a ranking of 28 in Mechanical Engineering. The research work was carried out to evaluate the characteristics of bio lubricant (olive oil) as a part of M. Tech. thesis work under the supervision of Dr. Ankush Raina, Assistant Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU.

Love Kerni expressed his gratitude to the co-authors (Dr. Ankush Raina and Dr. Mir Irfan Ul Haq) for active participation and contribution to the research paper. Mr. Kerni also thanked SMVDU authorities and other staff members of the school for facilitating the research work.

Mr. Vivudh Gupta, Research Scholar, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Univeristy (SMVDU) has been declared qualified for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked on the topic, titled “Characterization and Machinability Study of Eggshell and Rice Husk Ash reinforced AA7075 Composites” under supervision of Dr. Balbir Singh and Dr. RK Mishra, Faculty, School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU. The candidate has published his research work in SCI-SCOPUS journals, conference proceedings and as books chapters. Prof. R.K. Sinha, VC, SMVDU, and other members of the committee congratulated the candidate and wished him a bright future ahead.