SMVDU, Katra: A five day executive training program on capacity building of SMVDSB employees on the topic “Basic Computer Skills for effective performance” concluded on 11^th May 20198. The program was organized by School of Business Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, J&K. A batch 0f thirty nine employees attended the workshop which covered various areas such as In and Out of Computer (Hard & Software)/Mobiles Process  and Handling Systems, Trouble Shooting, Working with MS Office, Drafting Official Correspondence, Preparing Online Documents and Basics of E-mailing were explained to the by participants. The recourse persons included Dr. RashiTaggar, Dr. Sudesh, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Dr. NavinGondhi and Dr. Saurabh who are the faculty members of SMVD University. The participants were given hands on practical sessions on various topics with the help of support staff such as mr. Naveen Kumar, Mr. Dinesh Sharma, and Mr. Sanjeev Nagpal. In the valedictory session Dr. Arvind Karwani, Dy. CEO (personnel0 explained the importance of such training in view of the importance of digital literacy. He also took the feedback of the participants. Prof. D. Mukhopady, Dean, FoM, extended his support and wishes for the fruitful application of learning to the employees. Dr. Sushil Mehta, Head, School of Business, said that the University is ready to make efforts in bringing in the change. Dr. Saurabh, coordinator of the workshop

Katra, 07 July ‘18. Three-Day Faculty Development Program on “Effective Teaching-Learning in Higher Education” concluded on 06 July 2018 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU). The event was jointly organisedby the School of Architecture & Landscape Design (SoALD) & Philosophy & Culture (SoPC).Prof. V. K. Bhat, Registrar SMVDU, graced the valedictory event as a Chief Guest where he emphasized upon the need of developing understanding and healthy relationship with the students. Prof. V. Verma, Dean Faculty of Engineering (SMVDU), and the Guest of Honor,encouraged the faculty participants to develop good attributes and effective teaching skills. Further, the FDP started with an aim to sensitize the faculty members about changing scenario of higher education in view of rapidly advancing technology and learning requirements of the students as well as to train faculty members to impart quality education to budding professionals. For the implementation of outcome based education, various interactive sessions were conducted, including ‘Good Practices in Higher Education across the Globe’, ‘Teaching Process, Teaching Tools and Techniques’, Aspects of Effective Teaching Learning’, and alike by the coordinators and in-house faculty members. Also , a special session was conducted by theinvited speaker, Dr B K Bajaj of University of Jammu,who deliberated upon the quality education and outcome based education. Dr Rajeev Garg and Dr Anil Tewari, Coordinators of the event, extended the vote of thanks to one and all. Notably, the faculty participants expressed their satisfaction for getting insightfullearning experience, and they are looking forward to such events in near future.

SMVDU Katra, 16^thJuly, 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has organized a three-week Students’ Induction Program for its students starting from 16^thJuly 2018 to 3^rdAugust, 2018. Keeping the maximal utilisation of time in mind, the morning session is dedicated to the regular class work, however, in the afternoon session motivational lectures by the eminent professors (in-house & outside) is to  be conducted on significant topics, such as gender sensitivity; how to achieve success in life; interaction with the distinguished alumni; human values; the role of research & technology in growth and development; how to begin a startup; talent hunt; etc. Believing that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, each day will start with a yoga session at 06.00 AM where the yoga coordinator Dr. Anil Tewari, along with the instructor Mr. Gurmel will guide students for a healthy start. Further, the first day session started with an address by the Dean (Engineering), Prof. V. Verma where he briefed the students about the B. Tech programme. The crux of his address was the overall growth of the fresh candidates, focusing on personal success while keeping the institution’s vision and mission in the mind. Next, Dr. Sunil K. Wanchoo, through a video presentation showcased how SMVDU has evolved during the course of time. Interestingly, within a very short span of time the university has ranked among top 100 Engineering Institutions by the NIRF 2018, MHRD, Govt. of India, and included in Times World University Ranking List. Dr. Yugal Khajuria, Dean (Students Welfare) briefed students about hostel facilities, and its rules and regulations. In the final session, SMVDU distinguished alumni, Mr. Karan Sapolia, gave a motivational speech on how to grab opportunities and achieve success. Dr. Sumeet Gupta, Associate Dean Academics, presented a vote of thanks to all the speakers.

SMVDU Katra, July 9: Five-day, Department of Science and Technology (DST), GoI sponsored "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)", Science Internship Camp started today in the university campus under the able guidance and competent leadership of Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University. The inaugural interactive lecture was delivered by Prof. S. K. Dogra, Former Professor of Chemistry from IIT Kanpur. Other prominent speakers are: Dr. Ashish Shukla and Dr. Puja Srivastava both from Space Application Centre, ISRO, Prof. Supriyo Mitra, IISER Kolkatta, and Prof. R. N. Gohil, Former Professor, Jammu University. Prof. K. K. Kapoor from Jammu University shall be conducting innovative sessions. Dr. Meenakshi Munshi, Advisor, DBT, GoI and Dr. A. Mukhopadhyay, Advisor, DST, GoI shall be mentoring the interns during the Camp. Notably, this is the 13^th such Camp that is being organized by the University out of which 4 Camps have been conducted by the University at Leh for the interns from Ladakh region. The second interactive session of the day was conducted by Shri Mineesh Gulati who demonstrated various concepts of physics on stage through his unique and simple experiments. All the interns were engrossed in both these sessions and asked a number of interesting question from the mentors. With these camps SMVD University has set a quality benchmark of attracting talent to the study of science and technology so as to communicate to the young attendees the excitement of creative pursuits of science and catch them at an early stage and build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding science and technology system in R&D base.

SMVDU Katra: 4^thJuly, 2018. A three-day Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Effective Teaching-Learning in Higher Education” began at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra on 4^th July 2018. Prof. V.K. Bhat, the Registrar of SMVDU, inaugurated the program. In his inaugural address, Prof. Bhat pointed out three modes of engaging students for better learning: giving challenging assignments, maintaining a cordial relationship with the students, having a blend of technological and traditional method in teaching-learning. Prof. V. Verma, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, was the keynote speaker, and he remarked that teaching and learning are the two sides of the same coin. He remarked that the use of technology with a human touch is essential for an effective teaching-learning practice. Teachers should be an interdisciplinary learner and he/she should create an environment of profitable interaction in the class. Prof. Rajeev Garg, Head, School of Architecture and Landscape Design, conducted the session. A vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Anil Tewari, Head, School of Philosophy & Culture. The main objective of the three-day program is to make the faculty members aware of the best practices adopted to make the process of learning in higher education more fruitful and enjoyable. Also, the University has adopted new tools for effective class-room teaching-learning and maintaining records, the program intends to make the faculty aware of these adaptations.

SMVDU Katra 11^thJuly,2018: Five-day, Department of Science and Technology (DST), GoI sponsored "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)", Science Internship Camp continued on day Two and three with inspiring lectures from scientists and professors across the country. Dr. Ashish K. Shukla, noted Scientist and Mathematician from ISRO Ahmedabad, delivered lecture on the Process of Navigation, GPS System, Different types and functioning of Satellites, and Precision and Accuracy of Remote Senses. Dr. Pooja Srivastava, ISRO Ahmedabad, further highlighted the basic functions of satellite devices, satellite production and the role of Make in India. Mr. Mineesh Gulati, Principal Happy Model School, Udhampur, delivered an insightful lecture on Experimental Physics wherein he discussed Newton’s Third Law, Bernoulli’s Principle, Time Period of a Pendulum, Sound related experiments etc. Prof. K. K. Bamzai from University of Jammu talked about the discourse of Material Sciences, its integration of the branch of Physics and Chemistry, Features and various uses of Crystals, Quasi crystals and Nano Particles. Dr. Shirish M. Dhoble, Clinical Director, SMVD Narayana delivered an enriching lecture on the structure of Heart, its parts, location and its functioning. Further, he highlighted the procedure of Heart Surgery with the help of various case studies and videos by emphasizing upon the different types of surgery. The session concluded with a very interactive question-answer round wherein participants asked queries related to Heart Transplantation, Shock Therapy, Heart disease, and Cardiac arrest versus Heart attack. Dr. Sunil Wanchoo, Coordinator Inspire and Faculty, School of Physics, thanked all the speakers for such insightful lectures.