SMVDU Katra, 31^stOct. 2018, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is participatingin14^th FICCI Higher Education Summit, Global Conference and Exhibition, themed ‘University of Future’inaugurated in VigyanBhavan, New Delhi. Notably, the university is receiving overwhelming response from visitors from India and across the globe, including academicians, administrators and educational consultants from different nationalities, such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Russia, Poland, Nigeria, Iran, Portugal, Maldives, Mexico, and Kenya. The foreign delegates are exploring SMVDU stall forjoint collaborations, students exchanges and admissions, and for bilateral ties of mutual benefits. The lead team of Dr. HarGovind Mishra, Dr.Balbir Singh, Mr. B. K. Bhatia, including students, namely Ms. Simran Nanda, Ms. Bhavani Gupta, Mr. Lovlesh& Mr. Madhav are representing the university in the exhibition. Significantly, SMVDUniversityhas been progressively gaining recognition internationally, and gradually moving on path to become an international university. Also, SMVDU Start-up eSmartSoftware team led by Mr. Santosh Kumar also showcased themselves in the exhibition. Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU,envisages such world class exhibitions as a form of social engagement, and a key site for opening platform for educators at international level.

SMVDU Katra, 24^thOct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University always focuses on making a fine balance between industry and institute, and in this context, the School of Architecture & Landscape Design (SoALD) organised a special session under industry-institute interactions for B. Arch. students where Mr. Varun Wahal of H & R Johnson delivered an expert talk on how to impart learning for good industry exposure. An informative and engaging presentation filled the audience with awe, while the expert of corporate business development covered aspects of manufacturing and application of building tiles. Students and faculty members not only participated in the interactive and informative session but also found solutions to their architectural problems. Further, Mr. Rajinder Singh of H & R Johnson assisted the expert in presenting the company profile, while showcasing the building products and projects executed nationally and internationally. Previously, Prof. Rajiv Garg, Head of the School, welcomed the Mr. Wahal, and informed the audience about the constant endeavour of SMVDU in building academia-industry interaction for effective and enhanced learning. Faculty members-architects, including Abhiney Gupta, Anoop K Sharma, Satyanshu Kumar, Anil Wali and Romesh Sharma expressed their gratitude to the expert. The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by the School.

SMVDU Katra, 29 Oct. 2018. School of Biotechnology, a leading and research oriented department at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) organised invited lectures by eminent scientist Dr. Ashok P. Giri, Head, Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-DSL, Pune. Three sessions were conducted on biochemical aspects of synthesis of various secondary metabolites in plants and their relationship with environment, growth and development stages, as reported by Dr. Sharda Potukuchi & Mr. Inderpal Singh. Talking on the importance of invited lectures, Prof. V. Verma, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, informed, these lectures are the part of Expert Lecture Series that have been organised in the school on time to time. Following the principle that let knowledge come from all directions, Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor (SMVDU), emphasised on the outcome-based-education where education beyond syllabus must be covered through such extension activities. Dr. Giri’s research group have been working on understanding of the plant-insect interaction at molecular level that will serve as a basis for developing strategies for plant protection in sustainable manner with minimizing use of chemicals, reported Dr. Sharda Potukuchi. Further, she informed Dr. Giri’svisit shall open up new avenues for cooperation in several academic fronts, including publications, development of patentable processes and designs. Additionally, the faculty membersexpressed their gratitude to the scientist and expected that it would motivate the potential researchers. The sessions were attended by students, research scholars and faculty members of the school. The vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Vinod Singh.

SMVDU Katra, 24^thOct. 2018. When it comes to inspire the students, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University leaves no stone unturned. Following this, under the aegis of TEDxSMVDU various interactive talks were organised where speakers from diverse backgrounds delivered talks and enlightened the students with their words of wisdom. Inspiring talks were delivered by different speakers, including Dr. Shankar Venugopal (Dean of Mahindra, Technical Academy), Mr. Akash Srivastava(CEO,Flydex Automobiles Pvt.  Ltd.), Ms.Sandhya Suri (Retd. Naval Officer &Executive DirectorDivotePvt. Ltd.), Mr. AmitabhReu (AssociateDirector&Business Head Panasonic), Ms. Damini Mahajan (Co-founder & CEO, Wemakescholars.com), Dr. Awdhesh Singh(Retd. IRS Officer) and Mr. ChandanBhawnani(Executive Vice President, Yes Bank ). This student initiative event was well coordinated under the able guidance of SMVDU faculty members: Dr.R.K.Jha; Dr. H. G Mishra; and Mr.Mir Irfan Ul Haq. The Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, Dr. Sanjeev Jain believes that this short talk model is more appropriate for young minds and it works more than a formal classroom teaching, since present day education demands inspiring more than teaching. The student volunteers, namely Mr. Tarun Mahajan & Mr. Ashutosh Pandey,presented the vote of thanks.

SMVDU Katra, 29thOct. 18. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has added another dimension to its endeavour to achieve excellence in technology & engineering by hosting its annual Tech-Fest Titiksha which not only conducted various technical sessions but also engaged students in skills-based-activities in events, such as game of codes, Robo-soccer, Robo-war, catapult to ignite the young budding technocrats. Notably, this time 5th international conference ICRTAET on recent trends & advancements in technology was also featured in Titiksha’ 18. During the valedictory session, Ms Shweta Shalini, a renowned entrepreneur, social activist and advisor to CM (Maharashtra) Shri Devendra Fadnavis, emphasized on the role of technology, and further deliberated upon the emerging issues of women empowerment and modern education practice in technology and entrepreneurship. Dr. Rakesh K Jha, president of Board of professional activities and co-ordinator ICRTAET-2018, informed the audience about the achievements of the fest in general and conference in particular. Significantly, the ICRTAET-2018 attracted 200 professionals from Germany, South Africa, France, Netherlands and around 50 institutions across India. During the valedictory ceremony, certificates and awards were distributed, and the vote of thanks was presented by student co-ordinators Piyusha Khajuria, Zainab Hamid and Arshiya Gupta. Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice chancellor (SMVDU), stated, SMVDU has been emerging as a leading technical institution of the country and events, like Titiksha are attracting exponential diverse participation every year on national on international level.

SMVDU Katra, 22^ndOct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University organised its first mega fest, namely Concordance-2018 under the aegis of the Board of Cultural Activities (BCA). With a variety of performances on dance and music, Concordance serves as an official welcome to the incoming batches, including B. Tech.; B. Arch.; M. Tech.; MSc; MA; MBA; and MCA where fresh candidates, along with their seniors, formed groups, joined hands, practiced in coordination and performed enthusiastically, as reported the coordinators, namely Mr. Sumanta S. Sharma, Mr. Mir Irfan UlHaq, Dr. Vivek Singh and Dr. Surender Singh. The entire process started a month back with shortlisting students through talent hunt, auditions, screening and various other contests, and Concordance provides a platform for a healthy interaction between the senior and fresh students. The performances ranged from songs, beatboxing, solo musical instrument performance to different dance forms were conducted, whereasthe cherry on the cake was the concluding Bhangra performance which spell-bounded everyone. The beauty of the event was amplified as the performers, back stage support, together with committee members cooperated and coordinated so much so that it reached perfection and a grand success.

SMVDU Katra, 28 Oct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University always focuses on making a fine balance between industry and institute, and in this context, the School of Architecture&Landscape Design (SoALD) organised a special session under industry-institute interactions for B. Arch. students where Mr. Varun Wahalof H & R Johnson delivered an expert talk on how to impart learning for good industry exposure. An informative and engaging presentation filled the audience with awe, while the expert of corporate business development covered aspects of manufacturing and application of building tiles. Students and faculty members not only participated in the interactive and informative session but also found solutions to their architectural problems. Further, Mr. Rajinder Singh of H & R Johnson assisted the expert in presenting the company profile, while showcasing the building products and projects executed nationally and internationally. Previously, Prof. Rajiv Garg, Head of the School, welcomed the Mr. Wahal, and informed the audience about the constant endeavour of SMVDU in building academia-industry interaction for effective and enhanced learning. Faculty members-architects, including Abhiney Gupta, Anoop K Sharma, Satyanshu Kumar, Anil Wali and Romesh Sharma expressed their gratitude to the expert. The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by the School.

SMVDU Katra, 20^thOct. 2018. Another feather in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University’s cap as the institution will be a multi-institutional centre for advance research in human reproductive health. Notably, the Indian Council of Medical Research establishes its nodal centre at SMVDU, including three universities, namely Uni. of Jammu (UoJ); Uni. of Kashmir (UoK); and Central Uni. of Jammu (CUJ) have been sanctioned a funding of INR 10 crores, as reported Dr. Rakesh Thusoo, the lead investigator and faculty, School of Biotechnology, SMVDU. Further, he informed that other eminent researchers associated with centre are: Prof.ManojDhar (VC, Jammu varsity); Prof. Raies Qadri (UoJ),Dr. Audesh Bhat (CUJ)and Dr. Swarkar Sharma (SMVDU). Dr. Thusoo, an alumnus of AIIMS & Washington University, emphasised that the centre would deal with issues, such as primary and secondary infertility- locally as well as globally.He reiterated that infertility is thought to impact 25% of couples of childbearing ages globally; however,primary and secondary infertility figures in India is 3 & 8 percent as per WHO. Dr. Thusoo thanked Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU for his guidance and encouragement so that the idea of centre once conceived by Prof. R. N. K. Bamezai, (Ex-VC, SMVDU) brought to its fruition. The centre would represent a perfect amalgamation of experienced and young brains as accomplished academicians as well as young scientists would work in collaboration. The Vice Chancellors of all four universities expressed their delight on the sanction of this centre and assured their support.

SMVDU Katra, 25^thOct. 2018. Students pursuingM.Tech.in Manufacturing & Automation from the School of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University visited Jammu Tawi Railway Station to study the maintenance activities being performed in Indian Railway system, under the faculty supervision of Dr. Balbir Singh and Er. Sanjay Mohan Sharma. Team of SSE, including Mr. GL Sharma, Mr. Satyarth Gupta, Mr. UpneshBhati, & Mr. Udipan Sharma demonstrated the primary and secondary maintenance activities undertaken for trains in the washing shed. Mr. Satyarth Gupta explained the challenges and operational management of railways systems to provide safe, timely and comfortable journey to passengers. Further, students also took keen interest in learning special type of repair work being undertaken on coaches and bogies in sick line complex.

SMVDU Katra, 18^th Oct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University students always strive to bring academic excellence to the institution. Until recently, Ms. Pearl Sharma, a student of School of Economics, presented a research paper entitled: ‘Cognitive Factors of International Trade Inflows & Foreign Direct Investment Inflows in BRICS Nations: Evidence from Gravity Model Analysis’at an international conference on ‘Trade, Business, Commerce & Management Issues’, Dubai as reported her mentors, namely Dr. Pabitra K. Jena & Dr. Kakali Majumdar. The candidate’s research work aimed at analysing cognitive factors of trade and FDI inflows in BRICS nations, whileeliciting evidence from an econometricmodel. Also, Ms. Sharma emphasised that export (or trade) between two countries would depend on their economic masses and negatively related to trade costs between them.Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor, appreciated the student’s effort and hoped that other students of the school would also explore and present research paper at international level.

SMVDU Katra, 20 Oct. 2018. To enhance the research environment in the J&K region, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra organised a two-week faculty refresher course on ‘Introduction to MATLAB and Research Enhancement Tool’ wef 20-29 Oct. 2018. This course, collaborated with HRDC, SMVDU, is third in the series out of eight, and sponsored by TEQIP-III and MATLAB Inc., as reported Dr. Amit K. Pandit, Coordinator of the program. Further, he emphasised that such programs were need of the hour as they dealt with research enhancement tools-a prerequisite for a good research. Dr. Kumud Jha, Head, Electronics & Communication Engineering, briefed that this program would incorporate various research topics, such as motivation, team building, research methodology, art of writing and publishing quality research papers. Further, the coordinator hoped that participants across the country would enhance their skills and research profiles. Many faculty members were present during the inaugural session, including Mr. Anil Bhardwaj, Dr. Ashutosh Vasishtha, and Mr. Sanjeev Wadhwan to name a few. Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU conveyed his best wishes to the participants, and wished that such programs would be organised often. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks, present by Dr. Pandit.  

SMVDU KATRA, 25^th Oct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University organised its annual technical festival, Titiksha 2018, along with 5th International Conference on ‘Recent Trends and Advancements in Engineering and Technology’ (ICRTAET-18) where Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director, IIIM-CSIR, Jammu graced the occasion as a Chief Guest. Titiksha attracted a huge participation from more than 21 institutes across the country, whereas during the conference, more than 250 research papers will be presented by Indian and international delegates, including Germany, South Africa, France, and Netherlands. Titiskha will feature the events, such as Robo-war, Trebuchet, Game of Codes, RoboSchoker, A’ Maze Solver Clock, and alike, whereas 7 technical and academic sessions will be conducted during the conference, as reported Dr. Rakesh Jha, President, Board of Professional Activities, SMVDU. Previously, in his welcome address, Dr. Vishwakarma, Chief Guest and Director, IIIM-CSIR, Jammu deliberated upon the sincere efforts of the scientific community nationwide, and he was full of praise for SMVDU, while describing it an institution of high prestige. During the conference abstract-proceedings release, Dr V K Bhat, Registrar, DrYugalKhajuria, Dean of Students Welfare, Mr. Vinod Sharma Administrative Officer, Mr. Romesh Singh (KAS) Finance Officer, DrSumeet Gupta, Associate Dean (Academic Affairs), Mr. Samir Vohra, Assistant Registrar, and others were present. Dr Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, conveyed his best wishes to the organising teams, and expected substantial outcome.

SMVDU Katra, 18 Oct. 2018. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra celebrated Dussehra on campus where a huge number of faculty members & staff along with their family joined and enjoyed the festivities. All were filled with great joy and enthusiasm in the presence of Registrar, Dean of Students and Chairperson, Media Cell, namely Prof. V. K. Bhat, Dr. Yugal Khajuria and Dr. Amitabh V. Dwivedi respectively. The children were dressed up in their best, like Ram; Sita; Ravana; Laxman and Durga, and showcased their histrionics and dance performances during the occasion. The significance of Dussehra was also described with the help of poetry recitation, while highlighting the ten inauspicious qualities of Ravana. A quiz was also organised for the little kids which held everyone’s attention intact throughout the event. The luscious dinner at university guest house culminated the celebration. Dr. Sanjeev Jain, Vice, Vice-Chancellor, extended his warm greetings and good wishes to all.

SMVDU Katra, 24^thOct. 18. Mr. Vivudh Gupta, a research student, School of Mechanical Engineering at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra bagged elite plus gold certificate in the online NPTEL course on ‘Manufacturing of Composites’, conducted by the IIT, Kanpur. Notably, the candidate made into the top 1% of certified candidates in the eight-week course at all India level as reported his supervisors, namely Dr. Balbir Singh & Dr. R. K. Mishra. The course familiarised the research student with the important aspects of composites manufacturing, including process selection guidelines, composites manufacturing processes, process parameters and characterisations. The research student thanked SMVD University and his mentors for providing him quality education, and he is looking forward to registering in such courses in near future.