SMVDU students win first and third prize in painting competition at Surinsar Mansar Lake Festival 2022 being organized by Directorate of Tourism in collaboration with Divisional administration, Jammu. The festival was held on 17-18 Sept., 2022 at Surinsar and Mansar . Around fifty students from SMVDU participated in this festival and took part in different competitions. A painting competition was organized by Jammu Tourism in which Mr. Shivam Kumar Sangal, a student from Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, SMVDU won the first prize and Mr. Shivam Kumar Verma from Dept. of Electronics and Communication Engineering won the third prize. Dr. Kamni Pathania, Vice President BCA and Dr. Satish Tiwari coordinated the student visit. Prof. R K Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU and Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar SMVDU congratulated the students.

Researchers from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) led by Dr. Narendra K Bairwa, Faculty, Genome Stability Regulation Lab, School of Biotechnology, SMVDU, and recipient of the prestigious Ramalingaswami fellowship, develops a simple and rapid method to study apoptosis induced by chemical treatment using Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model organism. The research method is published in the Current Protocols, 7th September 2022 issue. The apoptosis process is implicated in various disease processes such as cancer, cardiovascular and aging. The authors, Dr. Narendra K Bairwa, Ms. Heena Shoket, Ms. Monika Pandita, and Ms. Meenu Sharma contributed to the published study titled “A Simple Assay for the Detection of Late‐Stage Apoptosis Features in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”. The method developed by Dr. Bairwa and his team can be utilized for the assessment of the toxicity of the chemicals by studying the features of apoptosis rapidly and accurately. The method can also be used for teaching the impact of chemicals derived from plants or industries on cells to a large number of students enrolled in schools, colleges, and universities.The laboratory of Dr. Narendra Kumar Bairwa is supported by DBT, SERB-DST, & SMVDU, for work on gene-gene interactions, genome stability regulation, stress response, and screening of small molecules for drug discovery.

September 24 is observed as NSS Day since 1969 and marked across the nation with great enthusiasm. It is the day when this public service scheme was officially launched in India. On this occasion, SMVDU NSS volunteers formed "NSS" by a human chain. Volunteers shared their views on the occasion and the event ended with national song Vande maataram. National Service Scheme, also known as NSS, is an extension of activities for students pursuing higher education to increase their participation in community service, in addition to their curriculum. Each volunteer must complete 120 hours of social service in one academic year.

As a sound body lives in a sound mind, NSS SMVDU started regular yoga sessions for students, faculty and staff members. Yoga sessions are scheduled from Monday to Friday for the week from 6-7 AM. The week-long program aims to sensitise people towards the comprehensive nature of yoga towards life and well-being. The yoga instructor of these sessions is Shri Gurmel ji, a trained in yoga, and practices it every day. He informed students about the benefits of yoga for the body and mind before starting with the asanas. He initiated them into yoga through simple and easy Sukshma Kriyas, Asanas and Pranayams. More than 100 participants performed different yoga asanas during the session. NSS Programme Coordinator, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, appreciated the efforts of Shri Gurmel ji and NSS volunteers.

NSS volunteers of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) organized an awareness programme for "Poshan Abhiyan" during the ongoing 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah.Poshan Abhiyaan is Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Every year September month is celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah". Volunteers visited Govt. Primary School situated in village School. The NSS volunteer Arshpreet discussed the role of balanced diet in good health with students and emphasized on major components of balanced diet. Volunteer Saaniya gave a demo on proper hand wash before taking a meal. Role of personal hygiene was also discussed with students for a healthy body. Volunteers also enquired about food habits of school students and their mid-day meal menu for the week. Fruits were also distributed to the students at the end of session. Dr. Rajiv Kumar, NSS Programme Coordinator of University appreciated the efforts of volunteers and also thanked school authorities for their support.

School of Civil Engineering, SMVD University (SMVDU) organized an expert talk on “Modelling of Railway Track for High-Speed Trains” by Prof. Sarvesh Chandra, Former Professor, IIT Kanpur in online mode on 12/09/2022. This lecture was an extension activity for the course ‘High-Speed Railway Engineering’ which is a part of the curriculum of B.Tech. (Civil Engineering) at SMVDU. Prof. Chandra informed students about the latest knowledge related to the developments taking place in the field of high-speed trains. Also, the talk also stressed the position of India in the field of high-speed railway technology and noteworthy insight into various design approaches for high-speed railway tracks across the globe. Prof. Chandra also put forward the light on the tools used and parameters that needed to be considered to analyse the performance of high-speed railway tracks. The talk was organised by Dr. Balbir Pandey and Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, SoCE, SMVDU. The Head of the School, SoCE, SMVDU, thanked the expert for sharing his knowledge.

Prof.Chetan Singh Solanki delivered an expert lecture on Energy and Climate Change at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. The event was organised by TBIC, SMVDU and School of Energy Management and was attended by students, scholars, faculty and staff. The speaker talked on energy demand, climate change and carbon dioxide emission. He discussed that the climate change is threatening not only sustainable life but the sustainability of life on the planet. Prof. Solanki is an educator, researcher, innovator, and happiness program teacher of Art of Living. He has undertaken Energy Swaraj Yatra from November`2020 through a solar bus for 11 years, until 2030. He emphasized that solution lies in adopting Energy Swaraj or generating and consuming energy locally. In the wake of serious and catastrophic climate change, this Energy SwarajYatra is designed with the purpose to create a public movement towards adoption of 100% solar energy.Following Gandhian ideals, he has coined the word ‘Energy Swaraj’ and to establish Energy Swaraj globally he has founded the Energy Swaraj Foundation (ESF). Prof.R.K.Sinha, Vice Chancellor SMVDU in his inaugural address highlighted the need of solar energy for sustainable environment. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Ashutosh Vaishstha, Associate Professor School of Business, Dr. Vineet V. Tyagi, I/c Head, School of Energy Management and Dr. Sanjeev Anand, Assistant Professor, School of Energy Management.

The School of Philosophy & Culture (SoPC) at SMVD University Katra (J&K) organized the 9th ICPR Study Circle Meeting. It is sponsored by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi. The topic of the lecture was “The Nature of Human Rights” which was delivered by Prof. Rakesh Chandra (Head Department of Philosophy & Dean of Academics, University of Lucknow, Lucknow). Prof. Chandra was the government nominee member of ICPR, New Delhi. As the chairperson of the Women Study Center, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, he facilitated an extensive awareness program for the safety and dignity of women. In his lecture, he presented a comprehensive picture of the situation of human rights in the world along with its historical understanding. Dr. Anil K. Tewari started this event with the welcome of the speaker and the participants coordinated the question-and-answer session. More than 80 participants joined the session from different parts of the country. Mr. Sumanta S. Sharma (Head, SoPC) thanked the speaker and the participants.

Ms. Anjali Sharma, a resident of Sira, joined the UG program in Biotechnology at SMVDU. She was a student of Vikalp from 2010-12, which is a studens' initiative of SMVD University to extend primary and secondary education to the underprivileged children of the nearby villages and the children of the construction workers on the campus. The objective is to take care of their overall growth, including their medical care. The initiative is committed to social justice and undertakes programs for the literacy of children who belong to poor and rural areas. One of the teams' major projects is to improve the condition of deprived, living in poor human condition in suburbs of Kakryal and Sira villages, adjoining the University campus, in Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir. The team conducts classes focusing on the issues of personal hygiene and general cleanliness for the rural community students in and around the university premises during the evening hours. Shri Sumanta S. Sharma, Faculty Coordinator Vikalp and the Head of the School of Philosophy & Culture felicitated Ms. Anjali Sharma and wished her the very best for her academic endeavour. In her address to the Vikalp students and volunteers, Anjali reiterated the significance of such initiatives in bringing positive changes to the vicinity of SMVDU. She thanked Vikalp for helping her over the years. Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra K Sinha (Padmashri) congratulated team Vikalp for continuing and spreading the noble cause of education to the deprived section of the society.

The Dogra history of valour and sacrifices was displayed by artists in a 75 minute-long Dogri Play. The play was written and directed by Dogri playwright, Mr. Mohan Singh Ji. Among the leading artists in addition to Mr. Mohan Singh, were: Mr. Janak Khajuria, Sh, Subash Jamwal, Jananb Shiekh Fayaz Ahmed, Dr. Sushma Rani and Dr. Sarita Khajuria. A total of 16 artists played their parts and mesmerised a full theatre.The Play exhibited the heroic bravery of Mian Dido, the revolutionary warrior of Jammu who fought many battles against the atrocities and denied any kind of agreement with the invaders.

Ms. Abha Jamwal, a descendant of Mian Dido and Sarpanch of village Jagti, the birth place of Mian Dido, was the special guest of the occasion. The event and was presided by Mr. Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar, SMVDU. The event was hosted by Dr. Kamini Pathania, Vice President, Board of Cultural Activities, SMVDU. Registrar, SMVDU and Dr. Rakesh Thusoo, President, BCA, SMVDU, honoured the entire team of Duggar Manch and reiterated about the constant efforts of SMVD University to promote awareness about rich cultural and historical legacies.BCA president thanked the University administration, NSS coordinator, BCA student Coordinators for their support in conducting the event and for their effort towards making the event successful.The play was anchored in Dogri by Dr. Kamini Pathania, Vice Pesident, BCA, supported by Ms. Radhika Agrawal and Dr. Iti Dayal. In his final remarks, Mr. Mohan Singh thanked the University administration for starting the Dogri course at SMVDU and believed that it will create a benchmark for promotion of rich but neglected Dogra art and culture in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

Students of School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) visited Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project at Sangaldhan, Ramban district, Jammu. The aim of the trip was to make students familiar and understand the functioning of USBRL Project and provide the practical education to them about the Railway Station, Steel Bridge, Tunnel, Ballast Less Track (BLT), and Soil Slope Protection Project Planning, Designing, Construction, and Maintenance procedure and its practices.The trip was organized by Dr.V.K. Dogra (Head, SoCE in which twenty students accompanied by two faculties Mr. Ponnurangam P (Assistant Professor, SoCE), Mr. Srijan (Assistant Professor, SoCE). Mr.Diwakar Joshi (Dy.CE/C), Mr.AK Bajpei (Dy.CE/E), Mr.Narendra Murdeshwar (AE/C), Mr.Arjun Singh (AE/C), Mr. Gajanan Nayak (AE/E), Mr. Md Yahoob (AE/C), Mr.Nisar Ahmed Mir (AE/C), Mr.Sajad Hassan (STA), Mr.Ravi Manhad (GSE), Mr.Pranav Chinyal (STA) officers from KRCL Sangaldan coordinated the visit and made all the other necessary arrangements.

The NSS unit of SMVDU organized a three-day orientation program for the undergraduate students in which around 700 students participated.The aim of the program was to aware students about various activities conducted by the NSS unit and motivate them for active participation. The Program Coordinator, NSS, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, briefed students about NSS and its role in student's development and nation building. He also emphasized the scope of activities for NSS volunteers in community development. SMVD University has also imitated a new component of "Community service" for UG students that they have to complete during their degree course. The students were given direction about students enrolment as volunteer in the NSS.

Regional Directorate, NSS Delhi (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports) has sanctioned a new government aided NSS unit at SMVD College of Nursing. This will be the second NSS unit of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU). The university already has one NSS unit within campus which was converted to a government aided unit from a self financing unit (SFU). The NSS Programme Coordinator, SMVDU, Dr. Rajiv Kumar handed over the sanction letter of the new NSS unit to Principal, Dr. Shailla Cannie, Nursing College, SMVDU. Ms. Hanna Hedleen will be the Programme Officer of the new unit at the Nursing College of University.

The School of Physics, SMVD University organized a lecture by Prof. Prabhakar Singh, former Prof., IIT-BHU, on “Stable Pervoskites Photovoltaics”. Prof. Singh talked about the potential of solar energy in meeting current energy requirements. He discussed current issues and challenges in designing efficient materials for solar photovoltaic devices in which the research and development have been conducting across the globe.Prof. A. K. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, SMVDU, thanked the expert for the talk. At the onset, Dr. Pankaj Biswas welcomed the speaker, and introduced his accomplishments to the audience. Dr. Kamni, Coordinator, presented the vote of thanks.

The National Engineer’s Day 2022 was celebrated by Faculty of Engineering at SMVD University, while paying tribute to Civil Engineer, Bharat Ratan, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962). Dr. Balbir Singh, Program Coordinator, welcomed dignitaries and participants and briefed them about the event.Chief Guest, VC, SMVDU, Prof. R. K. Sinha threw light on the importance of Engineers in our life in providing sustainable solutions. Guest of Honour, Dr. Shiva S., IIT Jammu, delivered a talk on various technologies such as 3D printing, digital twins, IoT, etc. Further, Guest of Honour from Industry Mr. Karanveer Singh Gujral, MD, T.V. Super Filter Industries, Jammu talked about the importance of Engineers in progressive performance and various national awards earned by company. Students presented ‘Smart Engineering for Better World’ under the guidance of Dr. Ankush Raina, wherein 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize won by students Mr. Hriday Vasudeva (B.Tech. ME, SMVDU), Mr. Karanvir Singh (B.Tech. University of Buffalo, NY, USA), Mr. Prince Kumar shared with Mr. Saurabh Kumar (B.Tech. ECE) respectively.

Other dignitaries from SMVDU including Dr. Ajay Kaul, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Eswaramoorty Muthuswamy, Head, School of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Manish Sabraj, Head, School of Electronics and Communication congratulated budding engineers and spoke on Engineer's Day. Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted about the new Professional club from School of Mechanical on Automation and Emerging Technology (SMVDU AET Club) which was inaugurated by Chief Guest on the occasion. The vote of Thanks was delivered by Program Secretary, Dr. Mir Irfan Ul Haq, Assistant Professor from School of Mechanical Engineering, SMVDU.