AISAT-GRACE Award for the best BTech Project in Civil Engineering

The final year students of 2020-23 batch, Abu Faiz M H, Adal Babu, Gouri R Krishna, and Ashish Varghese, guided by Ms Preethi M, AP, CE won the second position in the AISAT-GRACE Award for the best BTech Project in Civil Engineering for their project titled “An investigation on role of redmud in improving concrete durability against corrosion and chloride intrusion”.  It was a proud moment for the department to see our students achieve this honour. The award ceremony was held on 2nd November 2024 at Sree Gokulam Convention Centre, Kochi. 

The ceremony was held as part of  the 13th Praphulla Kumar Annual Lecture jointly organised by Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) - Kochi Chapter and Association of Piling Specialists(aps), Kochi. 

After an inspirational inauguration of the event, the title lecture was delivered by Dr. G L Sivakumar Babu, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. He spoke about the influence of climate change on embankments and hydrological structures and the increased demand it is placing on our outdated systems. The need for adopting latest technologies in design and the possibility of innovation in measurement systems was emphasised by him. He urged the young generation of engineers to take the lead in these opportunities of the future. 

It was after the invited lecture that the IGS-AISAT award for best MTech in Geotechnical Engineering in Kerala and the AISAT-GRACE Award for the best BTech Project in Civil Engineering were announced.

We also ran into our alumni Mr. Vishal Krishna who is working professional now. It was truly a fruitful meeting with a mix of alumni, students and faculty. Hope that more such happy run-ins happen in upcoming events!

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Ms. Neeraja Nair, AP CE.

Industrial visit and tour

The students of seventh semester BTech of the Department went for an industrial visit to Prime Steel Industry and Road Construction work by Amala Constructions during 2nd to 7th October 2024. 

The team consisted of 78 students and 6 faculty from the department. The students got an opportunity to see the construction work and equipments firsthand which helped them to have a hands on experience on what they have studied in their classroom sessions.

The team also had a time of fun and enjoyment while visiting places like Chickmagallur, Dandeli and Gokharna. Be it the jeep trekking at Chikmagalur or the water sports at Dandeli, these experiences truly strengthened their bond.

The serene beaches of Gokharna was a welcome change from the regular classroom sessions and stress of studies. The trip ended with a visit to the famous Murudeswar temple where they could understand the architecture and construction of the tall structure.

The trip was enlighting as well as a chance to form a closer connection with their batchmates as they move out of campus at the end of the academic year
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Rinu J Achison, AP CE

Orientation in Interior Design

The department, in collaboration with Karthas Academy, the Association of Civil Engineers (ACE), ASCE FISAT Student Chapter, and IIC FISAT, hosted an insightful expert talk titled "Orientation in Interior Design" On September 30, 2024.

Held in the Seminar Hall of the Civil Engineering Department at FISAT, this event attracted students and faculty members interested in understanding the foundational aspects of interior design. The session was conducted by Ar. Kochuthommen Mathew, Principal Architect of Kochuthommen Associates, and Dr. Rema S Kartha, Managing Director of the School of Interior Design at Karthas Academy.

Following the introduction by Dr. Jiji Antony, Professor and Head, the speakers introduced the fundamental aspects of interior design, particularly focusing on the opportunities for students who undertake add-on courses in this specialised field. This segment aimed to broaden the career outlook for civil engineering students by equipping them with additional skills and a deeper understanding of interior aesthetics. 

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around distinguishing between functionality and aesthetics within buildings. The speakers engaged the audience with practical examples to illustrate how functional elements, such as layout and ergonomics, differ from aesthetic aspects like color, texture, and ambiance.

To session also included an interactive activity that allowed students to apply what they had learned. Each participant received a 6×6 paper layout of a room and was asked to design a functional room by marking spaces for windows, doors, furniture, and a dressing area. This exercise encouraged students to utilise spatial planning skills, emphasising the importance of balancing functionality with aesthetic appeal. The session concluded with a brief Q&A, during which students sought additional clarification and presented their layouts for feedback. The speakers offered constructive guidance, encouraging students to continue exploring interior design principles.

Overall, the event provided a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of interior design, particularly the integration of functionality and aesthetics, while the hands-on layout activity and project showcase gave students a practical perspective on spatial arrangement and creativity. This session was an invaluable opportunity for participants to gain real-world insights and engage directly with experts in the field.