BIM Awareness Session: Building the Future with Digital Construction

Our Department, in association with the ISTE Chapter, hosted a BIM Fast Track Awareness Session in collaboration with BIM Cafe Learning Hub on 29 July 2026. The programme was conducted in the Advanced Computing Lab with the objective of familiarising students with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its growing role in the construction industry.

The programme was organised in two parts, comprising of a BIM drafting competition followed by a technical awareness session. The drafting competition was conducted for students from the second, third and fourth years of Civil Engineering. Participants were provided with a given plan and were required to develop its 3D model using drafting software Autodesk Revit or AutoCAD. The one hour competition saw 33 participants. Ms. Uma Shankar, BIM Expert and Industry Professional, served as the moderator for the programme and guided the participants during the competition. The activity provided students with hands-on exposure to digital drafting and modelling tools and encouraged them to explore BIM-based approaches to construction planning and design.

The Technical awareness session, “Building the Future with Digital Construction,” focused on the fundamentals and applications of Building Information Modelling in the construction sector. The session was led by Ms. Anitha Shamla, Managing Director, DDG BIM Services Pvt. Ltd. She introduced the students to the concept of BIM and highlighted its significance in transforming conventional construction practices through digital technologies. The session provided insights into the role of BIM in improving collaboration, coordination, visualisation and efficiency throughout the construction lifecycle.

The combination of the practical drafting competition and the expert-led awareness session helped bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practices in BIM and digital construction. The BIM Fast Track Awareness Session was a meaningful initiative towards enhancing students’ awareness of emerging digital technologies and preparing them for the evolving demands of the construction industry.

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Dr. Asha Joseph, Professor, CE

Stepping into the NEST Team: A Journey of Intentional Growth

Joining the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) initially started as a simple desire to engage more with campus life and connect with peers. Serving as the Student Lead for IEDC FISAT completely transformed that perspective, fuelling a drive to lead impactful initiatives and elevate our campus startup ecosystem.

When applications opened for the NEST Team - a state-level initiative supported by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) across college-level higher education institutions in Kerala, the prospect felt ambitious. Encouraged by friends, I submitted my application. Passing the initial state-wide screening was a major validation, but the journey wasn't without hurdles.

"On the day of the final interview, amidst a chaotic schedule, I almost missed the opportunity entirely. Driven by the effort already invested, I took the call sitting on a campus staircase under flickering lights." Receiving the selection notification afterward made the entire process surreal. Representing FISAT in the NEST Team is both an honour and a reminder that stepping out of comfort zones pays off. 

I am eager to bring these experiences back to our institution and continue fostering innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial growth.

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Amina Farhath, S7 CE

Beyond tomorrow - Conference by Kerala Startup Mission

Me and three of my friends, Amina Farhath, Agnal Joby and Athul C G had the opportunity to attend the conference "Beyond Tomorrow", centered on the theme creative economy which took place at KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission), Kochi on August 4, 2026. 

The conference featured three distinct panel discussions. The first panel, titled "Creative Industries & AI: New frontiers of imagination," included speaker Actor Raveendran, moderator Sadhana Rao, and panelists Sanjoy K Roy, Asha Batra, and Joe Cyril. The second panel, "Creating with AI: Cinema & the creative industries," was moderated by Asad Lalljee with panelists Dr. C.S. Venkiteswaran, Firoz Merchant, and Xerxes Ranina. The third and final panel, "The New Creative Canvas: AI Publishing & the Future of Art," was moderated by Dr. Tany Abraham and featured panelists Jayant Mathew, Murali Cheiroth, Devika MS, and Sluba Paul. Across all these sessions, key insights explored the extent of AI's growth within creative fields and how artificial intelligence can be integrated into the creative industry without sacrificing the beauty of art.

Despite the enthusiasm for AI as a revolutionary tool in the creative economy, it ultimately functions as a synthetic echo chamber rather than a true creative canvas. Because it inherently lacks human intentionality, lived experience, and emotional depth, AI remains an inadequate and potentially detrimental substitute for genuine human artistry, I felt.

Attending the conference and listening to these people was a great experience for us. It has kindled a lot of contradicting thoughts in me!

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Abiram B Krishna, S7 CE