ConQuest 2026 - Quiz competition

There is something intensely thrilling about a quiz competition - the ticking clock, the barrage of technical questions, and that split-second decision to lock in an answer. 

On 12th September, 2026, Sarangi and I stepped into that exact arena for the LENSFED - Asianet News Engineers Awards & Conclave (ConQuest 2026), conducted at KMEA College, Edathala, Aluva, and I am happy to share that we secured the 2nd position in the B.Tech category. 

We competed in Zone 2 which had the teams from various colleges of Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. The main round featured 30 MCQ questions, after which we tied with teams from two other colleges. That led to a Tie-Breaker 1 round with 10 questions where we tied with both teams yet again, followed by Tie-Breaker 2 round with 5 questions and we finally secured the second place.

Participating in ConQuest 2026 taught us how to maintain focus and composure under intense pressure, especially when navigating consecutive tie-breakers with a zero margin for error. It reinforced the importance of seamless communication and trust between teammates to execute split-second decisions. Ultimately, surviving a gruelling multi-tier battle against top regional minds proved that staying resilient right down to the final question makes the ultimate victory all the more rewarding.

--

Somya Goswami, S5 CE

Awareness Session on Green Buildings & Certification

IGBC Student Chapter of our department, organised "Explore Green Certification", an awareness session on Green Buildings and Sustainable Construction for first year students on On 10 September 2026.

The session aimed to introduce students to the concept of Green Buildings and Green Building Certification, highlighting the importance of adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry. 

The highlight of the sessions was that it was handled by our own students, Ms. Vaishnavi Bhagath (S7 CEB) and Ms. Jiya George (S3 CEA). Vaishnavi conducted the session for S1 CEB, while Jiya presented the topic to S1 CEA. The sessions were followed by an interactive quiz, giving students an opportunity to engage with the concepts discussed.

The programme gave the audience a better understanding of how green buildings incorporate ideas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials and responsible resource management. The sessions made everyone realise that sustainability is becoming an essential part of modern civil engineering rather than simply an additional feature.

As the Student Coordinator, my role involved organising the sessions and assisting the resource persons whenever required. It was a rewarding experience to contribute to the smooth conduct of the programme and observe students engaging with a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant to civil engineering.

Thank you  Vaishnavi & Jiya George for coming forward and handling the sessions for your juniors. 

---
K S Aadith Krishna, S5CEB

Training on Total Station

We are augmenting our Survey lab with a new set of Total Stations. As part of this, the department organised a One-Day Hands on Training Programme on Total Station on 10 September 2026. 

Total stations integrate electronic angle measurement, electronic distance measurement, and data recording capabilities, enabling surveyors to carry out accurate and efficient field measurements. Total Stations have now replaced old surveying techniques including compass, plane table and theodolite survey. We have also updated our syllabus to integrate these modern equipment in our laboratory courses. 

The objective of the training was to enhancing the practical knowledge and professional competency of staff in the use of modern surveying instruments and techniques. The hands-on nature of the programme provided participants with an opportunity to understand the instrument beyond theoretical concepts. 

Mr. Thomas Joseph from Hexagon Geosystems served as the Resource Person and led the technical demonstration and practical training. The training covered the fundamental operations involved in Total Station surveying, including instrument setup, centering and levelling, target sighting, measurement of horizontal and vertical angles, distance measurement, and field data collection. The resource person explained the operational procedures and demonstrated the practical aspects of obtaining accurate measurements under field conditions. 

Participants were given opportunities to interact with the instrument and gain practical exposure to its various functions. The demonstration also helped participants understand the importance of proper instrument handling, accurate observations, and systematic field procedures in achieving reliable survey results. The interactive sessions encouraged participants to clarify their technical queries and develop greater confidence in operating the equipment.

--

Abhiya Abbas Munodl, AP, CE