Suresh Gopi on campus!

Yes, you read it right. We hosted Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism, on campus for the formal inauguration of the Centre of Future Skills (CFS) established at our campus in association with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which comes under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and the implementing partner Ethnotech Academy.

The program was conducted on 27 Feb 2026 at our Green Field Open Air Stage. The program witnessed the presence of Mr. Roji M John, MLA; Shri Eqbal Manoj C, EVP & Head - Branch Banking, Federal Bank; Dr. Pratapsinh K Desai, President, Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE); Shri Shaik Mahmood, Regional Head-South, NSDC; Smt. Jaya Radhakrishnan, President, Mookkannoor Grama Panchayat; and Dr. Kiran Rajanna, MD & CEO, Ethnotech Academy.

After a long time, we were hosting such a high-profile event on our campus. We had to make some extra planning too. The time schedule of Shri Suresh Gopi was a bit tight and he wanted to reach the campus by 8:30 AM. So we did something unusual - we changed the college timing to 8:00 AM. It was something everyone was a bit concerned about. But to everyone’s surprise, all reached the campus by 8:00 AM and everyone was seated in the grand venue by 8:30 AM.

It was an interesting function altogether. The program was charted by the officials from Ethnotech Academy. According to their custom, there were felicitations for both the hosts and guests with shawls and special garlands, followed by the lighting of the lamp. Prizes were also distributed to the students who won the hackathon organised under the banner of CFS.

Post this, Shri Suresh Gopi addressed the gathering in his own style, speaking eloquently about the initiatives of the Central Government and how the CFS will contribute significantly to the skill development of students not just from FISAT but from the entire community around it. He did not forget to give special appreciation to our student, Mr. Parthasarathy, who delivered the prayer song. He also appreciated the students for turning up early for the event.

In his own classical style he said:

“ഞാൻ ആണ് കാരണം, ഞാൻ തന്നെയാണ് കാരണം, ഞാൻ മാത്രമാണ് കാരണം”

for making the students wake up and come early to the campus.

Just before leaving, he had a brief chat with the cleaning staff of our campus, who were gathered near the exit of the Green Field near the Civil Lab and wanted to take photos with him. He praised them for keeping the campus clean, especially the toilet in the Civil Lab which he used just after the program before leaving the campus.

Yes, it was fun to have a celebrity like Shri Suresh Gopi on our campus! It was a grand function, one that will remain in the memories of FISAT forever.

Invited talk on Sustainable Building Practices

Our department conducted an invited talk on “Sustainable Building Practices in India” On 24th February 2026. The program was conducted in association with the IGBC Student Chapter of our campus. The speaker was Dr. Meril George, Professor and Dean Administration, SCMS School of Architecture and venue our Library Seminar Hall. The target audience was the final year B.Tech students.

The session started with a discussion on why sustainability is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. Dr. Meril George explained that with rapid urbanization and growing environmental concerns, the construction sector plays a major role in either harming or protecting the environment. Since buildings consume a large amount of energy, water, and materials, adopting sustainable practices is not just an option but a responsibility.

She explained the three pillars of sustainability — environmental, social, and economic. Environmental sustainability focuses on reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. Social sustainability ensures healthier living spaces and improved quality of life. Economic sustainability highlights long-term cost efficiency and resource management. She clearly conveyed that all three pillars must work together for true sustainable development.

The speaker also discussed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how sustainable construction practices contribute especially to goals like Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action. This helped us understand that sustainability in construction is connected to global development efforts.

A major part of the session focused on sustainable architecture and green buildings. She spoke about climate-responsive design, proper orientation of buildings, use of natural lighting and ventilation, water conservation methods like rainwater harvesting, and the integration of renewable energy sources. She explained that green buildings are designed not only to reduce environmental impact but also to improve indoor comfort and health for occupants.

Dr. Meril George also introduced various green building certification systems such as LEED, IGBC, GRIHA, and BREEAM. She explained how these certifications assess buildings based on energy efficiency, water management, material selection, waste reduction, and indoor environmental quality. It was interesting to learn how these rating systems encourage sustainable construction practices and provide recognition to environmentally responsible projects.

The session also covered the challenges in implementing sustainable building practices in India, including higher initial costs, lack of awareness, limited technical expertise, and reluctance to move away from conventional methods. However, she emphasized that the long-term benefits, such as reduced operational costs and environmental protection, outweigh the initial investment.

Overall, the session was informative and thought-provoking. It gave us a clearer understanding of how sustainability can be practically implemented in the construction sector. The talk encouraged us to think more responsibly as future engineers and to contribute towards building a more sustainable future.

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Roshni P Nair, S8 CE

Site visit to Marina One

On 24/02/2026, Final year students of our department had the opportunity to visit Marina One at Marine Drive, Kochi, one of the most prestigious under construction residential development projects in Kerala. It was organised by Sobha as a one day workshop titled " From Classroom to Construction Site - Real-Time Execution of High-Rise Residential Projects" with sessions on Industry Insights, guided site visit and on site live execution of construction processes. There were 30 students accompanied by two faculty members. I had the opportunity to go with the students along with our Head of the Department, Dr. Kavitha P E.

Marina One, developed by Sobha Limited in joint venture with Puravankara Limited, is Kerala’s largest waterfront residential project. Spread across 16.7 acres, the project comprises 12 towers with 30 floors each, offering 1141 super-luxury 3BHK + Study and 4BHK apartments ranging from 2317 to 3710 sq. ft. A key highlight is the 5-acre central urban park and a 46,000 sq. ft. clubhouse equipped with premium lifestyle amenities.

The session began with an informative talk by Architect Amrita, an interior designer, who spoke about the emergence of high-rise buildings in modern urban development. After lunch arranged by the company, the students were divided into groups for the guided site visit.

The students were first briefed in the gallery, where the entire construction process was clearly explained. The project uses Mivan construction technology, a fast-track method using aluminum formwork to cast walls and slabs monolithically, ensuring speed, strength, and superior finish. 

The students also explored the pile construction site, where the foundation works were in progress and the specialists explained the piling process in detail. At every location, experts provided valuable insights about the activities happening on site.



The visit was a wonderful learning experience that enhanced the understanding of real-time civil engineering practices, high-rise construction techniques, and large-scale project execution. It was truly a day filled with practical exposure and new knowledge.

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Ms. Preethi M, AP CE