The symposium was organized in honour of Prof. T. M. Madhavan Pillai and Prof. M. Ameen of the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Calicut, who will be superannuating from the NIT's service this year. The programme recognized their distinguished and valuable contributions to teaching, research, and academic administration over the years.
The technical sessions covered a wide range of contemporary topics related to structural steel, sustainable construction, pre-engineered buildings, life-cycle assessment, and transportation infrastructure. Prof. A. Meher Prasad, Retired Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, delivered the opening technical talk, setting the context for the discussions on resilient steel infrastructure.
Mr. Shiladitya Chanda, Deputy General Manager (Civil & Structural), delivered a session on “Structural Steel for Resilient Infrastructure: Balancing Performance, Speed and Economy.” The session highlighted the advantages of structural steel in achieving efficient, durable, and economical infrastructure while meeting the demands of modern construction.
The session by Dr. M. Nithyadharan, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Tirupati, on “Pre-Engineered Steel Building Systems: From Concept to Practice,” provided valuable insights into the design, construction, and practical implementation of pre-engineered steel building systems.
The industry sessions conducted by the sponsors and event partners were also highly informative and technically engaging. Mr. Rishav Dutta, Assistant Manager (Civil & Structural), presented “Green Building Frameworks and Life Cycle Assessment for Resilient Steel Structures.” The session highlighted the increasing importance of sustainability, green building principles, and life-cycle assessment in the development of resilient steel structures.
Another technically significant session was delivered by Mr. Satyanarayana V.V. Koya, Technical Director – Bridges, Jacobs, on “Advancements in Steel Structures for Transportation Infrastructure.” The presentation provided an overview of recent advancements and innovative approaches in steel structures used for transportation infrastructure.
The presentations by the event partners were particularly engaging, as they provided participants with practical exposure to ongoing and completed projects, innovative construction practices, advanced technologies, and contemporary solutions adopted in the steel construction industry. The real-world examples and project experiences presented by the industry representatives captured the attention of the participants and helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and professional practice.
The symposium offered the participating students an excellent opportunity to interact with experts from leading academic and professional institutions and to gain a better understanding of the latest developments in structural steel engineering. Exposure to pre-engineered building systems, sustainable construction, life-cycle assessment, advanced steel structures, and industry practices was particularly valuable for the final-year students as they prepare to enter the professional field.
The programme concluded with the valedictory and photo session, followed by a special felicitation ceremony for Prof. T. M. Madhavan Pillai, marking a fitting tribute to his distinguished service and contributions to the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Calicut.
The participation in this technically enriching programme provided valuable academic and professional exposure while also offering an opportunity to be part of a memorable occasion honouring two distinguished academicians of NIT Calicut.
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Dr. Asha Joseph, Professor, CE
