ISFMG 2026

The International Symposium on Field Monitoring in Geomechanics (ISFMG) is a well-established international symposium that began in Switzerland in 1977. Held once every four years, the symposium has since been hosted in several countries, including Italy, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. The 12th edition of ISFMG was hosted by IIT Indore from 6–10 August 2026, jointly organised by IIT Indore and the Indian Geotechnical Society.

The symposium focuses on the specialised area of field monitoring and measurements in geomechanics and brings together academicians, consultants, practising engineers, and manufacturers and suppliers of monitoring and measurement equipment from across the world.

Two faculty members from our department, Dr. Unni Kartha G. and Ms. Rajalakshmi, attended the symposium and presented a paper titled “Field Study on Ground Vibrations from Rock Blasting and Their Impact on Nearby Infrastructure.” The presentation provided an opportunity to discuss the work with senior academicians and industry professionals. The paper also led to useful interactions with members of the audience, including Prof. Ikuo Towhata of the University of Tokyo.


The symposium also provided opportunities to interact with several senior academicians and professionals, including Prof. Neelima Satyam, Convenor of the symposium, Dr. Anil Joseph, Prof. S. K. Prasad, Prof. M. R. Madhav, and Prof. Muralikrishna, among others. 

Another important feature of the symposium was the series of keynote lectures by leading academicians and industry professionals from different parts of the world. The technical sessions and exhibitions also provided exposure to current developments, instrumentation, monitoring techniques, and technologies being used in the field of geomechanics.

Participating in ISFMG 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to present our research, interact with experts in the field, and gain an understanding of recent developments and practices in field monitoring and geomechanics. It was inspiring too.

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Rajalakshmi T R, AP CE

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