Welcoming the New batch!!

Fresh batch, new faces, and renewed energy. The college welcomed the 22nd batch to B.Tech students to the campus with grand Induction ceremony on 7th September 2023. For the department, this is the thirteenth batch of B.Tech and 10th batch of M.Tech. The Induction program was attended by nearly 2000 people, students, parents and the staff members of FISAT. With the total number of admissions crossing 730, This was the largest batch of students FISAT has seen in its history of 22 years.

The department organised a one week long Induction program for the B.Tech students from 8-15 September 2023. The program aimed to prepare students for their academic journey and to revisit foundational concepts through bridge courses. Online sessions organised by KTU were also a part of the program. 

On the first day, the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the induction program and addressed the B.Tech students online. Following his address, Dr. Mini P R (Principal, FISAT) provided an overview of the various departments and the college's facilities. Students were then guided to their respective classrooms by group advisors, each class having three advisors. These advisors introduced themselves and interacted with the students, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. 

The group advisors for the S1 CE A batch included Ms. Neeraja Nair, Ms. Sharon Jacob & Mr. Eldhose P Jacob and for B batch, Mr. Jawahar Saud S, Ms. Nincy Jose and Dr. Ayswarya E P.  Post the introduction, Dr. Arun S from the Physical Education department elaborated on the significance of sports at FISAT, highlighting the presence of sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, football, cricket, and badminton. The group advisors shared a recommended daily routine, and this marked the end of the first day.

There were quite a few activities on the second day. The day commenced with a basic mathematics class conducted by Ms. Arya Chandran and Ms. Honeymol P Chacko HoD, Department of Science and Humanities. The sessions focused on calculus fundamentals. 

This was followed by a webinar by Mr Anup Nair, Managing Director, Martin Engineering Corporation which outlined the graduate student roadmap, offering insights on goal pursuit and career development. Mr. Sajan S, Department of Mechanical Engineering held a session about National Service Scheme (NSS) unit on campus and its activities and explained the rules and regulations emphasising the selection process for eligible students. The team from National Cadet Corps (NCC) FISAT unit also introduced the organisation's role in fostering character, discipline, and leadership among youth on the day. An engineering chemistry entry-level test was conducted to assess students' knowledge in chemistry on the day.

On the third day, Dr. Bejoy Varghese, Placement in charge, in his session, shared tips and strategies for placements. This was a very useful session and detailed about the eligibility for placements in terms of CGPA requirements, backlogs etc. This was followed by a session on mental health by Dr. Varghese Punnoose, Professor and Head of Department of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College, Kottayam. This session shed light on the importance of emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

The activities of Internal Compliance Committee (ICC), responsible for addressing sexual harassment complaints, was also discussed during the day. The day concluded with a creative arts and literary activity led by Ms. Neeraja Nair and Ms. Sharon Jacob, involving students in games and activities that promote teamwork and enthusiasm.

The fourth day commenced with a session on student professional bodies and their role in overseeing professional conduct and knowledge. Introduction to various student clubs occurred during the same session, highlighting their role in promoting student leadership and skill development.  The first session introduced the Association of Civil Engineers, commonly known as ACE, which was established in 2013. The primary objective of the association is to promote and nurture the ideals of the civil engineering profession. It achieves this by hosting conferences, meetings, and seminars to disseminate knowledge among civil engineers and society at large. Mr. Sreerath S, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, delivered an informative session on this topic. Thiss department specific club organises events like Civil Houses, which serve as interactions with alumni to share their insights and experiences which are highly effective for building a strong and successful career.  

This was followed by an introduction of ISTE, the Indian Society for Technical Education, led by Dr. Asha Joseph, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering. ISTE is a prominent national non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the technical education system in our country. Dr. Kavitha P E, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering introduced two clubs: IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) and ICI (Indian Concrete Institute). IGBC provides services like developing green building rating programs, certification services, and training programs. ICI is a national organization for engineering professionals engaged in concrete construction and related research. Mr. Jawahar Saud S gave a comprehensive session on BAI, the Building Association of India. BAI is the sole all-India apex representative body for civil engineering construction companies, boasting more than 20,000 members. The final session covered ASCE, the American Society of Civil Engineering, presented by Ms. Neeraja Nair. ASCE's mission is to deliver significant value to its members, enhance their careers, contribute to technological advancements, promote lifelong learning, support professionalism in the field, and encourage the development and support of civil engineers. This session provided intriguing insights into the organization.

The day also had a webinar on anti-narcotics was inaugurated by Sri M B Rajesh, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Governments, Rural Development and Excise, followed by a keynote by Dr. Jayaprakashan K P, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. These two sessions were organised by KTU. FISAT's anti-narcotics cell, responsible for addressing issues related to narcotics and conducting drug awareness programs, was also introduced after the webinar. The day also included a visit to the fab lab and the central library to showcase research facilities and available resources.

Day five started with proficiency modules in Mathematics and English. Proficiency in mathematics was discussed in terms of conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning and productive disposition. English proficiency emphasised the use of English for effective communication in spoken and written contexts. 

A webinar on the industrial scenario in Kerala was inaugurated by Sri P Rajeev, Hon’ble Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, followed by a keynote by Sri T K Jose IAS, Former Additional Chief Secretary, GoK. This session highlighted Kerala's impressive industrial growth and economic development.The session on Road Safety was addressed by Sri S Sreejith IPS, ADGP and Road Safety Commissioner, who provided valuable insights on road safety regulations. These sessions were also organised by KTU.

The final day began with proficiency modules in computer programming, covering typing skills, data entry, spreadsheet usage, and PowerPoint presentation skills. An alumni interaction session offered students advice on succeeding academically and participating in extracurricular activities. 

The second webinar was on the graduate student roadmap, presented by Dr. K. P. Sudheer, Ex Officio Principal Secretary S&T Department & Executive Vice President KSCSTE, provided guidance on postgraduate opportunities. The induction program concluded with a Valedictory Ceremony, inaugurated by Dr. R. Bindu, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, who expressed government support for the students throughout their four-year B.Tech journey.

As the student induction program concluded on the 15th, the students had a great opportunity to familiarize themselves with our campus, faculty, and academic expectations. This orientation also introduced them to a wide range of extracurricular activities and provided insights into professional development opportunities, ensuring a holistic and well-rounded educational experience. They are now ready to embark on their educational journey with confidence and enthusiasm.

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With inputs from Govind K, S1 CE-A