Wishing You All a Joyful Onam!

Onam is here again, and our campus celebrated it in true style on 27th August with a grand splash of colour, energy, and tradition! 

The campus came alive with music, dance, and cheer, from Thiruvathira to Uriyadi, from the powerful beats of the Nasik Dhol and Kavadi to the fun and friendly Vadamvali. 

Just like every year, students turned up in coordinated outfits, each batch adding its own shade to the rainbow of celebrations.

Club FM also was a part of the celebrations sponsoring the Vadamvali.

Adding to the excitement were the vibrant contests, Malayali Manka, Purusha Kesari.

As always, we did it our way, full of joy, enthusiasm, and that special touch that makes every celebration here unforgettable.

Wishing everyone a happy, prosperous, and colorful Onam! May the spirit of unity and togetherness continue to shine through in everything we do.

Welcome to FISAT, 2025 B.Tech Batch!

Our department welcomed the 15th B.Tech batch of 122 students on 18th August 2025, marking the beginning of their academic journey. The department organised a four-day Induction Programme from 18th to 21st August to transition them into college life! The programme was thoughtfully designed to introduce the students to the academic environment, the values of the institution, and the exciting prospects awaiting them in the field of Civil Engineering.

The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by the Head of the Department, who highlighted the vision and mission of the department while encouraging students to make the most of the opportunities ahead. Faculty members introduced themselves and shared their areas of expertise, giving the students a glimpse of the diverse academic and research strengths within the department.

Across the four days, the students were given an introduction to the various professional bodies chapters and their activities, NSS, NCC, placement opportunities and awareness on narcotics and drug abuse. 

The highlight of the program was the ice breaking session conducted on the third day, the students competed as groups to build the tallest tower with newspapers. It was interesting to see the students showcase their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving talent.

On the last day, a cultural session was arranged where the students got an opportunity to showcase their talents. It was a fun filled session which helped them to appreciate and socialise with their classmates. Students expressed their excitement and gratitude for the warm welcome and shared their enthusiasm to embark on this new chapter.

The Department looks forward to nurturing this new batch of aspiring civil engineers, guiding them not only in academics but also in developing the skills and values that will make them future-ready professionals.

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Rinu J Achison, AP, CE

Vidyarambham 2025: A Grand Welcome for the New Batch at FISAT

Every academic year, we welcome our freshers with a grand function, and this year was no different - if anything, it was even more spectacular! Vidyārambham was celebrated on 18 August 2025 in our Green Field with great enthusiasm. The program was inaugurated by Mr. K.V.S. Manian, MD & CEO of Federal Bank Ltd., and the special guest of honour was Mr. Roji M. John, MLA. The Chairman and the entire management team attended the event.

The event turned out to be a tremendous success, drawing an audience of nearly 3,800 people. Parents and students of B.Tech, MCA, M.Tech, and our newly launched Integrated MCA program attended the function in large numbers.

The cultural highlights of the day included Rangapooja, an enthralling dance performance by the college dance team, and a musical show by FISAT Music Cult, both of which won the hearts of the audience. Some of the talents were from our department, viz, Amala Polly, Aleena Mariya Jojo, Adilakshmi, Gayathri P, Annmariya Babu, Roshini, and Sreelakshmi Pramod.

The guests, particularly Mr. Roji M. John, were eloquent in their praise for the institution and its achievements over the years. He pointed out that FISAT is unique in India as it is established and run by a trade union, and he expressed deep admiration for the talent and accomplishments of our students and campus community.

Our department is especially proud to have begun this academic year with full strength, 120 student restoring the department to its full glory.

Congratulations Iris!

Congrats to Iris Nanda M from our department (S3CE24B) for bagging First Place in the Mind Meld: Prompt Engineering Quiz during the July Mind Meld Session, organised by IEEE FISAT Student Branch with IEEE CS SBC FISAT.

Great to see a civil engineering student shine here, not something you see every day in IEEE events!

Thank you Abhirami!

We hosted Abhirami Vinod, 2020-24 batch B.Tech and our current student in M.Tech SECM in the alumni interaction forum, Civil House, yesterday, 14 August 2025. Presently she is working as Billing Engineer at Nina Percept Pvt. Ltd. Our faculty member Ms. Preethi introduced Abhirami and invited her to share her experience with the juniors. The formal welcome was presented by Somya Goswami of S3 CEB. Students from the third semester B.Tech attended the session.

Abhirami started the session by sharing insights on the importance of Civil Engineering in today’s world. She gave guidance for academics and industrial placements. She said,”Don’t study just for marks. Marks matters but knowledge matters more. Your attitude is everything. Nobody cares about your CGPA but your attitude". 

Her words focused more on how to develop a positive attitude and advised to say “no” in a polite manner. She said, “The recruiters coming from reputed companies are professionals and they expect their employees to be a professional too!”. She talked about the importance of preparing for an interview and explained it with her real life experiences and discussed few common but important interview questions. 

There were several question during the interaction from the audience. Students asked about the toughest question during an interview, the software knowledge that are important, expectations from employers etc. According to Abhirami, knowledge in software such as BIM, ERP, AutoCAD and SAP are very useful for getting a job. She also explained how Microsoft Excel plays an important role in estimating construction costs.

Thank you Abhirami for your time!

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Riddhi Sara Reji, S3CEB

CIAL solar plant visit

As part of the our college level Industry Institute Interaction Cell (IIIC) initiative, students from final year and faculty members visited the Cochin International Airport’s (CIAL) solar power facility on August 11, 2025. 

Students and faculty members from our department were also part of the team that visited the facility. 

CIAL holds a pioneering distinction as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, achieving complete operational power neutrality since 2015.

The visit was very informative and helped students understand how solar power works on a large scale and why renewable energy is important. 

Asianet on campus - Yuvajanolsavam

Yuvajanolsavam, a campus series broadcast by Asianet News, is an event that focuses on student life, campus vibes, and youth related discussions and activities. It features various segments, including interactive discussions, fun activities, and cultural events held at different colleges. 

The team from Asianet visited our campus and recorded an episode on August 11 2025. Final-year students from our department were really excited to take part in the program and happily came forward to showcase their talents during the shooting.

It hasn’t aired yet, but students all excited and looking forward to seeing it when it broadcasts!

The Woman behind the Steel Arc- Dr. G Madhavi Latha

It’s not every day you get to meet someone who changes the way you look at engineering. The Kochi International Foundation (KIF) brought to Kochi none other than Dr. Madhavi Latha - the driving force behind the iconic Steel Arch of the newly inaugurated Chenab Bridge. On 11 August 2025, at the RECCA Club in Kakkanad, I joined 10 of our fist year M.Tech students for a day that blended inspiration, engineering brilliance, and stories from one of the most challenging bridge projects in the world. 

The talk began with a brief introduction about Dr. Madhavi Latha’s journey. She is the first engineer from her village and first female faculty in the Civil Department at IISc, Bangalore. Her journey and the path that lead her into building the Chenab bridge is truly remarkable. It took her team 17 years to build the world’s tallest railway bridge. Learning first hand the challenges and uncertainties encountered by the team in executing the project, blew our minds.

She spoke eloquently about the project and the challenges faced. The river flows into Pakistan and hence, the area is politically sensitive. They had to keep every project aspect like dumping the earthwork, blasting etc considering the political sensitivity. There were environmental considerations as well and hence, they disposed off the waste/earthwork carefully. The earthwork removed and the subsequent loading by the arch bridge was considerably less, hence less challenging. The soil conditions, topography and the fact that it's part of the Indian plate crashing into the eurasian plate meant the complete opposite. The soil conditions were such that proper cores couldn’t be obtained from bore holes. The soil is soft, consisting of dolomite and shale. It also meant different types of joints leading to the threat of slope instability and landslides. They employed techniques shotcreting, soil nailing, preblasting, grouting etc as when required. The project challenges kept changing at every phase and they received very different analysis from different experts. They had to validate at every step by conducting different tests (like plate load). The team had to innovate and come up with ingenious solutions at every challenge thrown at them. She calls their approach- ‘design as you go’.

The fact that the team under her leadership was able to pull this off is a marvel of engineering is inspiring. It is also a testament to the success of global partnerships. 

I hope that her journey and this bridge inspires generations to come.

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Neeraja Nair, AP, CE

Congratulations S6 & S4 toppers

It’s result season again, with a mix of happy news and lessons learned. Many students achieved strong results, and we are proud of their hard work. Special congratulations to the toppers of the University Exams for S6 and S4 B.Tech. Your dedication and effort truly stand out.

Thank you Stan!

We are hosting back to back sessions by Alumni through Civil House. This time, Stan Thomas (2013-17) was the speaker. 

Stan is currently working as Assistant Project Manager at Pomerleau Inc., Surrey, British Columbia. He joined online today, 9 August 2025 around 11:00AM IST. The audience was final year students of B.Tech. 

Annmariya Babu from S7 CEA welcomed and introduced Stan to the audience. After completing B.Tech from our campus, Stan did his masters in Project & Construction Management from University of British Coloumbia, Canada. He has been working in Canada since then.

During his session, Stan shared his experience and discussed the technically complex Stanley Park project, highlighting its depth and existing 1920s water infrastructure. 

He outlined typical project management career paths in Canada, from project coordinator to vice president, noting that becoming a VP can take 10-20 years. He emphasised the importance of communication skills, software proficiency, and industry experience.

Stan also discussed skilled trades, such as electricians and plumbers, and the value of Red Seal certification. He highlighted the industry's focus on work-life balance, respect for all roles, and rewarding career progression based on performance in Canada. 

Stan advised students to research universities and programs thoroughly, considering factors like industry focus, research opportunities, and costs before applying for masters. He also recommended gaining industry experience before pursuing a Master's degree and stressed the importance of communication skill in career advancement.

Thank you Stan for your time!
--
Annmariya Babu, S7CE

Thank you Meghna!

On 8 August 2025 our department hosted our proud alumni Ms. Meghna Manohar (2014-18 B.Tech) who is currently working as the Regional Key Account Manager at Hilti India. This was the third program under the banner of Civil House - our alumni interaction programs.

Meghna holds a postgraduate degree from NICMAR, Pune and brings over four and a half years of experience in technical sales and  solution selling.

The event was designed to help students explore the wide range of career opportunities in civil engineering, plan careers based on personal interests, learn about useful certifications, understand the  role of internships, and get insights into the latest industry trends and interview processes.

Meghna spoke about the diversity of roles available in the field, including project management, QA/QC, procurement, consulting, and sustainable design, advising students to choose paths that truly interest them.

She stressed the importance of LinkedIn as a tool for networking, job searching, and engaging with industry content, encouraging students to start building their professional presence early.

Highlighting the value of additional credentials, she recommended certifications like LEED, PMP, and CAPM to improve employability and demonstrate professional commitment. Her advice on interviews was both practical and eye-opening: stay informed on current affairs and industry developments, be ready for group discussions that assess leadership and communication, understand psychometric tests, and present skills confidently without exaggeration. 

Meghna reminded students that internships are key to gaining hands-on experience and that skills like communication, leadership, and networking are essential for career growth alongside technical expertise.

The session left students motivated and better prepared to take control of their career paths. 

Many appreciated her candid approach and the practical tips she offered. Organized by student coordinators Muhammed Sahil A and Raisa Ummer, along with faculty coordinators Dr. Kavitha P.E (Head of Department), Ms. Preethi M, and Ms. Rajalakshmi T.R (Assistant Professors), the event saw participation from 71 students from S5 and S7 B.Tech and proved to be both informative and inspiring.

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Raisa Ummer, S5 CE

Technical Talk on Geospatial Technology driven Disaster Management

Since 2018, our department has had the honour of a formal association with the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre (KSREC). KSREC was established in 1995 by the Government of Kerala Under the aegis of National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS). KSREC is an autonomous body under Department of Planning & Economic Affairs for carrying out research, training, awareness programmes and other related activities in the field of application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Land and Water Resources management, environmental monitoring and upkeep. The department has undertaken several projects and hosted workshops and events over the years under this MoU.

On 6th August, a technical talk on the topic “Geospatial Technology driven Disaster Management" was conducted in our seminar hall. Dr. Suresh Francis, Senior Scientist at KSREC was the resource person. Dr. Suresh has more than 25 years of experience in applied research and remote sensing-based environmental studies. He is currently a Member of several State level Advisory Committees and Steering committees in the geospatial arena. His session was very detailed and touched upon many practical applications of geo spatial technologies and its impact on society, governance and disaster management. Nearly 120 students from S5 and S7 attended the session. The talk was very much informative, the rich content he shared during the talk is captured below.

Dr. Suresh started his talk by giving examples of how location information is being used in various situations through common examples of uber, swiggy where location information is used to offer various services. Through a story telling manner he discussed how google knows well about a person than a person himself with the location data provided by the person through different apps like smart watches, smart phones etc.

Further he discussed how Geospatial technology being the fourth industrial revolution has now been emerging as a powerful tool for analysing various aspects of disaster management. Disasters, both natural and man-made, are an inescapable part of our environment. In a country like India where 57% of the land is earthquake-prone, 68% is drought-prone, and large parts are vulnerable to floods, cyclones, and landslides, the need for precise, scalable, and real-time disaster management solutions is more critical than ever. This is where geospatial technologies like Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) come into play.Effective disaster management must encompass planning, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery all of which can be significantly enhanced with geospatial intelligence.

He discussed the applications of remote sensing in the fields of Multi-hazard Zonation at cadastral levels, Monitoring Seismic Activity using epicentre mapping, Flood & Cyclone Hazard Analysis, Landslide Susceptibility Zonation using Machine Learning. He showed case studies on how Machine learning models such as Logistic Regression,Support Vector Machine (SVM),Decision Trees,Random Forest, XGBoost can be used to map and predict landslide susceptibility in Kerala. With special reference to landslides he has discussed the ongoing works carried out by Kerala state such as Soil Piping and Land Displacement Monitoring (LDM) where soil piping often precedes landslides. ALOS SAR data and Differential Split-band Interferogram method were used to determine Subsidence rate which was ranging from 1 mm to 78 mm across 5 major zones in Kerala. He discussed about the upcoming Indian satellite mission to be launched, NISAR (NASA‑ISRO), which will provide high-frequency SAR data for global hazard mapping including landslides and subsidence.

He pinpointed how the paddy areas were encroached by buildings over the years which is to be the fundamental reason for flooding in Kerala with help of satellite images. By overlaying layers such as Land use, Building footprints, lithology, roads, canals, and water bodies planners can perform query analysis, identify valley fills, and model flood scenarios more accurately. This integrated geospatial approach helps mitigate losses and enables smarter disaster response.

An initiative by KSREC, features of GRAMAM (Grassroot Level Mapping and Monitoring System) was demonstrated. It is a pioneering participatory mapping initiative that empowers local communities through conduction of Land Surveys: (Plot boundaries, land use, cadastral overlays), Water Surveys: (Well inventory (20.5 lakh wells), rivers, and water bodies), Infrastructure Mapping (Roads, culverts, power lines, and drainage), Recreational & Utility Mapping (Schools, sports grounds, and power utilities) and Challenge & Damage Mapping: Natural and man-made threats, post-disaster loss estimation.Over 5,000 volunteers were employed for mapping 1.57 lakh km of local roads.

Dr. Suresh concluded his talk by explaining how the convergence of AI, remote sensing, and participatory GIS is revolutionising to plan, and respond to disasters. With projects like LDM and GRAMAM, Kerala is setting an example for data-driven resilience.From landslide susceptibility mapping to flood response, and real-time InSAR monitoring to community-led data collection, geospatial technology is transforming disaster management across Kerala and India. As climate risks escalate, these tools - and community participation - will be vital not just to survive, but to adapt and thrive.

The session concluded with a group photo and a student activity. In this activity, students were asked to map the college ground using the “Area of Interest” application developed by KSREC. The first three students to submit their work were rewarded with food coupons!!

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Ms. Abhiya Abbas Mundol, AP, CE

Civilians in NCC!

The FISAT NCC Unit conducted its annual Rank Promotion Ceremony on 31 July 2025, honouring cadets for their exceptional dedication to NCC activities and academic excellence. The promotions were awarded based on the results of a written examination and drill
assessment.

From our department, the following cadets were also honored among others

> Lcpl Adhithyan R Nambiar (S5CE) was promoted to Corporal (Cpl)
> Cdt Sarangi P S (S3CE) was promoted to Lance Corporal (Lcpl)

The ranks were officially conferred by the Associate NCC Officer (ANO) of FISAT, in the presence of the Chairman and Principal.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the cadets on their well-deserved success and wish them continued excellence in their journey ahead!

Thank you Devadathan!

The department hosted Devadathan K S, 2015-2019 batch B.Tech in the second session of Civil House conducted on 31st of July. Devadathan is currently working as the Senior Project Officer at Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Devadathan holds a masters in Construction Project Management from Deakin University. He joined online and the interaction was held in the seminar hall of our department. Sreenanda, S7 CE introduced Devadathan and the HoD Dr Kavitha and faculty memebr Ms. Preethi joined in welcoming him for the session. More than 50 students attended the session.

The session provided valuable insights into the professional world, particularly in the field of project management. Devadathan shared his personal journey from being a student at our institution to becoming a successful professional overseas. He elaborated on the key responsibilities and tasks handled by a project manager, and the diverse challenges encountered in a dynamic work environment.

One of the most enriching parts of the session was his honest sharing of the obstacles he faced during his career. His real-life experiences offered a clear picture of how theoretical knowledge is applied in practical scenarios and how critical thinking and leadership skills are essential for managing teams and delivering successful projects.

During the interactive Q&A session, students raised several questions, the first of which was about interview experiences. Devadathan shared that interviewers often ask situational-based questions to assess real-time decision-making and problem-solving skills. He recommended attending interviews offline, whenever possible as it gives candidates a better opportunity to showcase their confidence and interpersonal skills.

He further spoke about the work environment in Australia, mentioning how climate conditions vary across regions and how one must adapt accordingly. He also provided important information regarding exams and funding options required to pursue higher studies or professional opportunities abroad. His insights on planning, preparation, and staying informed were especially beneficial for students aspiring to work internationally.

A particularly inspiring part of the session was when he spoke about his journey through multiple rejections. He openly shared that facing rejections was never easy, but it taught him resilience and self-reliance. He described how handling everything independently helped him grow, shape his career, and become a better version of himself.

The alumnus also highlighted the importance of technical skills in the engineering field. He discussed the growing relevance of engineering software and encouraged students to become proficient in commonly used tools. Among them, he specifically mentioned the value of Microsoft Excel and Word, stating that almost every company appreciates candidates who are skilled in these tools. He noted that Excel, in particular, is indispensable for handling data, tracking projects, and simplifying complex calculations.

Overall, the session was highly informative and inspiring. It not only motivated students to pursue their career goals with determination but also highlighted the importance of networking and learning from experiences. We thank our alumnus for taking the time to engage with us and share his valuable insights.

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Sreelakshmi Pramod, S7 CEB

Department Advisory Committee

The Department Advisory Committee (DAC) serves as an important body that guides the academic and developmental activities of the department. Comprising faculty members, industry experts, alumni, student representatives, and other stakeholders, the committee meets annually to review the department’s progress and to provide strategic directions for the future. 

The external members in our committee are Dr. Subha V (Professor, CUSAT), Er. C. Prathapmohan Nair (International Consultant, UN‑CCD), Mr. Biji Stephen (Founder Chairman, BAI, Angamaly), Ms. Syni Bennyson (Assistant Engineer, Retd., KSEB–Civil) - Parent nominee, and our alumni Ms. Ria Mariam Sabu, TATA Projects, all of whom bring valuable perspectives to enrich the department’s journey. The internal members include the Principal, Vice Principal, Dean, HoD, IQAC Coordinator, Senior faculty members of the department and a nominated student from final year.

The 10th Annual Meeting of the DAC was held on 31 July 2025. The major agenda included a review of the activities conducted during 2024-2025 and the planning of initiatives for the upcoming academic year and the revision of the department vision and mission statements.

The members shared valuable suggestions to strengthen the department’s activities during the meeting. Some of the suggestions included introducing hands‑on learning to make courses industry‑oriented and improve student employability, integrating sustainability across projects and teaching and creating greater awareness about workplace ethics and moral practices. The members also pointed out the need for nurturing a passion for learning and reminding students that their knowledge should benefit society and including more interactions with industry experts to help students better understand job expectations and career pathways.

With such thoughtful guidance, the department looks forward to creating even more meaningful learning experiences for our students in the year ahead.

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Rinu J Achison, AP, CE