K K Birla Goa Campus Semester-Iinotes 2014-15
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ISSUE 11 Semester-II notes 2014-15 bitscan K K Birla Goa Campus from the editor Change of the guard marked the Second Semester of With a number of distinguished visitors, insightful been the Task Force members and leaders of the Prof. Walter Lewin's visit, achievements by students 2014-15 at the BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus. Prof. events, faculty and student achievements, etc., the project. As a part of this project, a centralized e-mail and faculty members, international visits by faculty Sasikumar Punnekatt took over charge as the Director campus has been marching further towards making it solution for over 30,000 users of BITS campuses and members for paper presentations and university/ from Prof. K.E. Raman on 25th February 2015. Earlier in the most desirable academic and research destination WILP students using google has been provided. User is industry immersion, their publications in national and the semester, Prof. Ashwin Srinivasan joined the campus for students, faculty and staff. given 25 GB mail box size and 5 GB file storage.Waves, international journals, major festivals Quark and Spree, as Deputy Director on 29th January 2015. the all-India cultural festival celebrated its 12th edition collaborations with Indian Navy and Pollution Control The semester also witnessed the visits of eminent As you are aware, our endeavor at BITScan is to present with gusto and dedication. Board, societal initiatives by Nirmaan, etc., marked the persons such as Prof. Jean-Marie LEHN (Nobel to you all the significant happenings of each semester. semester II, 2013-14. Laureate), H.E. Mr. François Richier, French We expect your active cooperation in sharing with us the SPICMACAY Goa State Convention 2012 was Ambassador and many reputed academicians and necessary data so that we can cover almost all events meticulously organized on campus by a team of researchers who enriched and inspired students and and achievements. dedicated faculty members and students. faculty members through insightful interactions. Quark’15 Inauguration As a part of the university initiative two new centers were established during the semester : Teaching Learning Centre (TLC) and Centre for Innovation , Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE). These centers would contribute to enriching the academic environment and enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit among the students. Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkatt taking charge from Prof. K.E. Raman MoU signing between BITS Goa and the India Navy Faculty members from various departments visited Smt. Bombay Jayashree at the Auditorium countries abroad in connection with their research endeavors and also delivered invited talks at various educational institutions. They published their research papers in national and international journals and acted as editors, reviewers, member of jury, etc., on invitation. Such invitations bring forth the recognition received by the faculty. Quark 2015 and Spree 2015, the annual techno management festival and the sports festival received an overwhelming response from the student community across the nation. Conferences and workshops organized by the departments not only enriched the faculty and students but also expanded the network of contacts. 2 Semester II 2014-15 bitscan, K K Birla Goa Campus Leadership Change Visit by Prof. Jean-Marie LEHN (Nobel Laureate), ISIS, Université CONVOCATION 2014 Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat took over as Director, BITS de Strasbourg, France Pilani, KK Birla Goa Campus on 25th February 2015. He A lecture and an interactive session by Prof. Jean-Marie Education, Right Education and Education for all. He joined as the Director and Sr. Professor (Computer Lehn, Institute of Supramolecular Science and talked about massive Expansion, Inclusion and Excellence, the tripod on which we should move on in Science & Information Systems). Prof. Punnekkat took Engineering, University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg the Education sector. He also appreciated the tireless charge from Prof. K. E. Raman who had over 37 years of was held at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus on 21st efforts put forth by the top ranking Institution BITS Pilani. experience at BITS Pilani in various capacities. Through February 2015. Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, together the telepresence facility, Vice Chancellor Prof. B. N. Jain with Charles J. Pedersen and Donald J. Cram, was Dr. R.A. Mashelkar with Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.N. Jain joined from Pilani on the occasion of formal handing over awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1987 for their of the charge. development and use of molecules with structure- Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat holds a D.Phil. in Computer specific interactions of high selectivity. This chemical Science (1997) from University of York, UK and has over basis of “molecular recognition” also plays a Prize Distribution by Prof. K.E. Raman 30 years rich experience in academics, research & fundamental role in biological processes. administration. His research & development experience At BITS Goa Prof. Lehn interacted with the Director, as a Scientist at Indian Space Research Organisation Prof.K.E.Raman, Deputy Director, Prof. Ashwin (1984-2004) and international academic experience as Srinivasan, Dean SRCD, Prof. Sunil Bhand, Dean Professor of Dependable Software Engineering at Administration, Prof. D. M. Kulkarni and Faculty of the Director K.E. Raman addressing the graduates. School of Innovation, Design & Engineering, Malardalen Department of Chemistry. Prof. R.N Behera, HOD, University, Sweden (since 2007) are of noteworthy Chemistry gave an overview of the Research projects of mention. the Department. Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat has numerous awards and Prof. Lehn in his lecture “From Matter to Life: honours to his credit. An excellent academician & Presenting the Convocation Report 2014, Prof. B.N. Chemistry? Chemistry!” spoke about the evolution of researcher, Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat has authored Jain, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani reaffirmed the long- the universe leading to more and more complex matter books, book chapters and over 100 research articles, term vision to be listed as one of India's top 3 research- through self-organization, up to living and thinking undertaken significant R&D projects, received the led technical Institutes by the academic year 2015 – 16. matter. Animate as well as inanimate matter, living prestigious commonwealth scholarship award and The Vice Chancellor also talked about big-ticket organisms as well as materials, are formed of molecules occupied scientific / administrative lead roles in various imperatives as part of BITS Pilani's “Mission 2015”, such and of the organized entities resulting from the large European and Swedish research and educational as faculty and staff development, industry engagement, interaction of molecules with each other. He says that it projects. innovation and entrepreneurship, internalisation, inter- is Chemistry that provides the bridge between the Prof. K E Raman introduced the new Director to the disciplinary research, technology enablement and molecules of inanimate matter and the highly complex senior officials of the campus and also briefed him on the quality assessment and assurance. molecular architectures and systems which make up ongoing activities. Prof. Sasikumar praised Prof. Raman Dr. R.A. Mashelkar addressing the graduates and the BITS-Goa team for their efforts in building the living organisms. campus, and subsequently interacted with the officials. Molecular chemistry has developed a very powerful set While taking over as Director and Sr. Professor of BITS of methods for constructing ever more complex Pilani, K K Birla Goa campus, Prof. Sasikumar Punnekkat molecules. Supramolecular chemistry seeks to control said "BITS is known for its excellence in undergraduate the formation of molecular assemblies by means of the education, and envisions to be a top ranked institution interactions between the partners. both nationally and internationally by 2020. I feel The talk was followed by an interactive session with the Dr. Mashelkar unveiling the Mural of late Shri G.D. Birla honoured to be chosen to lead BITS-Goa and aim to faculty and students. strengthen its research profile, industrial collaborations Prof. Jean Marie Lehn and international networks synergistically with its educational programs in the coming years" Semester II 2014-15 bitscan, K K Birla Goa Campus 3 Dr. R.A. Mashelkar with Gold Medalist Namita Paul Visit of French Ambassador, Teaching Learning Centre(TLC) H.E. Mr. François Richier to The Institute has set up Teaching Learning Centre BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus (TLC). It will be involved in improving the overall The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the teaching - learning environment at BITS Pilani and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate headed by a Professor-in-charge, who will be supported Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Paris in December by Faculty-in-charges from all the four campuses of this year. An effective and equitable international BITS Pilani. There will be a few nucleus members in Chemical Engineering Day agreement will be critical for reducing greenhouse gas each campus to support the Faculty-in-charge. The emissions to limit global temperature rise to 2 degree Centre will carry out research on innovative teaching Celsius and for supporting adaptation to climate impacts. pedagogy, collection of good practices of teaching France, as the host and chair of the COP21 is committed learning from all over the world and disseminate among to the role of an impartial