Professor Saifur Rahman is the founding director of the Advanced Research Institute at Virginia Tech, USA. He is IEEE President USA.  He also directs the Center for Energy and the Global Environment at the university. He is a distinguished Life Fellow of the IEEE and recipient of the prestigious IEEE Millennium Medal. In 2018 and 2019, he held the notable position of President of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES). He also founded BEM Controls, LLC, a US-based building energy management software company. Additionally, he chaired the US National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for International Science and Engineering from 2010 to 2013.

Expressing his strong viewpoints on sustainability and the need to address climate change, he said, “I wish to discuss why it is a challenge to sustain the climate and why it is important. If you see what’s happening today, there are unprecedented disasters. Issues like the heavy rains in Delhi and Saudi Arabia and the forest fires in Siberia as a result of the North Pole warming up and icebergs breaking up all demand our attention. As humans, we have the responsibility to protect the species.”

He also emphasized on the importance of educating the girls on climate and engineering and said on the matter, “If a girl doesn’t know what engineering and climate are by the age of 12, she will never know. Currently, there are 20% of girls in engineering in the US, 30% of girls in engineering in India, and more than 50% of girls in engineering in Malaysia. So my point is to make them understand. Climate change is an issue that has to be understood by everybody – from high school teachers to bankers to doctors and lawyers.”

This session on Climate Change proved to be highly beneficial for the students. Professor Saifur Rahman’s informative discourse, students gained a deeper understanding of the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on our planet. The enriching experience allowed the students to connect with professionals and peers interested in making a positive impact on the environment.

As he highlighted the critical importance of taking immediate and collective action to address the environmental challenges we face, it not only raised awareness but also inspired and motivated the MPSTME students to contribute towards sustainable solutions and be agents of change in combating climate change. By engaging in such initiatives, SVKM’s NMIMS Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering (MPSTME) continues to fulfil its mission of providing comprehensive education that aligns with the ever-evolving needs of society.

“Through enlightening sessions like ‘Climate Change: An Expert Talk,’ we sow the seeds of awareness and nurture the growth of a sustainable future. Together, with visionaries like Professor Saifur Rahman, we shall rise to the occasion and forge a path of stewardship for our generations.”, said Dr. Alka Mahajan, Dean, MPSTME, as an appreciation towards this unforgettable session which urged each and everyone to be the catalysts of change.

Shri. Anand Suhas Gharpure, Chair IEEE Bombay Section said, “ When Engineers talks about and takes up the Climate Change Challenge they mean business and once IEEE Members takes up any challenge nothing is impossible.  We are sure that we will be able to achieve 2030 goals well before that.  It’s not only IEEE President’s vision but IEEE as a whole.  IEEE Bombay Section is bound by it’s duty towards the Sustainable Future. ”

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Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, with an estimated 79.6 million patients expected to be diagnosed by 2025. At present, the commercially available form of brimonidine for the treatment of glaucoma is in the form of eye drops. However, these eye drops have a short precorneal retention time and often result in poor patient compliance due to the need for frequent administration.

The OCUSERT formulation addresses these issues by providing sustained release of the active drug over a longer period of time. This development has the potential of commercial applicability and could significantly improve the treatment options available for patients with glaucoma.

Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor of SVKM’s NMIMS, said, “The grant of this patent is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of patients suffering from glaucoma with OCUSERT. I am glad that research is such an integral part of the University and hope that we will continue to work towards more such path-breaking outcomes.”

“OCUSERT has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of glaucoma. The sustained release capabilities of this formulation will significantly improve patient compliance and offer a more effective treatment option for a disease that affects millions of people worldwide,” said Dr. Bala Prabhakar, Dean Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM)

About SPPSPTM

Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM), established under the aegis of SVKMS NMIMS in 2006 offers Doctoral, Postgraduate, Graduate, and Diploma Programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences.  The school currently offers its programs at Mumbai, Shirpur & Hyderabad campuses. The school is a pioneer in introducing integrated programs in pharmacy & technology management.  The curriculum designed by the school nurtures and develops young minds into responsible Pharma professionals who will contribute ethically to the future of the Pharma Industry, Hospitals, Community, Society, and Healthcare system at large. SPPSPTM is known for its academic excellence and was ranked 11th nationwide in 2022 by National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Faculty members and students have remarkable achievements with 10+ patent grants and 950+ research publications in top national and international journals.

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This patent, is an outcome of SERB research grant (CRG/2018/003176), which discusses preparation of hydrophilic microneedles with increased incorporation of an antipsychotic drug, Iloperidone. Preclinical studies found that microneedle delivery of the drug increased the drug concentration and its duration in the blood and the brain, making it a breakthrough in treating schizophrenia as opposed to oral administration which showed slower therapeutic results. Currently, Iloperidone is available only in tablet form in the market.

Though further clinical studies need to be performed, the new formulation can prove to be a good alternative to the oral dosage form. “Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental illness that impacts the life quality of patients. The treatment is heavily reliant on drug and psychosocial support therapies. The new invention of iloperidone microneedles is set to bring new hope to patients suffering from the illness,” said Dr. Vaishali Londhe, PG program Chairperson, M. Pharm., Ph.D.

Meanwhile, Dr Bala Prabhakar, Dean of SPPSPTM, congratulated Dr Vaishali Londhe for her achievement and said, “We, at the school, hope to conduct more such research and take giant strides when it comes to pharmaceutical education and research. SPPSPTM has always focused on innovation and with this latest achievement, we are motivated to take our mission to impact global healthcare even further.

About SPPSPTM

Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management (SPPSPTM), established under the auspices of SVKMS NMIMS in 2006 is a pharmacy school which offers Doctoral, Postgraduate, Graduate and Diploma Programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences.  The school is a pioneer in introducing integrated programmes in pharmacy & technology management.  The curricula designed by the school nurtures and develops young minds into responsible Pharma professionals who will contribute ethically to the future of Pharma Industry, Hospitals, Community, Society and Health-care system at large.

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Dr. Radhakrishnan is a renowned award-winning author and this is his 20^th book. He comes from an illustrious family of academicians with 35 teachers in his family!

In his interaction Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai highlighted the importance of having a good publisher. This book has a simple writing style which can be understood by all age groups. He quoted Einstein “If you can’t explain simply, you don’t understand it well enough”.

He talked about the importance of bridging the gap between popular writing and academic research and his belief in simplifying management.

Dr. Radhakrishnan gave the insights into the books and the chapters which covers various strategies on playing to win, ideas to execute, analyzing one’s loses, budgeting, focus on winning and other principles.

During the interactive Q&A- session Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai talked about Chanakya’s principles of Saam, Dhaam, Dhand, Bhed and how it is important to apply these principles in most righteous way. On a question about the fear of the unknown he highlighted the importance of mentorship, and how one should learn from the experts in their fields.

He elaborated on the relevance of Chanakya in today’s modern world, “What has not changed is the human mind and the eternal principle”.  Dr. Radhakrishnan also stressed that if a model is successful continue doing it when asked about his continuing theme around Chanakya in his books.

The session was moderated by Dr. Vanshika Sukhija, Assistant Professor (Communication), School of Commerce and Mr. Meetesh Jha, Adjunct Faculty (Communication), SBM from NMIMS Indore campus.

About the Book:

 The book The Art of Winning: The Chanakya Way interprets ancient wisdom in various modern-day scenarios to guide us towards success. It picks the gems of ideas and practical formulas from Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Chanakya Neeti to help us understand; how can a person be a winner all the time and how winning can become a habit rather than an exceptional outcome. It explores all the time-tested principles of the ‘art of winning’ in the ‘Chanakya Way’.

To Watch please click https://fb.watch/9-QHjq8mMb/ 

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In this pandemic outbreak of  COVID -19 situation, wearing a face mask has become a basic a necessity in public places since the pathogen is widespread in the community. The large gatherings, public transport, offices, schools, and colleges are where chances of getting infected are very high.  The regular masks protect from aerogel and large dust particles; however, they do not protect against most human pathogens.  Considering the above facts and the pathogenicity of the virus, the Sunandan Divatia School of Science (SDSOS), NMIMS University, have developed a unique mask that more effective ensures protection against pathogens.

The unique mask is the brainchild of Dr. Neetin Desai, Dean, SVKM’s NMIMS Sunandan Divatia School of Science, along with his colleague Dr. Vrushali Joshi, Post-Doctoral Fellow at NMIMS  Sunandan Divatia School of Science. The battery-operated mask is safe to use while using mobile or headphone. The mask developed is four-layered cotton with a metallic mesh, which acts as an electrical filter. During inhaling and exhaling, the pathogens coming in contact with the mask get neutralized instantly, ensuring complete protection to the user. The mask is reusable, self-sterilizing, and environment-friendly. The battery lasts for more than six months if used with proper care and is replaceable. Priced at ₹800-1000, the mask is available online. This mask replaces more than 240 regular masks reducing the environmental burden, and is thus eco-friendly.

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https://scroll.in/article/961231/as-india-begins-to-evacuate-citizens-from-gulf-many-migrants-are-anxious-about-their-futures

An article written by Prof. Anu Abraham and Dr. Mohd Imran Khan from Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics, Mumbai Campus published in www.scrill.in

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1. Valves for respiratory support. The original to the left, the 3D printed to the right. 2. A 3D printed face shield 3. Nasal swabs 4. 3D printed hands-free door opener prevents spread of coronavirus. Source: Materialise 5. A retrofitted snorkel gear 6 HP 3D printed parts for ventilator 7. Face mask buckle 8. Splitter for ventilator

What is common between 3D printing (3DP) and COVID-19? Nothing. One is a highly contagious respiratory disease and other is a set of manufacturing technologies. But if you google these two keywords together, you will be startled by numerous stories of people producing ingeniously-designed Personal Protective Equipment(PPE), spare parts for ventilators, nasal swabs and many other products that are in high demand owing to this global pandemic. But why is 3D printing being used to make products which are best suited to be made using continuous assembly lines and mass-scale manufacturing? Wasn’t there a joke going around regarding 3D printing that “there are several plants and mushrooms which perhaps grow faster than a 3D printed part.”

The answer to the increased use of 3D printing in the making of PPE and other related products lies in the scale and ferocity at which this pandemic has gripped the entire world including major manufacturing powerhouses like China, India and South-East Asian countries. Adding to this is the global disruption in supply chains, suspension of air cargo and imposition of export restrictions of critical supplies by many countries.

Under normal circumstances, 3D printing wouldn’t, and shouldn’t be used for these applications. Because it’s not just scale and speed which impede 3D printing, but also the questionable compliance to several quality standards which are of utmost importance in the medical devices and personal protective equipment industry. The jury is still out on whether or not to use 3D printing, whereas some have cautioned against its use, pointing out that “a 3D printed masks may do more harm than good,” and that there are also many products which do not require strict regulations.

What is 3D Printing?

3D Printing (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing (AM) is one of the most versatile and emerging futuristic technologies. Its ability to create diverse and increobjects gives it the pial to alter the very idea of conventional manufacturing and design. A typical 3D printing process starts with a computer-aided design (CAD) model, which is then transferred to a 3D printing machine. The machine then builds the physical model, layer upon layer, using a high-intensity energy source on a substrate. 3D printing offers certain distinct advantages over its conventional counterparts; a few examples include personalisation and customisation. Hence, in applications where these advantages are required, 3D Printing becomes an indispensable choice. As opposed to conventional manufacturing, where a desired feature or geometry is excavated from a given block of material, 3DP’s approach is exactly the opposite. It starts from scratch and deposits material exactly where required, thereby drastically reducing wastage and the corresponding environmental footprint.

Why the buzz now?

The global industrial growth outlook for 3D printing is very promising. According to the latest Wohlers Report, a leading American consulting firm, which has followed and reported every year on 3D printing since 1990, the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, “grew by nearly 62% over the past two years.” Every ancillary industry associated with AM also saw phenomenal growth; the materials required to 3D print have registered a growth of 40%. Its 2019 report talks about the phenomenal, “growth, development and the future of materials, applications, systems, services, and design.” Several industrial giants have made forays in AM; examples include General Electric’s acquisition of Arcam and Concept Laser, Adidas has partnered with Carbon to produce customised soles using complex designs cellular design which otherwise would be impossible to produce using any other manufacturing method, automotive giants like Ford, BMW and Porsche have used AM in several of their models.

Together with artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud and fog computing, additive manufacturing is a key enabler of the fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. The need to integrate these technologies with conventional manufacturing methods will be imperative in the coming future. Also, the requirement to train and educate the future workforce in these technologies is going to be a challenge for industry and academic institutions. These challenges can be very strategically turned into opportunities by nations that would like to be at the forefront of the next industrial revolution.

• A 2013 McKinsey study lists twelve disruptive technologies that will impact traditional businesses and emergence on new applications and startups based on them. 3D printing is one of them. Forbes, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG and several other leading consulting groups have forecasted the impact these technologies will likely have on the economies and lives of millions.

  3D Printing education at NMIMS8

  

  1. Student project: 3D printed anatomical surgical models 2. A chocolate 3D printer 3. Sagar J, the poster of a collaborative project with KEM hospital, Mumbai 4. Parts printed for NASA competition 5. A prototype of a part printed on stereolithography machine 6. A 3D printed handle to carry multiple bags 7. Statue of Ganesha printed on a stereolithography machine

3D Printing’s adoption in Indian industry is at a very nascent stage; its inclusion as an educational program in the curriculum also lags far behind as compared to advanced countries. Very few universities and institutions in India offer an educational program in 3D Printing. NMIMS University’s Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering (MPSTME) is one of those very few institutes who have 3D Printing as a course in their Engineering curriculum.
With unmatched, state-of-the-art infrastructure featuring some of the most prominent 3D printing equipment and software (Stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering, Fused Deposition Modelling, 3D scanner), MPSTME is well-positioned to impart the best in 3D Printing education and research at the cusp of this exciting phase in manufacturing history. It is not just the Engineering school which is using 3D printing but several research groups at the School of Pharmacy, School of Science and School of Architecture are also utilizing the benefits of this facility at MPSTME.

To know more about the 3D Printing facility at MPSTME or to schedule a visit to the facility please reach out to dhirendra.mishra2@nmims.edu.

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