The symposium being conducted by NIT Andhra Pradesh is under the banner ‘National Conclave on Strategies for implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’

Symposium II is on ‘Vision of NEP on Research and extra-curricular Parameters for holistic education’ and was inaugurated by Governor of Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhusan Haricharan.

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The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) is one of the important policies framed by the Government of India with a far-sighted vision to nurture and orient the young generation in the path of development, said Dr. Tamilisai Soundarajan addressing the event at NIT Andhra Pradesh.

It emphasizes on the holistic and multi-disciplinary education for future generation, she said. Tamilsai Soundararajan further said the significant features of NEP 2020 include: building self-reliant India, offering holistic development to all citizens.

It also includes digitization of classes in Schools and Higher education institutions, equipping teachers with latest technology to strengthen best teaching-learning processes, initiation of ‘National Research Foundation’ to offer funding to deserving academicians to undertake research projects in domains of societal and technological importance, said Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan.

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I wish that education shall make you physically, mentally, and professionally successful. I also request you to practice emotional well-being ad practice harmonious ‘work-life’ balance, said Governor of Telangana.

I would like to remind everyone present to have a social responsibility to contribute towards better Nation- building. I wish with optimism that the National Education Policy 2020 offers the fullest fruits of education to all our young generation in the years to come, she said.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh speaking at the event at NIT Andhra Pradesh said a quality higher education must enable personal accomplishment and enlightenment, constructive public engagement, and productive contribution to the society.

The holistic education shall make the younger generation to be more vibrant, socially engaged, and build cooperative communities for realizing a happier, cohesive, cultured, productive, innovative, progressive, and prosperous nation, he said during the event at NIT Andhra Pradesh.

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NEP 2020 recommends to follow the best practices of world class universities. The investment on Research & Innovations in India is recorded as 0.69 % of GDP which will be improved in view of NEP.

There is a need that the criticality of research is more assured than in the past, for the economic, intellectual, societal, environmental, and technological health and progress of a nation.

We are happy to learn that the policy will offer guidance to funding agencies to offer huge quantum of funds to researchers to pursue their research in addressing societal challenges such as offering potable clean drinking water and sanitation to all citizens of the country, improving quality education and healthcare, enhanced transportation, renewable energy, and upgraded infrastructure, he said.

Director of NIT Andhra Pradesh Professor C.S.P. Rao said NEP 2020 is one of the important policies framed by the Government of India with a distinct vision to orient the young generation in the path of development and righteous living.

Many initiatives undertaken by our Institute towards the implementation of the Policy in true spirits. In line with the recommendations of the policy and autonomy, the revamping of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and student support for enhanced student experiences is highly encouraged by our Institute, said NIT Andhra Pradesh director.

I am glad to share that the Institute revamped curriculum of UG programmes from 2020-21 academic year onward with good attractive. We are glad that this conclave will give us the best opportunity to discuss in the regard of National Education Policy 2020 and relevant developments in the institute to the stakeholders, said Professor C.S.P. Rao.

NIT Andhra Pradesh director also announced the salient features of new curriculum of BTech. The features are:

Ø Tuned as per the New Education Policy 2020

Ø Multiple exit options (Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma & B.Tech)

Ø Minor Degree along with Regular Degree

Ø Honours Degree along with Regular Degree

Ø Online Education through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

Ø Choice based Credit System

Ø Skill Development through Mini Projects

Ø Outreach Activities through Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS)

Ø Summer Internships at Institutes/ Organizations /Industries

Ø Major Final Year Project through Industrial Training/Internship

Ø Industry Supported/Relevance Courses

Ø Interdisciplinary/Emerging Technologies learning through Electives

Ø Introduction to Foreign languages

Ø Physical Education (Sports/Games/Health)

Professor G. Ravi Kiran Sastry, Dean (Research and Consultancy), NIT Andhra Pradesh and Dr. R. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean (Faculty Welfare), NIT Andhra Pradesh are the programme coordinators of this two-day national conclave on NEP.

Dr. P. Dinesh Sankar Reddy, Registrar-in-charge welcomed the gathering and presented the overview of the two-day program on NEP. Dr. G. B. Veeresh Kumar, Dean, Student Welfare, and Dr. Karthik S, Dean, SCAIR, of NIT Andhra Pradesh introduced the Chief Guests to the participants.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. T. Kurumayya, Dean, Academic Affairs expressed his gratitude to all the faculty, staff, students from various departments and sections for making the conclave a grand success and extended his thanks to the staff of Raj Bhavan of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States for kind support.

About NIT Andhra Pradesh

National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh is an ‘Institute of National Importance’ and is the 31st institution among the chain of NITs started by the Government of India.

NIT Andhra Pradesh is established in the State of Andhra Pradesh during in the academic year 2015-16.

A new campus has been established with 172.6 acres of land adjacent to Chennai-Kolkata Highway (NH-16) in the air-strip lands of Tadepalligudem. Presently the institute is fully running from the permanent campus.

NIT Andhra Pradesh offers B.Tech. programmes in eight engineering branches – Bio-Technology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering besides M.Tech. programme in eight specializations.

The Institute also offers Ph.D. (both under Full-time and Part-time modes) programme in the above-mentioned engineering branches, Sciences, Humanities and Management, viz., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English and Management, and M.S.(by Research) programme in the above-mentioned eight engineering branches.

NIT Andhra Pradesh has a total of 140 Faculty members and 2,657 students, of whom 2,299 are undergraduate students, 100 are postgraduate students and 258 are PhD Research Scholars.

The Institute is working towards implementing best practices in teaching-learning methodologies for establishing dynamic knowledge-connected society and create a conducive environment for carrying out research in multi-disciplinary areas and thereby nurturing novel thinking capabilities.

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Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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