Two Days Industry-academia Conclave “Research Opportunities: Progress Through Industry-academia Research Fusion”

Two days Industry-Academia Conclave 2025: Fostering Innovation Through Collaboration Kattankulathur, March 27, 2025 – The Department of Chemical Engineering and the School of Bioengineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) successfully concluded its two-day Industry-Academia Conclave on March 26th and 27th, 2025. The event, themed “Research Opportunities: Progress Through Industry-Academia Research Fusion,” brought together leading industry experts, academics, researchers, and students to explore and enhance collaborative research initiatives. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. B. Neppolian, Dean of Research at SRMIST, and Dr. S. Vishali, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. The inauguration included the release of an abstract by Prof. Jayavel, Former Dean and Professor Emeritus at AC Tech, Chennai. The conclave featured insightful sessions addressing critical areas such as multi-objective optimization for industrial demands, the transition from academia to industry, global challenges in collaborations, advanced glazing technologies, dental material research, green chemistry, thermal curing modeling, advanced microscopy, and innovation in the chemical industry.

Day 1 Highlights:
• Prof. Jeyavel emphasized the importance of sustainable development through industry-academia fusion and highlighted that “Collaborative
Research is the Engine for Innovation.”
• Prof. A. Kannan presented advanced optimization techniques for industrial processes, using biochar pellet optimization as a case study.
• Dr. Manikandan Narayanan addressed the transition from college to industry, emphasizing the need for practical skill development.
• Prof. S. Manisha Vidyavathy discussed global challenges in industry-academia collaborations, focusing on 3D printing of ceramics and the importance of industrial internships.

Day 2 Highlights:
• Mr. Eisenhower Swaminathan discussed advancements in glazing technologies for safety and performance.
• Dr. Pandurangan Harikrishnan highlighted the need for translational research in dental materials.
• Dr. P. Thanikaivelan showcased green chemistry pathways for waste biomass valorization.
• Dr. Lakshmanan Palanimuthu presented modeling techniques for thermal curing of adhesives in automotive structures.
• Mr. N. Athreyan explored opportunities in advanced microscopy and spectroscopy.
• Dr. R Sankara Subramanian emphasized innovation through synergistic industry-academia collaboration.

Mr. P. Balamurugan, CEO of SPEL Semiconductor Limited, delivered the valedictory address, focusing on integrated circuit fabrication, assembly, and packaging.

The conclave highlighted the necessity for an enhanced curriculum relevance to meet industry needs, Increased internship and mentorship opportunities, Promotion of collaborative research projects, Improved communication channels between academia and industry, Addressing regulatory and policy barriers, Investment in shared infrastructure and resources, Raising awareness of the mutual benefits of collaboration, The event successfully fostered a vibrant environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and advancements. In the final report, Convenors of Conclave Dr. S. Anandhakumar and Dr. K. Selvam, Chemical Engineering department, concluded that SRMIST & the department remain committed to facilitating such collaborations to drive innovation and address global challenges. About 150 students, scholars, and faculty members from inside and outside of the university benefited from the insights of the Conclave.