Dr. G.P.C. NayarChairman, SCMS Group

Vol : 7No : 5August 2011

A Monthly Newsletter of SCMS Group of Educational Institutions, Cochin

Vol : 9No : 4July 2013

A Monthly Newsletter of SCMS Group of Educational Institutions, Cochin

Edited and published by Prof. B. Unnikrishnan for and on behalf of SCMS Group of Educational Institutions, Prathap Nagar,Muttom, Cochin - 683 106 and printed at Maptho Printings, Cochin - 683 104.

www.scmsgroup.org Email: scms@scmsgroup.org

Editorial Advisory Council: Dr. D. Radhakrishnan Nair, Prof. R. Sahadevan Contd. on page 2

Contd. from page 3

SCMS helps Koratty Grama Panchayatfor a major transformation

SCMS Group of Educational Institutions has joined hands with Koratty Grama Panchayat in Thrissur district to implement together a unique master plan for making the Panchayat self-sufficient in some of its most vital needs like drinking water supply, solid waste disposal and power conservation.

The objective is to make Koratty Grama Panchyat self-sufficient in the above respect within a period of one year, at minimal cost and with total people participation. On completion of the project, Koratty will become the first Grama Panchayat in India to make such a signal achievement. The

First of its kind

Shri.K.P.Dhanapalan MP inaugurating the development seminar organised by Koratty Grama Panchayat in association with SCMS Group. Sitting (front row) L-R: Shri.B.D.Devassy MLA, Dr.Johannes Fritsch (in charge of the Indo German project at SCMS) from Germany, Dr.C.K.Rajan, Professor-SCMS, Shri.Manesh Sebastian, Panchayat President and Smt.Mercy Sebastian, Panchayat Vice President.

Farzana Abdulla is being crowned as Ms. SCMS by Dr. Radha Thevannoor.

The objective of this programme was to provide a platform for the faculty to enrich important machine learning methods and to build up new research directions by establishing the opportunities in this field. The participants had the opportunity to understand the important data mining methods such as feature extraction/selection, clustering, classification and similarity measurement techniques, etc. The programme identified the demand for research, development and innovation.

Dr. Vijaylaxmi and Dr. Manoj Singh Gore from NIT-Jaipur, Dr. M.V. Rajesh, College of Engineering, Cherthala, Dr. Shyam Diwakar, Amrita University,

Prof.Indu Nair, Group Director, delivering the presidential address at the Faculty Enablement Programme. Sitting beside R-L: Prof.M.Madhavan, Director, SSET, Dr.R.Vijayakumar, Director, School of Computer Science, Mahatma Gandhi University, Dr.Manoj Singh Gore, NIT-Jaipur, Dr.Vijaylaxmi, NIT-Jaipur, and Dr.Vinod P., Associate Professor, SSET.

Kollam, Dr. B. Ramdoss, NIT-Trichy, Dr. Raju K. George, IIST, Trivandrum, Dr. G. Radhamani, GRD College, Coimbatore, Dr. R Rajesh, Bharathiar University, Dr. Gladston Raj, Government College, Trivandrum, Dr. Sanjay Singh, Manipal University, Dr. Harish N. Ramanathan, TocH Institute of Science and Technology, Ernakulam, Dr. Viswanathan G, Chief Engineer-R&D, Samsung Research Lab India, Bangalore, and Dr. Vinod P., Associate Professor, SCMS School of Engineering and Technology were the resource persons of the workshop.

SCMS School of Engineering and Technology has been ranked as the 6th among the Top Promising Engineering Colleges of Excellence in India, in an all India ranking survey conducted by GHRDC 2013 (Global Human Resource Development Centre). The college has been ranked as Number 1 in Kerala in the survey.

Smt. Shiji P. V., Assistant Professor-Civil Engineering, published a technical paper entitled as 'Effect of Soil Structure interaction in seismic loads on framed structures' in the International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research Volume 4, Issue 5, May 2013 Edition.

Smt. Lekshmi Subha M.S., Assistant Professor-Computer Science and Engineering, was the resource person for the AICTE-sponsored Faculty Development Programme 'Linux and Intranet Tools for Empowering Engineering Faculty' at Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, during June 13 and 14.

Shri. Sujesh P. Lal, Assistant Professor-MCA, and Shri. Varun G. Menon, Assistant Professor-Computer Science and Engineering, attended the Deep Dive Faculty Enablement Programme on Foundation Programme 3.1 conducted by Infosys Campus Connect at TocH Institute of Science and Technology, Arakkunnam, from June 17 to 21.

Shri. Benrose Prasad, Assistant Professor-Mechanical Engineering, secured second rank in Mahatma Gandhi University M.Tech. examinations conducted during November 2012.

Poornam Infovision conducted their final round of interview for seven shortlisted final year B.Tech. students on June 15 and 17. Mammut Building Systems conducted campus recruitment for 2013 batch M.Tech. Civil students on June 17. Prateek Construction Management conducted campus recruitment for 2013 batch B.Tech. Civil students on June 18. Sundram Fasteners conducted campus recruitment for 2013 batch B.Tech. Mechanical and Automobile students, on June 22. Citrix Systems conducted campus recruitment for 2013 batch Engineering students on June 24.One final year Mechanical Engineering student is shortlisted for final round of interview by Apollo Tyres. Two final year Computer Science and Engineering students are selected by Procsys, Bangalore. Selected students of 2013 batch have joined in South Indian Bank, IT Flux Technologies, and Cadd Centre.

College ranking

Paper presentations

Seminars and workshops

Staff achievements

Placement news

AICTE-sponsored Faculty Enablement ProgrammeA two-week faculty enablement programme on ‘Machine Learning Techniques’ was conducted, with AICTE sponsorship, by the

Department of Computer Science and Engineering from May 20 to June 1. Prof. Manoj Singh Gore, Professor, National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, inaugurated the programme. 50 participants from different engineering colleges in Kerala and other states attended the programme.

Prof.Indu Nair, Group Director, presided. Dr.R.Vijayakumar, Director, School of Computer Science, Mahatma Gandhi University offered felicitations and keynote address. Prof.M.Madhavan, Director-SSET, Dr.Vijaylaxmi, NIT-Jaipur and Dr.P.Vinod, Associate Professor-SSET also spoke.

The top-notch B-schools in the US were alleged to be largely responsible for the economic downturn in America. The allegation was that these B-schools were propagating an excessively analytical and detached style of management. Ethics was not a matter of concern for them. Corporate social responsibility was also not an issue.

While these reputed B-schools were cracking their heads to device some efficient methods to inculcate moral reasoning and social commitment into the business culture they were trying to cultivate among the students, here in a remote village in Kerala a young lady school teacher was demonstrating in her own style how teaching and learning could be made more inspirational and transformative.

The anecdote was reported by Shri. Ajit Balakrishnan, Chairman & CEO of Rediff.com and Chairman of Board of Governors of IIM-Calcutta at a seminar.

This enterprising teacher had taken the liberty to go out of the prescribed course material to teach her students a short story by S.K.Pottekkatt titled “The story of how I became a writer.” S.K.Pottekkatt was an illustrious writer in Malayalam and a Jnanpith Award winner.

During his high school days one day while he was engaged in his studies at home a desolate old woman, who had been a domestic servant for many years, approached him seeking his help to write a letter to her son who was enjoying a happy life in a far away town after marrying his fiancé and leaving behind his almost blind and hapless mother all alone. The poor mother had sacrificed everything she had for the sake of her son to enable him to attain all his comforts. But, he had mercilessly thrown her out of the house treating her like a dog. In tears she narrated all the hardships she had suffered to bring him up and wanted Pottekkat to send a letter on her behalf to her son. Pottekkat was really moved and felt so sad about the poor woman's plight.

Things that renew humanityHe began writing letters to her son, not just one but a series of letters. He narrated in those letters the miseries and agonies of the old woman adding a lot of imagination and drama in it.

Initially, there was no response from the heartless son. But, after a few letters, the son was moved. He started responding by sending some nominal amount to the woman, probably without his wife's knowledge. He

even visited the mother once and enquired as to who had helped her to write such touching letters.

Pottekkat was thrilled in being able to elicit a positive response through his letters to an unknown person. He gained confidence and felt pride in his narrative skill. That inspiration was so transformative that it became the launching pad for a Jnanpith Award writer to begin his literary career.

Instead of presenting this story straight away in the class the teacher first took the students to an old age home to give them a feel of the situation. She made them interact with the inmates for about three hours in order to develop a long-

lasting impression of kindness and generosity towards the abandoned elderly citizens. Later on, the students were asked to reflect on their experiences and to present the feelings of concern and compassion they were exposed to during the whole exercise.

The purpose of education, in spite of the prevailing climate of extreme competitiveness, is to champion the cause of human values. It should involve love and respect for others.

“Teach this triple truth to all. A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity.” – Lord Buddha

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integrated master plan is implemented adapting German technology, tried and tested in Germany, with the active cooperation and involvement of Prof. (Dr.) Johannes Fritsch, University of Applied Sciences, Weingarten, Germany (now at SCMS).

Germany is a country way ahead of other nations in fields like water technology, conservancy, and management. With the technical support and guidance from Dr.Fritsch, a renowned scientist and a specialist in advanced membrane technology for water treatment, SCMS has set up an international project by name Indo German Centre for Water Technology and Management at SCMS School of Engineering and Technology (SSET) located at Karukutty near Koratty Grama Panchayat. Dr.Fritsch is spearheading the activities of the Centre for the adoption of the most advanced water and waste water treatment technologies.

Dr.Fritsch and Dr.C.K.Rajan, a renowned scientist and specialist in climate and environment, and Professor and Chair for Climate and Environment Changes and Risk Reduction at SCMS have jointly prepared the plan of action and are giving leadership for the project implementation at Koratty Grama Panchayat.

The Panchayat had organised a number of workshops and seminars in this context during the last one year for mobilising people participation. A number of studies were also conducted as a preliminary step for assessing the available resources and the future requirements. The students of SCMS took part along with the members of the Panchayat in the bench mark study and for assessing the opportunities of development in addition to the needs and life styles of the people.

The project envisages setting up of an efficient water supply scheme that is free from dependence on the Kerala Water Authority, street lighting with solar power, and solid waste treatment for making organic manure at the source. Most advanced technologies will be utilised for the purpose. The plan is to convert Koratty into a waste-free Panchayat.

The development seminar conducted by the Panchyat authorities on

Renowned scientists

Waste-free Panchayat

Dr.G.P.C.Nayar, Chairman, SCMS Group and National President, Federation of Associations of Management of Unaided Professional Educational Institutions in India (FAMPEI) accompanied by Prof.C.I. Abdul Rahiman, Secretary General of the Federation, visited University of Hyogo in Kobe, Japan. They had discussions with Prof.Makoto Kosaka, Vice President, Prof.Takayuki Satake, Dean, Graduate School of Business and Prof.Naotoshi Umeno, Professor-International Business, on furthering the tie-up between SCMS COCHIN School of Business and University of Hyogo.

MBA students of the University specialising in international business used to come down to Cochin year after year for attending classes held for them at SCMS COCHIN School of Business campus by SCMS faculty under the student exchange programme.

Dr.G.P.C.Nayar visits University of Hyogo, Japan

Dr.G.P.C.Nayar (second from right), Chairman, SCMS Group and National President, Federation of Associations of Management of Unaided Professional Educational Institutions in India (FAMPEI) and Prof.C.I.Abdul Rahiman (extreme right), Secretary General of the Federation holding discussions with the authorities in University of Hyogo, Japan. From left to right: Prof.Takayuki Satake, Dean, Graduate School of Business, Hyogo University, Prof.Makoto Kosaka, Vice President and Prof.Naotoshi Umeno, Professor-International Business.

May 17 was inaugurated by Shri.K.P.Dhanapalan MP. Shri.B.D.Devassy MLA presided. Dr.Johannes Fritsch, Dr.C.K.Rajan, Shri.Manesh Sebastian, Panchayat President, Smt.Mercy Sebastian, Panchayat Vice President, and others spoke.

This project is one among the several social outreach programmes taken up by SCMS Group for the benefit of the communality around.

Community care project

Prof.Pradeep P.Thevannoor, Vice Chairman, SCMS Group, has been awarded PhD in Management by CMJ University, Meghalaya. His thesis was on the topic: 'A study of knowledge management practices in the Indian Public Service and the effects of organisational culture on knowledge transfer.’

Doctorate to Prof.Pradeep P.Thevannoor

Faculty achievements

Prof.K.J.Paulose, Dean-Management Studies, gave the keynote address at the

Faculty Development Programme on Academic Leadership and Innovative Educational Practices at Toc H Institute of Science & Technology, Arakkunnam, on May 27.

Dr.C.Sengottuvelu, Professor and Head-Consultancy, made a presentation on Career Guidance at the Panel Discussion on Career Guidance at St.Francis D'Assisi Senior Secondary School, Asokapuram, on May 25.

New accurate diagnostic tool for Chikungunya virus

developed at SIBB

Scientists of SCMS institute of Biotech-nology have developed a rapid and very sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting the Chik virus on the very first day of fever.

The research team consisting of Dr. C.Mohankumar, Dr. Salini Bhasker and Smt. Krishna Yathi has identified the viral coat gene from the genome. The gene was cloned and expressed it in bacteria for the production of recombinant protein. The bioinformatic analysis of the

recombinant protein showed all the dominant features of an antigen and the scientists developed the antibodies of the antigen for the specific diagnosis of Chik virus. The advantage of this technique is that the viral antigen in the blood sample of Chik patients can be detected directly on the first day of fever using these antibodies. The molecular data of the study was published in the international immunological journal, Journal of Immunological Methods in 2013.

Genetic variations on Chikungunya virus have changed its virulence and it increased the mortality rate due to the severity of viral infection. Consequently, the infection is now reported as fatal. Hence, a rapid and early detection of the virus in the blood sample of Chik patients has become inevitable for the effective clinical management of the disease in hospitals.

Earlier in 2007, when the Chikungunya epidemic broke out as a menace for the first time in Kerala, SCMS Institute of Biotechnology had come out with a diagnostic kit, the first of its kind, for the benefit of the community. Then, no satisfactory methods were available for diagnosis and evaluation of the virus in any of the major hospitals in the State.

“Unlike the early kits of using the antibody of native antigen (antigen extracted from viral culture) the new method using the antibody of the recombinant antigen (antigen developed by genetic engineering method) is found as very specific, accurate and rapid,” said Dr. Mohankumar, the project leader of the research group. “This improved molecular kit will be a boon for providing proper clinical therapy to the patients, since the Chik virus attack is found to be more severe during the recent infection in India,” he added.

Chik fever continues to be on an epidemic scale in the State with the onset of monsoon.

World Environment Day 2013 was observed in the South Kalamassery campus of SCMS on July 5 for promoting awareness on the importance of preserving our biodiversity, the need to identify problems related to the environment and ways to take corrective action.

Dr.C.K.Rajan, Professor and Chair for Climate and Environment Changes and Risk Reduction, and Director of Water Technology and Management, was the chief guest. He spoke on the means to tackle environment challenges that include climate change, global warming, disasters and conflicts, environmental governance, ecosystem management, and resource efficiency.

The students and the faculty in the biotechnology division and the B Com department participated.

Dr.C.K.Rajan. Professor and Chair for Climate Change and Environmental Changes and Risk Reduction and Director of Water Technology Management, speaking at the World Environment Day function held at the South Kalamassery campus.

World Environment Day observed

SSTMSalver

Investment –The Indian Scenario, organised by Kerala University on March 23 and 24 at the University Senate Hall, Trivandrum.

An article titled 'Impact of FIIs on Corporate Dividend Policy in India,' authored by Dr. Makesh K. G., Associate Professor, has been published in Indian Journal of Research, May 2013 issue.

Paper published

A rousing farewell was organised for the outgoing Batch 9 MBA students by the junior batch at the Seminar Hall on June 14. The cultural programme lined up for the day included contemporary skits, enthralling dances and heartwarming medleys. The highlights of the event were the title announcements in various interesting categories. Worth mentioning in particular are the titles for Mr. and Ms. SCMS which were bagged by Ranesh R. and Farzana Abdulla respectively. The resplendent evening concluded with some inspiring farewell thoughts and a spectacular firework that lit up the sky enthralling the whole crowd.

Farewell to Batch 9 MBA

Dr. Radha Thevannoor, Group Director and Director-SSTM and Dr. V. Raman Nair, Director-SCMS COCHIN School of Business cutting the cake along with the student representatives.

Prof.Pramod P.Thevannoor, Senior Group Director, SCMS Group, has taken over as the new President-Elect of South Asia Council Region 10 of Business Schools and Programs. South Asia Council Region 10 is the regional division of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). It represents the member institutions located in South Asia.

The ceremony was held at the annual conference of ACBSP held at Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, on June 22.

The Regional Council provides a forum for fostering better understanding of business education and for exchange of ideas concerning collegiate business education programmes among member institutions.

Prof.Pramod P.ThevannoorPresident-Elect of South Asia Council

Paper presentedShri. Vilas Nair, Assistant Professor, presented a paper titled 'FDI in Indian Retail –Effect on Small Retailers' at the International Conference on Foreign Direct