Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, chaired two sessions at the "2nd International Conference on Construction Materials and Structures (ICCMS-2022)" held on 13-20 December 2022, via virtual mode. The conference was organised by the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, India, in association with Virginia Tech, University of Bath, Monash University Malaysia, UNSW Sydney, Purdue University, and BITS Pilani.The conference aimed to provide a platform for academicians, industry experts, and research scholars to showcase their research innovations and the latest developments in the field of construction materials and Civil Engineering structures globally. Faculty members, research scholars, and students across the globe shared their knowledge at the conference.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, has delivered a special invited lecture on “Industrial Waste and Recycled Materials Utilization in Green Concrete and Field Applications” during one day webinar organized by Chitkara University, Chandigarh on 29th July 2021.

The lecture on the manufacturing of Geopolymer Concrete (Green Concrete) and its utilization in the field of building construction and highways was well received by the participants. Dr. Jindal is a geopolymer expert who has published several research papers with various international peer-reviewed journals of repute. He has also contributed a book chapter in collaboration with researchers from Curtin University Australia in the field of Geopolymer Concrete. The session concluded with fruitful interactions with the participants while responding to their questions. Organizer Dr. Ajay Goel, Professor, and Head of, Department of Civil Engineering, Chitkara University appreciated the session conducted by Dr. Jindal.

Dr. Rahul Sharma, Faculty, SMVDU, presented a paper at 9th International Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR 9) at Panaji, Goa. The Inaugural address was delivered by the chief guest, Dr. Parmod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa. Dr. Sharma emphasized the utilization of industrial by-product as alternative construction materials for the sustainable and green self-compacting concrete. One such industrial by-product is copper slag for manufacturing of self-compacting concrete. Researchers from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, USA, etc. also presented their researches on different themes of the conference. Dr. Sharma also chaired the two sessions on “Futuristic Construction Technologies” and “Water Resource Management”. The conference was organized by organised by the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC) and hosted by Institution of Civil Engineers.

Dr Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, has delivered an invited lecture on “Industrial Waste and Recycled Materials use in the Development of Green - Environmentally Friendly Pavements” during a 7 day AICTE Sponsored STTP on “Recycling Materials in Highway Construction” from 19th to 26th July 2021.

The STTP was organized by Indo Global Colleges, Abhipur, New Chandigarh, Distt S.A.S Nagar Mohali (Pb), in online mode. Dr. Jindal has delivered the lecture on the possibilities of the use of Geopolymer Concrete (Green Concrete) in addressing the alarming issues of emission of carbon dioxide in the environment which leads to playing a major role in contributing to greenhouse gases and global warming.

The issue of disposal and utilization of industrial and agricultural wastes in rigid pavements was also discussed. Dr Jindal also emphasized the ongoing research in the field of geopolymer concrete for the applications in the field of highway since the last 30 years was discussed. Various research opportunities in the field of green concrete in the light of the Indian Government’s project “The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance)” under the title “ राष्ट्रीय हरित राजमार्ग नीति “ was discussed. The lecture in STTP has attended by 100 participants who are faculty and research scholars from various universities and colleges of India.Dr Bharat Bhushan Jindal thanks the organizers for giving him an opportunity to share his knowledge.

Gautam Narula, Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, delivered a talk on Groundwater Management at KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology, Andhra Pradesh. The talk aimed to make students understand groundwater crises in India and the world. Students were made aware that India is the biggest consumer of groundwater in the world. The topics discussed during the talk were the policies and facts presented in United Nations Ground Water Report 2022, the need to understand groundwater management, the steps that can be taken, and successful case studies in India and the world, including Andhra Pradesh Farmers Managed Ground Water System Project, China Sponge City and Managed Aquifer Recharge technique. The comparison was set up between the tapping and managing of groundwater and surface water. Special attention was given to the falling groundwater table in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and some places in Andhra Pradesh. The talk showcased to the students the various dimensions the policymakers and Engineers must consider controlling groundwater abstraction so that we are not exhausted from groundwater resources.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal's (Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, SMVDU) published a chapter, titled "Geopolymer composites modified nanomaterials", in Composite Materials: Manufacturing, Properties and Applications, Elsevier 2021, For more info: https://www.elsevier.com/.../compos.../low/978-0-12-820512-9

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, delivered an invited lecture on "Geopolymer Concrete with Industrial Waste and Recycled materials for Environmental friendly construction" in the National Webinar held on 3rd September 2022.The Webinar was organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujrat. Dr. Jindal discussed the details of the research taking place throughout the globe on cement-less geopolymer concrete. The lecture emphasized the growing demand for infrastructure leading to the manufacturing of cement at a gigantic scale and its adverse effect on the environment. Dr. Jindal put forward the light on the possibilities of using Geopolymer Concrete with various waste materials in the field of construction, pavements and tunnel repairs. The lecture was well-received by faculty members, Ph.D. scholars, and UG and PG students. Research scholars and budding civil engineers were made aware of the significance and scope of research in geopolymer concrete. Dr. Jindal thanked the organizers for providing an opportunity to interact with keen learners.

SMVDU Katra, April 2019. School of Civil Engineering (SoCE), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, organized a technical event for B.Tech. students of Civil Engineering, aiming at developing their technical skills. The activities conducted in technical events were “Bridge Making with Paper” and “Quiz Competition on General Knowledge”. In Bridge Making Competition, six teams participated and based on the load carrying capacity of the bridge, one team was declared winner and other team as first runner up. In quiz competition, four teams participated and one team with highest number of points was declared as winner. The Technical event was attended by students, faculty and staff of Civil Engineering. The winner team of Bridge Making Competition was awarded with cash prize of rupees six hundred and rupees four hundred to the runner up team. The winner team of quiz competition was also awarded with cash prize of rupees four hundred. The students were also provided refreshment during the event.

Dr Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra delivered an expert lecture on “Industrial Waste and Recycled Materials Utilization in Green Concrete and Field Applications” during a seven-day AICTE sponsored FDP on “Research & Innovations in Engineering” from 7-12 February 2022.

The FDP was organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad. Dr Jindal delivered the lecture emphasizing the need to use alternative green building materials to replace conventional cement-based building materials. Dr Jindal discussed the concerns about the release of greenhouse gases that pose a threat to the environment during cement manufacturing. The lecture was well received by faculty and research scholars from various Indian universities and colleges. Research scholars and faculty members were made aware of the significance and scope of research in the field of geopolymer concrete. The organizer thanked Dr Jindal for sharing his knowledge.

SMVDU Katra, April 2019. School of Civil Engineering (SoCE), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, organized a special session under Industry Institute Interactions for B. Tech (Civil Eng.) students. An expert talk by Er. Arun V. Thakur, Technical Services, Ultra Tech Cements (J&K), was organized for the learning and industry exposure of B. Tech. students. Around 55 students of B. Tech. participated in the session along with the faculty members of SoCE. Industry Expert of Ultra Tech Cements (J & K) delivered very informative presentation comprising of basic technical information on Cement-Concrete and their utilization in building construction projects for the students of B.Tech. (Civil Eng.). The presentation also covered several aspects of scope of Civil Engineering jobs in cement and construction industry. Students were also given an exposure to an exceptional webinar on “Shrinkage Cracks in Concrete – Causes, Material Effects and Strategies for Mitigation” by Prof. K.V.L. Subramaniam, IIT Hyderabad. Students enthusiastically participated in the interactive and informative session.

Er. Arun V. Thakur also presented their company profile. The presentation started with the formal welcome of team members by Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, AP, SoCE. The talk was organized as thepart of the Academia-Industry interaction for effective and enhanced learning of students.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, delivered an expert lecture on "Industrial Waste and Recycled Materials Utilization in Green Concrete " Field Applications" at a national webinar on 10th May 2022.The webinar was organized by the Ultra Tech Cement Limited & Indian Concrete Institute Chandigarh Centre. Dr. Jindal discussed the growing demand for infrastructure with the population growth across the globe. The concern about the fastest growing demand for cement and the release of greenhouse gases that threaten the environment was shared. The possibilities of the use of Geopolymer Concrete (Cementless Concrete) were discussed. The lecture was attended by 150 faculty and technocrats across India. Research scholars and budding civil engineers were made aware of the significance and scope of research in geopolymer concrete. Dr. Jindal thanked the Ultra Tech Cement Limited and ICI–Chandigarh for inviting him to share his knowledge.

SMVDU Katra, April 2019. The cultural event was organized by the School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, for the students of B.Tech. 1st year. The main objective of this program was to develop students’ personality. During the event, students participated in various activities: Garima Sharma anchored the event; Aryaman Sharma played on electric instrument; Bhargavi Bhatt and Hari Arya performed the songs. Ujwal Dubey, Jatin Singh, Madhav Sharma and Khushi Joshi took part in dance. Sudhanshu, Vishav Sambyal, Rohan Shumbriya and Bhumik participated in storey/poetry recitation.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Faculty, School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra has delivered an invited lecture on “Industrial Waste and Recycled Materials Utilization in Green Concrete and Field Applications” during a weeklong AICTE Sponsored STTP on “Recycling Materials in Highway Construction” from 23rd to 27th August 2021.

The STTP was organized by Indo Global Colleges, Abhipur, New Chandigarh, and was sponsored by AICTE Delhi. Dr. Jindal emphasized the use of industrial and agriculture waste by-products as a replacement for conventional construction materials. The participants were made aware of the environmental issues faced due to the fastest-growing demand for cement in infrastructure.

The lecture in STTP has been attended by more than 60 participants who are faculty and research scholars from various universities and colleges of India. Research scholars and faculty members were made aware of the significance and scope of research in the field of geopolymer concrete. Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal thanked the organizers for giving him an opportunity to share his knowledge.

SMVDU Katra, April 2019. The ‘Site Visit’ of B.Tech. First Year students of School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, was organized where the students visited a site of “Accommodation of Married Scholars”. This visit provided them with a practical experience of actual working at construction site. The students got an exposure of excavation work going at site for foundation along with knowhow about various steps for carrying out construction work and the project operations implemented throughout the process. Students prepared and presented power point presentations about their actual learning thereafter.

A Future Infrastructure Star Challenge 2021 was organised globally by Bentley Education for the student’s community to develop and propose an idea to change the world with innovative infrastructure projects. Students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), B.Tech 3rd year, School of Civil Engineering, Mr. Danish Manhas and Mr. Dishank Jamwal under the guidance of Dr. Rahul Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering has participated in the Challenge.

The students globally ranked in the top 20 positions in the Future Infrastructure Star Challenge 2021 and were rewarded with prize money of $500 and a CREDLY badge. The students worked on the innovative concept of Smart Green Buildings and Flyovers and represented a PowerPoint presentation along with a report. The Honourable Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, Prof. R K Sinha and Head, School of Civil Engineering, Dr. V K Dogra congratulated the students and mentor Dr. Rahul Sharma on this achievement.