The SAE SMVDU Club of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University conducted a dynamic series of events for first-year students, aimed at introducing them to the world of automotive engineering and providing hands-on technical exposure. The initiative began with an introductory session held on 11th February 2026, familiarizing freshers with the club’s vision, achievements, and participation in prestigious national-level competitions such as BAJA SAE India and SUPRA SAE India. Senior members shared insights into the design, fabrication, and teamwork involved in building a competitive SAE vehicle, inspiring students to explore opportunities beyond the classroom. Continuing the engagement, the club organized an interactive hands-on session on 13th February 2026 cantered on the previous year’s SAE vehicle. Freshers were given the opportunity to closely examine the All-Terrain Vehicle’s chassis, suspension, braking system, and powertrain. Core team members explained the design methodology, material selection, safety considerations, and the challenges encountered during manufacturing and testing. The practical demonstration enabled students to effectively connect theoretical concepts with real-world engineering applications. Pertinently, SMVDU participated in the BAJA SAE India 2025 event held at Hyderabad in the year 2025, where the team actively competed and gained valuable technical and field experience. Students were encouraged to take forward this legacy and actively participate in forthcoming national-level SAE events.
The student coordinators, Mr. Kamal Thawani and Mr. Romil Ghuraiya, along with the faculty coordinators, Dr. Mir Irfan Ul Haq and Dr. Ankush Raina, expressed their sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Pragati Kumar, for his continued support and encouragement toward experiential and innovation-driven learning, which has significantly strengthened technical student activities on campus.
The series of events witnessed enthusiastic participation and active interaction, reflecting the growing interest among junior batches of Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, and Bachelor of Design streams. By combining orientation with experiential learning, the SAE SMVDU Club successfully fostered curiosity, teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, setting the stage for a promising and productive year ahead.