 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 8: A 6-day Online Short-Term Training Programme "EnviroWaterMat2026: Innovation for Sustainability" was inaugurated here today at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra under the UGC- Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre. This programme has been designed for one week in line with the Guidelines of UGC MMTTC. The programme aims to enhance academic, professional and personal competencies of faculty members working in the area of Environment, Water Conservation and Sustainable Development across HEI's. A total of around 204 participants from various parts of the country have registered for this programme, reflecting its wide outreach and relevance.The inaugural ceremony was graced by Vice Chancellor-SMVDU, Prof. Pragati Kumar as the Chief Guest. Prof. Ankush Anand, Director, UGC-MMTTC-SMVDU, welcomed the Chief Guest, distinguished resource persons, participants and others present. He highlighted the objectives of the programme and emphasized the commitment of UGC-MMTTC-SMVDU towards strengthening faculty competencies through high-quality training programmes in emerging and interdisciplinary areas. The inaugural session was also attended by Prof. Sharda, Dy. Director and other members of MMTTC SMVDU. Head, School of Civil Engineering Dr. V.K Dogra and Dr. Bharat Bhushan Jindal, Associate Professor of School of Civil Engineering, SMVDU and other members of UGC-MMTTC-SMVDU were also present during the inaugural ceremony. The proceedings of the programme were carried out by Dr. Vaibhav Sapkal, Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Coordinator of the programme. Experts from different domains across the country will be interacting with the participants during this 6-day programme.During the inaugural session, Prof. Pragati Kumar in his address emphasized the role and importance of faculty development, academic integrity and continuous learning in higher education ecosystem through such programmes involving Science, Technology, Engineering and, Management. The Vice Chancellor, SMVDU stressed upon significance of water conservation, sustainable development, innovation-driven research and interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling contemporary environmental issues. He emphasized the role of higher educational institutions in developing environmentally responsible technologies and promoting research that contributes towards national development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prof. Kumar also appreciated the efforts of the UGC-MMTTC-SMVDU, for organizing a timely and impactful training programme and extended his best wishes to all participants and resource persons.The Short-Term training programme covers a wide spectrum of contemporary themes, including Sustainable Water Management and Conservation, Innovations in Water and Wastewater Treatment, Circular Economy, Waste Management and Resource Recovery, Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Construction Materials, Environmental Protection and Sustainability, and Smart Monitoring, Digital Solutions and Sustainable Urban Development. Over the six days, the participants will benefit from expert lectures to be delivered by eminent academicians, scientists and environmentalists from IITs, NITs, leading research laboratories and globally reputed universities. The programme features four technical sessions each day, providing opportunities for interaction with experts and discussions on recent research trends. The sessions by various experts will be conducted in online mode till July 11, 2026. SMVDU remains committed to foster excellence in higher education through such capacity-building initiatives, contributing to the holistic development of faculty members and scholars nationwide. Dr. Rahul Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering and Co-Coordinator of the programme presented the vote of thanks. |
