Report on National Conference on Emerging Trends in Environment and Energy Management (NCEEM -2013)

SMVITM organised its first ever national conference titled Emerging Trends in Environment and Energy Management on 18 and 19 October 2013. The conference was well attended by eminent academicians, faculty members and students from reputed technical and educational institutions from different parts of the country and representatives of governmental bodies and industry.

 In four technical sessions under four different categories titled Energy Management, Environmental Management, Coastal Protection and Management and Waste Management held over the two days, 39 papers were presented at the conference.

 The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest at the inaugural function, Prof. Dr. K.E Prakash, Registrar, VTU, Belgaum on 18^th morning. In his inaugural address, he lauded the Management and the academic administration of the institute for hosting a national conference in the very fourth year since the inception of the institute.

 Shri Y. B Ramakrishna, Former Chairman, Karnataka State Bio-fuel Development Board, Bangalore, the Guest of Honour released the Conference Souvenir on the occasion and shared his views on energy and environmental management briefly. Shri P. Shrinivasa Tantry, Vice President, Shri Sode Vadiraja Mutt Education Trust®, Udupi presided over the function and Shri. Ratnakumar, Secretary, SSVMET delivered the presidential address. Principal of SMVITM and Chairman of NCEEM-2013, Prof. Dr. Radhakrishna S. Aithal gave an overview of the conference.

 The inauguration was soon followed by the key note address of Shri. Y.B Ramakrishna. Then the first technical session titled Energy Management chaired by Prof Dr. Sukomal Mandal, Chief Scientist, NIO, Goa and co chaired by Prof Dr. Ravindra H J, Head of the Physics Dept. at SMVITM started and 9 papers were presented during the session.

In the afternoon, the second session started with Prof.  M.N. Madhyastha, Former Dean, Science and Technology, Mangalore University giving a talk on managing the environment within the frame works of a master plan, management plan and without compromising on environmental ethics.

 The talk was followed by the second technical session titled Environmental Management. The session was chaired by Prof. Subba Rao of NITK, Suratkal and co-chaired by Prof. B. Radheshyam, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at SMVITM. 7 presentations were made during that session.

 A local site-seeing trip to Pachaka, the house, where Madhwacharya was born and is preserved as a heritage site for the guests and delegates was arranged at 4.30. in the afternoon.

From 6 to 7.30 in the evening the cultural extravaganza put up by the students of SMVITM enthralled the audience. The enchanting performance by the students was well appreciated by the guests and the audience. The cultural program was followed by the conference dinner.

The proceedings on 19 started with a keynote address by Dr. Uiupi Srinivas, Former Professor, IISc., Bangalore and Member of SMVITM Governing Council on The Alternatives of Conventional Fuels.

 The talk was followed by technical session 3 on Coastal Protection and Management. The session was chaired by Dr. Udipi Srinivas and co chaired by Dr. Ganesha, Dean (Academics), SMVITM. 9 delegates presented their papers during the session.

 A talk on Energy Efficiency in Buildings by Dr Santhosh Kamath, Asst. Manager, Projects, Manipal Integrated Services followed the session.

 In the last technical session on Waste Management, 11 papers were presented. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Jagannath, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal and co-chaired by Prof. Dr. K.K Srinivasan, HOD of Chemistry, SMVITM.

 As part of the conference, there were a few stalls/ exhibitions set up by Karnataka State Bio-fuel Development Board, Bangalore; Karnataka State council for Science and Technology, Bangalore and Karnataka  State Pollution Control Board.

During the valedictory program conducted in the evening,the Chief Guest Dr. M.S Mohan Kumar, Secretary, Karnataka State council for Science and Technology, Bangalore & Professor, Indian Institute of Science and the Guests of Honour Prof. Dr. M Prithviraj, Director, Department of Science & technology new Delhi & Executive Secretary, Karnataka State Council for Science & Technology congratulated the institute and the Management on organizing a national conference on a contemporarily relevant theme and offered their respective organisations help and support in organizing such programs in the future too. Dr. Udipi Srinivas was also a Guest of Honour on the occasion

 The Conference Proceedings CD was released by the Chief Guest on the occasion and the certificates to the participants too were given away.

A few participants who gave their feedback on the conference praised the institution for hosting its first ever conference in such an impeccable manner and said that they were overwhelmed by the hospitality offered by the organisers.

 Shri Shrinivasa Tantry presided over the function. Shri Ratnakumar, in his presidential address, thanked all the sponsors, advertisers, delegates, representatives from the media and the faculty and students for their magnanimous support and assured that SMVITM will organise more such activities in the future.

After the valedictory program, high tea was served and the conference came to an end, leaving fond memories in the minds of the guests and delegates and a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in all members of the faculty and staff and student volunteers who were associated with its preparation and organisation over a period of three months.