R&D Centre for Cashew Processing Equipment Inaugurated

An R&D centre for technology upgradation of cashew processing equipment established in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, (SMVITM)Bantakal, Udupi was inaugurated on 31 August 2015. The facilities in this R&D center are provided by Karntataka Council for Technological Upgradation (KCTU), Government of Karnataka and SMVITM.

Mr. Anil A. Uppin, MD, KCTU, who was the chief guest on the occasion said the importance of R&D in the field of agriculture. He congratulated SMVITM for being the first functional R&D centre out of the sixteen sponsored projects by KCTU. He revealed the importance and need for upgradation of Cashew processing equipment’s on this occasion. He suggested R&D team on having the regular meetings with the Cashew Industry people to understand the needs and act according to it. He also said that KCTU will extend all its support in all the future projects of R&D and wished this centre to develop as R&D hub.

Speaking on the occasion, a guest of honour Mr. P Ramdas, MD, Ace Manufacturing Systems, Bengaluru emphasized the need to be focused on excellence and working with passion in one’s chosen field of work. He said that his forty five years of experience in the field of machine tool manufacturing had centred on research and development. He urged the audience to be people who would work with their hands, heads, heart and soul in order to serve society and thereby accomplishing the missions as well realizing the visions of their life.

Mr. Bola Rahul Kamath, President, Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers Association, another guest of honour, urged the students of the institute to take up R&D projects that would help the industry and congratulated SMVITM on being the first engineering college in the state to set up a dedicated centre for the upgradation of cashew processing equipment.

Mr. SrinivasaTantry, Vice President, Shri Sode Vadiraja Mutt Education Trust, (SSVMET) Udupi presided over the function. Mr. Vivekanand Huddar and Dr. Sudarshan Rao, Head and Associate Professor respectively at the Department of Mechanical Engineering delivered the welcome speech and the vote of thanks.

Mr. Ramananda Nayak, Joint Director, District Industries Centre, Udupi; Dr. H.K.V. Rao, former Director, SMVITM; Mr. Rathnakumar, Secretary, SSVMET; Mr. Harish Belman, Advisor to SMVITM; Dr. Radhakrishna S. Aithal, Director, SMVITM; Dr. ThrumaleshwaraBhat and Dr. A. Ganesha, Principal and Dean (Academics), SMVITM were present.