Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 23: St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru, witnessed the grand inauguration of its Sustainable Engineering Club, affiliated with the Bamboo Society of India, on November 22. The event, organized by the department of mechanical engineering in association with the Industry Innovation Group, was held at Prerana Hall and brought together academic and industry leaders to emphasize sustainability in engineering.
The event commenced with an invocation and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, setting the tone for an inspiring session. Dr Vijay V S, faculty advisor and assistant professor, introduced the club and welcomed the dignitaries, followed by the official inauguration and the unveiling of the logo of the club.
Punati Shridhar, chairman of the Bamboo Society of India and former principal chief conservator of forests (IFS Retd), K P Murthy, NGC member of the Bamboo Society of India and former senior general manager at Bosch India and Dr. Shashikantha Karinka, controller of examinations and professor at Alva's Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri, and management council member of SAEINDIA Bangalore section graced the occasion.
Chief guests included Fr Kenneth Rayner Crasta, assistant director, SJEC, Dr Sudheer M (in-charge principal and dean academics), and Dr Purushothama Chippar (vice principal, dean R&D), while Fr Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, director, SJEC presided over the programme.
Dr Shashikantha Karinka delivered an insightful address, highlighting the critical role of engineering in advancing sustainable development and underscoring the importance of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in shaping future industry practices and academic policies. Punati Shridhar shed light on the Bamboo Society of India’s mission to promote eco-friendly materials in engineering and industry. He discussed various bamboo species, their unique properties, and diverse applications, inspiring the audience to adopt sustainable practices. K P Murthy delivered an engaging session titled ‘Bamboo Applications in Sustainable Engineering – A Deep Dive’, exploring the versatility and potential of bamboo in tackling modern engineering challenges. He also outlined the club’s objectives and emphasized its pivotal role in driving future initiatives through innovative projects.
Fr Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, in his presidential address, lauded the initiative and reaffirmed SJEC’s commitment to equip students with skills and values aligned with sustainability. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the club's student president, Suhas L Karanja followed by an engaging networking session.
More than 100 students from different branches participated in the event. The Sustainable Engineering Club aims to serve as a hub for fostering innovation, research, and awareness about eco-friendly engineering practices among students and professionals. Its affiliation with the Bamboo Society of India strengthens its objective to promote sustainable materials and methodologies in engineering. This significant milestone underscores SJEC's leadership in advancing sustainability within the academic and industrial spheres.