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#IP 905, 25 - 31 Jan 2010

NAL at ISC Expo 2010, 3 – 7 January 2010, Thrivanthapuram

NAL participated in the Pride of India Expo which was part of the 97th Indian Science Congress held during 3 - 7 January 2010. The expo was in a big makeshift hall where exhibiters from different organizations participated including one from CSIR. The other Govt. organizations participated are ISRO, DRDO, GSI, BARC etc,.

NAL exhibited its achievements by displaying charts and models. Nine charts were displayed along with the models of Saras and NM5. NAL contribution to space technology was also showcased by displaying the VHRR mirror from SED and few Satcom products from FRP division.

On all the days the expo was visited by thousands of students from both school level to college level and delegates of the Indian Science Congress. Over three lakh people visited during these five days of expo. Most of the visitors were curious to know about the achievements of NAL. A large number of visitors were curious to know about the VHRR mirror and its application. There were queries from few engineering students enquiring about the chances of doing some project at NAL.

Since, the crowd was very large, there was less time to interact with many of the students and delegates. But we are happy as many of the visitors appreciated the achievements of NAL.

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Dr A R Upadhya congratulates Prof Gautam Biswas

Prof (Dr) Gautam Biswas Director, CMERI has been awarded Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. Dr A R Upadhya, Director, NAL congratulates Prof Gautam Biswas for this distinction.

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Mr Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Govt. of India noting in the NTAF Visitor's Book on 31.12.2009   

"Thank you for the overview and demonstration of the 1.2 metre Trisonic Wind Tunnel facility which is so critical for the progress of our various National Aerospace progranmmes. Duplication and improvement of such facilities is critical for accelerating all our national programmes. All the best in your noble endeavours."

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Dr Sridevi Jade’s distinctions

Dr Sridevi Jade, Scientist, CMMACS has been awarded National Mineral Award 2008 for her contribution to GPS based research studies in Indian subcontinent related to earthquake Hazard under the Applied Geosciences discipline (Disaster Management Category).

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#IP 904, 18 - 24 Jan 2010

CSIR-NAL Two-Year Post Graduate Research Programme In Engineering of Structures (PGRPE) 

The inaugural function of CSIR-NAL Post Graduate Research Programme in Engineering (PGRPE) in the discipline “Engineering of Structures” was held at KTMD Seminar Hall on Tuesday, the January 19, 2010 at 11.30 a.m. Dr. Nagesh R. Iyer, Director, SERC, Chennai, was the Chief Guest.

The PG research program and curricula related to the course Engineering of Structures provide education and training through a holistic approach to structural engineering by emphasizing and building on the commonality in materials, mechanics, and analysis considerations across the disciplines of civil, aerospace, and mechanical engineering. The program features strong components in laboratory experimentation, basic theory, information technology, and engineering design. The training also provides in-depth exposure to the engineering concepts, scientific principles, research methodology and hands-on experience on advanced real-life R&D projects in different specializations of Aerospace/Civil Structural Engineering. The post graduate research program is aimed at training selected number of trainees as highly skilled professionals in Civil/Aero/Mechanical engineering with the proper academic and engineering credentials to assume leadership roles in industry, research and academia.

The CSIR-NAL PGRPE training is for a period of two years, and is a compulsory residential training programme with the responsibility on the laboratory to meet all training and residential requirements. The trainees are designated as Quick Hire Scheme Trainees (QHSTs); they will be paid a consolidated stipend of RS. 25000/= per month. There is a semester tuition fees of Rs. 24,000/= apart from admission fee of Rs. 4000/=

The first semester of the programme focused on core subjects related to Engineering of Structures, and was organized and conducted at SERC, Chennai.

The second and third semesters offer core & elective courses for specialization in the areas of:

Engineering of Structures (Civil) (At SERC, Chennai)

Engineering of Structures (Aerospace) (At NAL, Bangalore)    

Engineering of structures (CAD/CAM) (NAL, Bangalore)

The third semester gives the opportunity for the candidates to study elective subjects in the areas of their interest and start ground work on the topic of dissertation to be pursued in the entire fourth semester.

The lecture classes are buttressed with laboratory classes and practical training in CAD and FE software, structural testing and hands-on training in many practical applications of interest to NAL.  

The selection of trainees was among applicants who responded to a web-announcement on CSIR website by CSIR HQ inviting applications for the Training Programme; a total of 2240 applicants for Engineering of Structures were received. The applicants were short listed based on the marks in the qualifying examination;137 candidates were called for interview held at  New Delhi after short listing at SERC by a joint committee with members from both NAL & SERC; and 47 of them appeared for the interview which went for five days. The committee selected 15 among them (5 for SERC and10 for NAL). A total of 13 QHSTs reported for training: 4 for SERC and 9 for NAL.

The QHSTs have been accommodated in the Kapila Hostel; the boarding arrangements are both at the NAL canteen and guest house. The QHSTs been provided with a laptop computer to help them in the training programme. They will be allowed to make use of NAL library, and other facilities.

The second semester starts on January 18, 2010 and ends on May 20, 2010. The credit distribution is shown in the following Table.  

No. of Core subjects: 11

No. of Electives: 5

Project Work: 15

The QHSTs performance will be evaluated throughout the semester with equal emphasis on sessionals and a final examination. On successful completion of the training they will be awarded a Diploma certificate,.

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#IP 903, 11 - 17 Jan 2010

Dr A R Upadhya's distinctions

Dr A R Upadhya, Director, NAL was selected as an eminent engineering personality on 11 Dec 2009 at the 24 Indian Engineering Congress held at NITK, Surathkal

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Extract of the congratulatory message sent by Prof S K Brahmachari, DG, CSIR to Dr A R Upadhya, Director, NAL

Thank you for your letter No: D/NAL/500/2K dated 10 December 2009  informing me that you have been elected a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi with effect from 1 January 2010.

 The Fellowship is fitting recognition of your tremendous contributions. I am doubly delighted that the top leaders of CSIR is earning laurels as this serves to motivate the younger scientists to emulate their feats leading to a regenerative cycle of recognition in the field.

It is with the greatest happiness that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you

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Dr Sekhar Majumdar

Dr Sekhar Majumdar, Former Head, CTFD, NAL has been elected Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi from 1 Jan 2010.

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#IP 902, 4 - 10 Jan 2010

Unveiling of Golden Jubilee Murals by DG ( CSIR)- 22nd Dec 2009

 Prof.S.K.Bramhachari , DG, CSIR visited NAL on 22nd Dec 09 to unveil the mural marking the 50 years of NAL at the Belur and Kodihalli campus. He praised the beautiful mural and suggested that the theme of the mural be added. DG, CSIR, later addressed the NAL employees and asked them to be more innovative and proactive. Dr.Upadhya welcomed the DG,CSIR and expressed his happiness in having the mural unveiled by the DG,CSIR.

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