CE Dept hosts five day FDP On “Harmony in Structures: Bridging Vastu and Civil Engineering”

With an aim to promote a comprehensive understanding by integrating Vastu principles into civil engineering practices, the Dept of CE, in association with ISTE FACULTY CHAPTER,VAST organized Five Days Faculty Development Programme on “Harmony in Structures: Bridging Vastu and Civil Engineering” during 22-24 January 2024 for Faculty members / M.Tech / M.Plan students from KTU affiliated College.

The Five-day Faculty Development Program (FDP) began on a promising note with an offline session on 22 January 2024. The inauguration was a confluence of spiritual fervor and academic enthusiasm, graced by the esteemed presence of Sri Kanipayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad (Dean of Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam, Department of Culture, Govt. of Kerala). Dr Abhilasha P S (Professor and HoD, CE Dept) extended a warm welcome, emphasizing the significance of the FDP in harmonizing Vastu principles with Civil Engineering practices. Dr Saji C B (Principal) delivered a thought-provoking presidential address, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with modern engineering practices. Felicitations followed from Mr Suresh Lal (Executive Director, VICT), Dr Sudha Balagopalan (Dean Academics), Dr Sunitha C (Vice Principal) and Dr Justine Jose C (Former HoD and Adjunct Faculty, CE Dept).The inaugural ceremony concluded with a gracious vote of thanks by Dr Anjali P. Sasidharan (FDP Coo-rdinator,Asso Prof, CE Dept) acknowledging the collective effort in making the event possible.

Day 1 – 22 January 2024 Theme: Fundamentals of Vastu Shastra The FDP began with an inaugural session followed by lectures on the historical evolution of Vastu Shastra. Mr. Kanippayyur Krishnan
Namboodiripad explained core Vastu concepts such as orientation, spatial planning, and site selection. Participants gained insights into how traditional planning methods relate to environmental
sustainability and occupant well-being.

Day 2 – 23 January 2024 Theme: Integration of Vastu with Modern Civil Engineering VIDYA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Thalakkottukara, Thrissur, Kerala – 680 501 Sessions by Dr Abhilasha P S
and Dr C V Lal focused on integrating Vastu principles with structural design, building codes, and modern construction practices. Discussions included scientific reasoning behind traditional practices,
structural safety, and urban planning considerations.

Day 3 – 24 January 2024 Theme: Sustainable Building Planning and Case Studies Mr. Navaneeth E P presented real-time residential and commercial building projects that incorporated Vastu principles.
Case studies highlighted energy-efficient layouts, natural ventilation, and daylight utilization. Participants understood practical challenges and solutions in applying Vastu concepts in modern
projects.

Day 4 – 25 January 2024 Theme: Cultural Heritage and Structural Design Dr Ashalatha Thampuran discussed traditional Kerala architecture, temple structures, and heritage buildings. The session
emphasized structural stability, materials used in heritage construction, and lessons for modern sustainable design. Faculty members discussed how cultural architecture can inspire contemporary engineering solutions.

Day 5 – 26 January 2024 Theme: Applications in Teaching, Research and Valedictory Session Sessions
handled by Ms. Nirmala Krishnan and Ms. Nisha Varghese focused on incorporating Vastu-related topics into civil engineering curriculum, student projects, and research. The FDP concluded with a
valedictory session, feedback sharing, and certificate distribution.

The Five-day FDP witnessed active participation from 30 external participants representing various KTU-affiliated colleges, along with teaching and non-teaching staff members of the Civil Engineering department, M.Tech Civil Engineering students, and selected final-year B.Tech Civil Engineering students of VAST. The FDP reached its conclusion with a valedictory function. Dr. Abhilasha P. S. (Professor and HoD, CE Dept) extended a warm welcome, setting the stage for the final proceedings. Dr. Saji C B (Principal) shared insightful remarks, expressing the success and importance of the FDP in fostering interdisciplinary knowledge. Dr. Anjali P. Sasidharan (FDP Coo-rdinator,Asso Prof, CE Dept) presented a comprehensive report, encapsulating the key highlights from each session. The valedictory function concluded with a gracious vote of thanks by Ms. Kalyani Vijayakumar (FDP Co-coordinator,Asst Prof, CE Dept) expressing gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers.