CE Dept hosts Industry–Institute Interaction Session – “Celebrating Excellence: Vidya Alumni Earn Industry Trust”

The Department of Civil Engineering, in association with the Placement Cell of Vidya Academy of Science & Technology (VAST), Thrissur, organized an Industry–Institute Interaction Session as part of its ongoing initiatives to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. The program was conducted on 26 November 2025, from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM, at the OOPS Lab, Main Block.

The session was graced by Mr. Babu Varghese, President and Principal Engineer of Abtech Group, along with his team, who visited the campus in recognition of the significant contributions and achievements of Vidya’s Civil Engineering alumni. The visit underscored the growing trust and confidence that the industry places in the competence, dedication, and professionalism of Vidya graduates, many of whom form a substantial part of the company’s workforce.

The visiting team was received at the Principal’s cabin, where they interacted officially with Dr. Sunitha C. (Principal) and Mr. Paul Chakola (Head, Training & Placement). Dr. Abhilasha P. S., Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, welcomed the executives and encouraged students to make the best use of the opportunity. Mr. Paul Chakola highlighted the legacy of the company and the long-standing association between Vidya’s Placement Cell and Acero in facilitating placements for Vidya students. The compering of the program was gracefully handled by Ms. Kiran Babu A. R.(Asst Prof, CE Dept)  and Ms. Ardra P. Nair,(Asst Prof, CE Dept) . The event was well coordinated by Ms. Chithira Ajeeth, Assistant Professor, along with the faculty members and second-year M.Tech students of the department.

As part of the interaction, a team from Acero Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd. engaged with undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as faculty members, offering valuable insights into professional expectations, career pathways, and emerging opportunities in the field of structural engineering. The technical interactions commenced with a session by Ms. Maria Jose, Assistant Project Manager and Talent Acquisition Lead at Acero, and a 2015–2019 B.Tech alumna of the department. She introduced the organization and outlined its primary service domain—structural detailing.

This was followed by an in-depth technical session by Ms. Aleesha Theresa, Team Lead, Engineering Department at Acero, and a 2018–2020 M.Tech alumna. She elaborated on the engineering services offered by Acero and discussed commonly used design codes such as ASCE and NBC. She also familiarized students with core design areas including structural design, steel and concrete design, connection design, and other miscellaneous design requirements.

Mr. Babu Varghese delivered an inspiring and informative talk on the importance of professional engineering licensure. He emphasized its role in ensuring professional credibility, adherence to standards, and the protection of public welfare. He provided a historical perspective, noting that engineering licensing laws were introduced over a century ago following major structural failures, and highlighted the evolution of regulatory bodies such as the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE), established in 1917.

A motivational session was conducted by Ms. Neelima N., Detailing Project Manager at Acero and a 2011–2015 B.Tech alumna. She emphasized the essential skillsets required for aspiring engineers and highlighted the importance of practical training and industry exposure. She presented several major projects handled by the company, including the Pier 66 project, and shared key organizational statistics. Acero currently employs over 100 professionals, has completed 3000+ projects, possesses 37+ years of experience, serves 200+ clients, and holds 26 engineering licenses across multiple locations.

Ms. Athira Valsan, Assistant Project Manager, Engineering Department at Acero, interacted with the students and encouraged them to equip themselves with industry-relevant skills. She also conducted a technical quiz, in which Ms. Aprana P. B. (S7 CE) and Ms. Rahna R. Shahim (S1 SE – M.Tech) emerged as winners. An appreciation prize was awarded to Ms. Jisni P. J. (S7 CE) for posing an insightful question during the discussion.

As a token of appreciation, Dr. Abhilasha P. S. and Mr. Paul Chakola presented mementos to the visiting executives, including Mr. Babu Varghese, Mr. Renil K. Paul (Engineering Project Manager), and Mr. Krishna Raj (Senior Project Manager – Detailing). Additionally, the department’s technical magazine and departmental calendar were presented to the team by the Head of the Department.

Mr. Nidhin Raj K., System Analyst at Acero, along with the team, distributed pocket diaries and mobile stands to all participants. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Nirmala Krishnan, Assistant Professor (Senior Grade), who fondly recalled the student days of Ms. Maria Jose, Ms. Aleesha Theresa, and Ms. Neelima N. at Vidya.