Experts call on engineering students to embrace innovation, continuous learning, emerging technologies
SRINAGAR: Under the “Alumni Back to Classroom (ABC)” initiative, Office of the Dean, Alumni and International Affairs (A&IA), National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with the Alumni Association (AANITS), jointly organised a seminar on “Transforming India’s Energy and Manufacturing Landscape Through Smart Automation”.
The seminar featured Er. Amit Kumar, a distinguished alumnus of NIT Srinagar and Business Unit Head – Metering & Protection Systems at Schneider Electric India, as the keynote speaker.
In his message, Director, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, said the institute remains committed to strengthening industry-academia collaboration through meaningful alumni engagement.
He said accomplished alumni serve as role models for students and play a vital role in exposing them to emerging technologies, innovation, and industry best practices. He encouraged students to make the most of such interactions to prepare themselves for future leadership roles.
Registrar, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, said the Alumni Back to Classroom initiative reflects the institute’s vision of building a strong and vibrant alumni network that contributes to academic excellence and professional development.
He appreciated the participation of alumni and industry experts in mentoring students and sharing practical insights from the corporate world.
Addressing students, faculty members, alumni, engineers, and industry professionals, Er. Amit Kumar said India is undergoing a rapid transformation in the fields of energy and manufacturing, driven by digital technologies, smart automation and sustainable engineering solutions.
He highlighted the growing importance of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, smart metering, automation, digital substations and intelligent power systems in building a resilient and efficient industrial ecosystem.
“The future engineers must be prepared to adapt to technological disruptions through continuous learning, innovation and skill development,” he added.
Drawing from his more than three decades of professional experience, Er. Amit Kumar encouraged students to focus on problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and ethical engineering practices alongside technical excellence. He stressed that engineers have a crucial role to play in advancing India’s vision of energy security, manufacturing excellence and a net-zero future.
The interactive session provided participants with valuable insights into real-world industrial practices, bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements.
Faculty members, students, alumni, engineers and newly recruited Junior Engineers (JEs) from KPDCL and JKPTCL actively participated in the programme and interacted with the speaker.
Earlier, Dean Alumni and International Affairs, Prof. M. A. Shah said the Alumni Back to Classroom (ABC) initiative aims to strengthen alumni engagement and provide students with opportunities to learn from accomplished graduates who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
He said the institute firmly believes that its alumni are among its greatest assets, and their continued association with NIT Srinagar creates meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange, mentorship and professional networking.
Prof. Shah noted that interactions with successful alumni help students gain first-hand exposure to industry expectations, emerging technologies and evolving career pathways.
The programme was coordinated by Er. Farhan Manzoor Shah, Additional Secretary, AANITS; Dr. H.S. Pali, Associate Dean, Alumni and International Affairs, NIT Srinagar; and Er. R.P. Singh, Power Engineer and NIT/REC Srinagar alumnus.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, as participants appreciated the initiative for strengthening ties between academia and industry and for equipping young engineers with practical knowledge and emerging technological perspectives.