Times Higher Education Awards Asia 2023 Recognises Ahmedabad University as Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy
Ahmedabad University

Date: December 15, 2023

Ahmedabad University has been recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023. The recognition has been awarded for our research-pedagogy design and unique learning initiatives, underscored by our Foundation Programme, Engagement and Application Based Learning and Education (ENABLE), and Independent Study Period. Widely known as the ‘Oscars of higher education', THE Awards offer a major international platform to recognise outstanding leadership and institutional performance and celebrate Asia's higher education excellence.

Ahmedabad University is a leading liberal education-driven research university with a dynamic learning environment based on cross-disciplinary linkages between the arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. We offer students, researchers, and faculty an unprecedented locus of choice and flexibility and the opportunity to participate in a unique learning process, mediated by fieldwork and projects that enable deep creative insight, rigorous analytical experimentation, and fulfilling careers.

All students entering the undergraduate programme go through our common core, Foundation Programme. It builds the foundations of interdisciplinary learning and engages with issues of society through project-based learning. The Foundation programme is built around six domains that define contemporary academic and life skills in the 21st century, areas of innovation that are transforming the world, and perspectives that help become a responsible member of any society. ENABLE is an experiential learning process with a dynamic classroom approach that allows application of theoretical concepts to real problems through an industry project. The University has a hands-on winter term called the Independent Study Period where students take courses offered by experts, practitioners, and pioneers in various fields beyond their choice of discipline. It allows students to explore their passion and go beyond the classroom, making their academic learning truly interdisciplinary and conceptual understanding more experiential.

Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer, THE, said, “Universities have never been more needed than they are now. That’s not a new sentiment, but it’s worth restating. As the world works to recover from the Covid pandemic’s devastating impact, the countries that will be most successful in restoring the health of their populations, their economies, and their wider societies will find accomplished guides to new and better futures in our higher education institutions.”

Weather Monitoring and Research on Ahmedabad University Campus in Collaboration with City University of New York and US Consulate General, Mumbai

Ahmedabad University

Date: December 15, 2023

In a new research initiative to map air quality and other parameters of weather, the Bronx Community College (BCC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) backed by a grant by the US Consulate General, Mumbai, installed a weather monitoring station at the rooftop of the School of Arts and Sciences building of Ahmedabad University. The solar-powered weather sensor will monitor temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, UV radiation, solar radiation, and air quality monitor. The Air Quality device will monitor PM 2.5 and the Air Quality Index. The US Consulate General, Mumbai, has provided a grant to BCC/CUNY to install weather monitoring stations at seven higher education institutions in Western India.

Neal Phillip, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Environmental Sciences at BCC/CUNY, and Director, International Collaboration, City University of New York Remote Sensing Earth Systems Institute (CUNY CREST); and Paramita Sen, a lecturer in the same department and Director, India Initiative, CUNY CREST, are co-principal investigators on the research.

Ahmedabad University supports research and action on climate change through its various Schools and Centres. The Global Centre for Environment and Energy, is a one- of-its-kind Centre of Excellence at the University. It hosts the Technical Support Unit of the Mitigation Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It also collaborates with global and Indian Universities, research institutes and industries to pursue sustainability research.

Professor Neal Phillip of BCC/CUNY was impressed by the work done by students and faculty at Ahmedabad University’s Air and Climate Research Laboratory that regularly monitors ambient air quality. In 2022, Aditya Vaishya, Assistant Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, installed sensors on the same rooftop as part of his research aimed at measuring atmospheric trace species that impact regional climate and air pollution and have deep implications for weather patterns, climate system, and human health. One of the focus areas of the lab is on the usage of small, low-cost atmospheric sensor modules for investigating particulate matter. An allied project of his lab is the Air We Breathe where these low-cost atmospheric sensors were installed in multiple indoor spaces to monitor indoor air quality.

Ahmedabad University signed an MoU with BCC/CUNY to promote and develop academic cooperation, including student exchanges, summer schools and faculty-led programmes, and joint research, conferences, and workshops.

Ahmedabad University’s BCom (Hons) and BBA (Hons) Programmes Accredited by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to Offer Students a Globally Recognised Qualification

Ahmedabad University

Date: December 15, 2023

Students of BBA (Hons) and BCom (Hons) programmes at Ahmedabad University can now earn a globally recognised qualification with their undergraduate education at Ahmedabad. Offered at Amrut Mody School of Management, the two programmes have been distinguished with a special accreditation by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) UK that allows our students nine paper exemptions. The curriculum for the exempted papers is embedded in our curriculum and students can complete the remaining 4 out of a total of 13 papers concurrently with their undergraduate degree. The classes are run on Ahmedabad Campus through professional trainers from ISDC, the approved learning partner of ACCA in India. 

ACCA has a long-standing association with Ahmedabad University since 2014. As a university partner of ACCA, our BCom (Hons) programme was accredited in 2014 and subsequently our BBA (Hons) programme in 2019. Through this collaboration, our students were able to claim six exemptions out of the total 13 papers in the past.

Our BCom (Hons) and BBA (Hons) programmes are integrated and embedded with the ACCA syllabus and lead to ACCA, the global body for professional accountants. Over 150 students have enrolled in ACCA with Ahmedabad University and are pursuing rewarding careers in the fields of accountancy, finance, and management, both in India and globally. 

“Ahmedabad University and ATIRA Collaborate to Foster Technical Textiles and Composites Research, Education, and Innovation"

Date: October 27, 2023

In a distinctive partnership aimed at nurturing the burgeoning technical textiles and composites industries, Ahmedabad University and the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) have joined forces to enhance education, research, and development, while providing vital services in this field. This collaboration builds upon their existing Composites Centre of Excellence established in 2011, further expanding their commitment to this sector.

A significant milestone in this collaboration is the introduction of a unique two-year Master of Technology program in Composites at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Ahmedabad University. This program, with support from the technical expertise and facilities of both institutions, will provide students with a solid foundation in advanced mechanics, design, manufacturing, and testing related to composite components and structures. Following this, students will engage in a year-long industry-based thesis focusing on real-world applications, integrating industry perspectives and best practices into the curriculum to produce job-ready graduates.

Sunil Kale, the Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, emphasized the promise of the industry for highly skilled youth, stating that the collaboration would strengthen academics at Ahmedabad University while enabling faculty and students at ATIRA to contribute significantly to research, development, and outreach. The collaboration also intends to leverage Ahmedabad University’s incubator, VentureStudio, to facilitate the incubation of composites-based start-ups, addressing the need to enhance the workforce quality and infrastructure in the technical textiles and composites sector.

Rising Sun in Technical Textiles and Composites

Beyond composites, which find applications in aerospace, defense, transportation, and industrial sectors, technical textiles encompass a diverse range of segments, including wearable electronics, filters and masks, recycling, sustainability, energy applications like batteries and fuel cells, extreme weather clothing, and geotextiles, among others. These segments are classified as Agrotech, Oekotech, Buildtech, Meditech, Geotech, Clothtech, Mobiltech, Hometech, Sportstech, Indutech, Protech, and Packtech, based on their functions.

The global technical textiles market is currently in an exciting phase of growth, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2 percent, projected to reach USD 274 billion by 2027. The Indian technical textiles market, identified as the fifth largest in the world, has been making remarkable strides, growing at 8 to 10 percent per annum over the last five years, reaching USD 21.95 billion in 2021-22.

In 2020, the Ministry of Textiles launched the National Technical Textiles Mission, with the aim of positioning India as a global leader in this domain. Within this realm, composites are demonstrating substantial potential. According to a recent report by the FRP Institute, the consumption of composite materials in the Indian industry is expected to increase from 5,11,900 tonnes in 2021 to 7,68,200 tonnes by 2027.

Government Initiatives Propel Growth

The major growth drivers for the industry include rising demand from sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, transportation, construction, consumer goods, and defense. Government initiatives such as smart cities, hydrocarbon projects, freshwater transportation, sewage treatment systems, and rehabilitation of water and sewage pipelines will further boost the consumption of composite materials.

The India 2047 Vision and Strategic Roadmap report by KPMG and FICCI in February 2023 predicts an annual growth rate of 15 to 20 percent for technical textiles over the next five years. In line with this potential, the National Technical Textiles Ministry is keen on strengthening Textile Research Associations (TRAs) with proficient technical staff and continuous upgrades in research and infrastructure.

Pragnesh Shah, Director of ATIRA, underlines the government's significant investment in the expansion of the technical textiles industry in India. Shah emphasizes the need to prepare a skilled workforce to meet the surging demand and encourages an innovation culture in the technical textiles industry through schemes for start-ups. ATIRA, with its commitment to driving innovation and supporting the industry in adopting cutting-edge technologies, is poised to bridge the gap between academic research and industry. Collaboration with more industry and international partners is a priority for benchmarking with the best.

Collaborative Research and Development

ATIRA and Ahmedabad University are not only introducing a slew of joint research and development projects but also have ambitious plans to establish state-of-the-art facilities for designing, analyzing, manufacturing, and testing composite components and structures, among other endeavors. These facilities will complement the PhD program in Composites and Technical Textiles at Ahmedabad University, supporting internships and providing technical assistance to industry players, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). They will also work on new product development, incubate start-ups and innovators, and offer skill development programs, contributing to the widespread awareness of technical textiles and composites.

"Ahmedabad University Students and Professor Pioneer Indoor Air Quality Research"

Date: October 27, 2023

In the winter of 2022-23, a group of dedicated individuals from Ahmedabad University embarked on a groundbreaking research initiative to investigate indoor air quality within the university campus. Three diligent students, Yash Dahima, specializing in Physics at the doctoral level; Shreya Poojara, pursuing an Integrated MS in Life Sciences; and Abhi Dashrathbhai Patel, a BTech student in Computer Science and Engineering, all researchers at the Air and Climate Research Laboratory, invested their chilly mornings and long hours into this ambitious project.

Their mentor, Aditya Vaishya, an Assistant Professor of Physics in the School of Arts and Sciences, who leads the laboratory, commended their dedication, saying that they worked tirelessly, often remaining on campus until 9 PM, in addition to attending their regular classes during the day. Their primary goal was to identify potential sources of indoor particulate air pollution, compare different indoor micro-environments in terms of air quality, and assess how meteorological conditions, ambient air quality, and various activities influenced indoor air quality.

Despite spending a significant portion of our time indoors – approximately 80 to 90 percent – indoor air quality research has received far less attention than the study of ambient air quality. Professor Vaishya emphasized the urgency of addressing this matter, as it has a substantial impact on our daily lives.

As part of the campaign, the laboratory developed a unique, cost-effective, IoT-based portable air quality monitoring device. This device, which boasts low power consumption and can run on batteries, includes features such as cloud and local data storage, real-time remote monitoring via a web server, a flexible firmware architecture that seamlessly integrates multiple sensors and components, and the ability for remote firmware updates through a web interface. Professor Vaishya explained, "The idea was to deploy several of these devices in indoor spaces across the campus, creating an air quality monitoring network."

The researchers meticulously selected indoor spaces or micro-environments for deploying the air quality devices based on various criteria, including occupancy, foot traffic, emission sources, ventilation, volume, and overall activity levels. Locations included the University Centre Cafeteria, classrooms, program offices, and reading rooms in the basement. Measurements were taken four times a day, starting at 7 AM and ending at 9 PM, and various factors like activity levels, foot traffic, types of activities, window and air conditioning status were recorded. The measurements were not only stored on the local device but also transmitted to a cloud repository for real-time quality checks in the laboratory.

Professor Vaishya praised the contributions of the research team: Abhi Patel assembled the various sensors and developed the firmware for the portable air quality device, monitoring real-time measurements through the web interface. Yash Dahima and Shreya Poojara executed the campaign and conducted the initial screening, while Yash Dahima analyzed the collected data scientifically.

The campaign's findings have been invaluable. Analysis of the recorded data uncovered the intricate relationship between indoor air quality and ambient air quality, offering essential insights for potential solutions. Professor Vaishya pointed out, "Air quality in enclosed indoor spaces is generally better than ambient air quality due to the physical separation, but it closely follows ambient air quality, albeit with a time lag of 20 to 100 minutes, depending on the ventilation rate."

Notably, indoor spaces with active emission sources, such as cooking and welding, remain a concern. Professor Vaishya suggested that source control measures, like proper ventilation hoods and efficient combustion, could significantly enhance indoor air quality. Additionally, the university's efforts to grow an urban forest are expected to further improve indoor air quality by acting as a buffer between the indoors and outdoors.

Ahmedabad Professor and Researchers at TU Delft Combine Two Nobel Prize-Winning Concepts to Monitor Earth’s Climate and Human Health

Ahmedabad University

Date: October 27, 2023

Adarsh Ganesan, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering and Applied Science, collaborated with researchers at TU Delft on building a miniature microchip that is of significant importance in monitoring Earth’s climate, for medical imaging, and for applications in quantum technologies.

Measurement is an integral part of our lives. Whether measuring the length of an object, weighing a kilogram of apples at the local supermarket, or keeping track of our daily water intake in litres, we are accustomed to quantifying the world around us. These measurements are tangible and can be easily perceived by our eyes and measured with the metric system. But what if we were to measure something so minuscule that it exists beyond the scope of a standard ruler or measuring tape? Then the question arises: How do we navigate a world where the minute details evade our grasp? 

Adarsh Ganesan, Assistant Professor, School of Engineering and Applied Science, in collaboration with two researchers, Richard Norte and Matthijs de Jong from TU Delft, addressed this issue in his recent research with the help of two Nobel Prize winning concepts - Optical Frequency Comb (Nobel Prize, 2005) and Optical Trapping also known as Optical Tweezers (Nobel Prize, 2018). This work is published in Nature Communications in March 2023.

Professor Ganesan explains the study: "Optical Frequency Comb is similar to a simple metric ruler, but instead of length, it aims to measure the frequency of a laser or light. We need the precise frequency of a laser to understand how a laser could behave and put it to use." In simpler terms, a laptop's specifications tell us about its ability to perform. Similarly, the frequency of a laser could reveal its potential use. "Despite frequency being an essential property of laser, no devices were good enough to precisely measure this characteristic. The measurement of laser frequency was finally made possible by optical frequency comb," he adds.

Professor Ganesan elaborates on the importance of precision with the example of time. In our day-to-day life, we do not need the exact time down to its milliseconds; just 9:10 AM or 15:45 is enough for our understanding. However, we need to know the time more precisely for complex systems like the GPS, where even a tiny fraction of the time is valuable. He explains the direct use of the optical frequency comb, "An optical atomic clock is a device that gives us precise time, and it uses an optical frequency comb to measure it." The use of frequency combs was widespread in the field of optics. However, its uses were yet to be explored in mechanical, material, or molecular science.

Professor Ganesan's work in this domain dates back to his doctoral studies. In 2017, he published a paper to demonstrate frequency combs in a micro mechanical system. He shares, "The device was like miniature diving boards about the size of a single strand of hair. While we can see them with the naked eye, we would not know their exact measurements." On banging these boards through electrical fields to create simple oscillations, he noticed that they have different modes of vibrations. "This was akin to how the strings of a guitar produce different sounds depending on how you play it," he explains. These mechanical systems, unlike optics, are highly sensitive devices. "Combining the aspects of the exceptional sensitivity of mechanical devices with the potential of a frequency comb, one could develop a precise measurement system which could be used in a wide range of fields," he states.

In his first paper, he combined multiple vibrations of a mechanical device; he later realised that it is a complex and lengthy process. He says, "Many times, you will end up with linear devices where the scope of coupling multiple modes of variations is limited." Finally, in 2023, Professor Ganesan found a shortcut to refine the process by using only one mode of vibrations. Along with these peers from TU Delft, he achieved this feat by putting a micromechanical trampoline of very high quality factor of Optical Trapping. He explains, "A high-quality factor trampoline is similar to a swing which continuously oscillates when stimulated. When placed under an optical trap, a spatially varying force gets imparted on these perpetual mechanical vibrations. This force provides the necessary coupling to create a frequency comb," he adds.

Implications of the ResearchThis refinement of the experiment, by shifting from coupling multiple vibrations to merely exciting one mode of vibration, made frequency combs more accessible, simple, and a low-powered technology. It does not need complex hardware or set-up and can be easily produced. Owing to their minuscule size and flexibility of use, these diving boards and trampolines could be used anywhere and open the door for their application in a wide variety of mechanical systems. This technology could be used to develop devices to monitor minute fluctuations in the Earth's climate, detailed medical imaging, and nanoscopic changes in human health. This research is set to revolutionise how we grasp the microscopic world.