June News
A Moment of Grace and Responsibility
In the sacred silence of a church, we often see a priest standing before the congregation. He may not always be the wisest, the most talented, or the most scholarly in the scriptures. Yet, once chosen to stand in that space, he carries a responsibility, not of perfection, but of presence. He becomes a vessel, entrusted to speak, to guide, and to serve.
These words, shared by Nazeeb Sir, deeply resonate with me.
Today, I stood before an august gathering that included the respected IQAC Director and faculty members from across the University, not as the most accomplished, but as one entrusted with a message. It is not position, but purpose that calls us to speak. And when chosen, we must honour that moment with humility and readiness.
The occasion was the One-Day Workshop on Content Creation on SWAYAM Platform, organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), University of Kerala, held on 20th June 2025 at CLIF, Kariavattom Campus. I had the honour of participating and sharing in this important academic dialogue.
Sharing here a glimpse of the certificate from the event, a small token of a meaningful moment, and a reminder of the grace that sometimes comes with responsibility.
Grateful. Humbled. Inspired.
As part of the observance of Anti-Drug Day on 26th June 2025, our institution, under the directive of the Department of Higher Education, actively participated in the state-wide initiative to raise awareness against substance abuse. The Anti-Drug Pledge was solemnly taken by all students and staff, reaffirming our collective commitment to a drug-free academic environment. The event highlighted the importance of staying vigilant and responsible in shaping a healthier future. Sharing here a few glimpses from the pledge-taking ceremony that captured the spirit of unity and resolve.
Successful Conduct of Pre-submission Seminars by Ms. Akhila Murali J. and
Ms. Shilpa R.
The Department of Physics, University of Kerala, successfully hosted the Ph.D. pre-submission seminars of two promising researchers — Ms. Akhila Murali J. and Mrs. Shilpa R. — under the combined guidance of Dr. Sibi K. S. and respective co-supervisors.
Ms. Akhila Murali J., research scholar from the Department of Physics, presented her doctoral work titled “Optical Response and Spectral Tuning of Folic Acid-Derived Multifunctional Carbon Dots” on 9th June 2025 at 10:00 A.M. in K. S. Viswanathan Hall in hybrid mode. The University of Kerala had nominated Dr. S. Narayana Kalkura, Emeritus Professor, Crystal Growth Centre, Anna University, Chennai as the subject expert for the seminar. The session witnessed active participation from faculty members and scholars, with valuable discussions on carbon dot synthesis, optical tuning mechanisms, and bio-compatible applications.
Following this, on 16th June 2025, Mrs. Shilpa R., Research Scholar at the Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, presented her Ph.D. thesis titled “Molybdenum Disulfide Based High Performance Electrode Materials for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting.” As the external expert, Dr. N. Sandhyarani, Professor at NIT Calicut, graced the session. The work highlights the design and performance evaluation of MoS₂-based electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen generation, and attracted detailed feedback on the material's synthesis, stability, and catalytic behavior.
Both seminars were conducted in hybrid mode and were well-attended by members from the Department of Physics, NIIST, and associated institutions. The events provided a platform for scholarly exchange and constructive critique, paving the way toward successful thesis submission and defense.
A few glimpses from the seminars are shared below.
Bridging Earth and Space: Reflections on Coordinating IIRS Outreach Programs
Over the past academic year, I have had the privilege of serving as the coordinator for a series of insightful and future-focused online outreach programs organized by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO. As a faculty member in the Department of Physics, University of Kerala, it has been truly fulfilling to support these programs, which introduced participants to the dynamic applications of remote sensing, GIS, planetary science, disaster management, and AI technologies in Earth and space studies.
Programs Coordinated (2024–2025):
Basics of Remote Sensing, GIS & GNSS
Aug 27 – Nov 22, 2024Overview of Global Navigation Satellite System
Sep 23 – Oct 4, 2024Overview of Geographical Information System
Oct 14 – Nov 1, 2024Overview of Geocomputation and Geo-web Services
Nov 4 – Nov 8, 2024Air Pollutants: Implications, Monitoring and Modeling
Nov 18 – Nov 22, 2024One-day Workshop: Deep Learning in Ecological Studies
Nov 27, 2024Geo-data Sharing and Cyber Security
Dec 9 – Dec 20, 2024One-day Workshop: Martian Surface, Analogues and Atmosphere
Mar 12, 2025Space Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction
Mar 24 – Mar 28, 2025
From deep learning in ecological contexts to cybersecurity in geospatial systems, from Earth monitoring to the surface of Mars, each program opened new avenues of learning and awareness. Coordinating these courses was an opportunity to promote academic collaboration and technological curiosity among participants across disciplines.
I thank IIRS-ISRO for providing these learning platforms and look forward to continued engagements that empower the next generation of scientists and thinkers.
— Dr. Sibi K S
Coordinator | Department of Physics
University of Kerala
I am happy to share that Ms. Nithya P., M.Sc. Physics student from Kannur University (2023–2025 batch), has successfully completed her master’s thesis titled “Structural, Optical, and Antibacterial Characterization of CuO–PVA Nanocomposite.” The work was carried out under joint guidance Dr. Neethu Hari (Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala) and myself. The study presents findings on the synthesis and multifunctional properties of CuO–PVA nanocomposites with potential applications in optics and biomedicine. Congratulations to Nithya on her dedicated effort and successful completion of the project. Sharing a photo with her.
🌿 Celebrating World Environment Day
On June 5, 2025, the Department of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, along with the Department of Physics at the University of Kerala, joined the global community in celebrating World Environment Day. Soil degradation is an escalating global concern that threatens food security, biodiversity, and climate stability. According to UNESCO, up to 90% of the planet's land surface could be degraded by 2050 if current trends continue. Each year, approximately 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost, significantly impacting agricultural productivity. Soil degradation directly affects our ability to produce food. The United Nations estimates that about 30% of land is degraded worldwide, impacting the livelihoods of 3.2 billion people. If current practices persist, we may face a future where traditional farming becomes increasingly challenging, leading to higher food prices and increased hunger. Addressing soil degradation requires a concerted global effort. Initiatives like the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 15 aim to combat desertification and restore degraded land by 2030. Students and faculty engaged in meaningful discussions on this.
Site Visit to Alappuzha and Pandalam
Centres for Networking Infrastructure Planning
As part of the
preparatory work for implementing enhanced networking infrastructure at various
University centres, we conducted a detailed site inspection at the Alappuzha and Pandalam centres on 30.05.2025.
The objective of the visit was to assess the current infrastructure and collect
key inputs required for preparing the detailed cost estimates for the upcoming
networking-related works. The inspection team comprised of Mr. Arun, Assistant Engineer; Mr. Akhil, Technician; myself, Sibi K. S., Instrumentation
Engineer; and Dr. Gopakumar Sir,
Controller of Examinations. Together, we visited both centres, examined the
existing facilities, and discussed the technical requirements to ensure
seamless integration of the proposed upgrades. I am happy to share a few
snapshots from the visit documenting the collaborative effort of the team
towards this important initiative.
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