Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The School of Mechanical Engineering (SoME) at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, has commenced a one-week online workshop on “Factory of the Future: Evolution, Present Trends, and Future Perspectives”. Sponsored under the PM-USHA scheme, the workshop is being coordinated by Prof. Raghvendra Kumar Mishra and Dr. Amit Sinha and aims to promote awareness of emerging manufacturing technologies and their applications in modern industry.
The inaugural session was graced by Prof. Balbir Singh, Dean Academics, SMVDU, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Yatheshth Anand, Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering, as the Guest of Honour. In his inaugural address, Prof. Singh highlighted the significance of the workshop in the present industrial scenario, stressing the growing importance of advanced manufacturing technologies and the need to equip faculty members with knowledge of emerging industrial trends.
Dr. Anand spoke of the paradigm shift under way in the manufacturing sector as a result of rapid technological advancement. He informed participants that the School of Mechanical Engineering has introduced minor specialisations in emerging areas such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and 3D Printing. He also appreciated the School’s efforts in organising the workshop and promoting technology-oriented education in line with contemporary industrial requirements.
The programme has drawn an encouraging response, with 221 faculty members from engineering colleges across the country registering to take part. The turnout reflects the growing interest among academic professionals in advanced manufacturing, smart factories, and Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies.
Over the week, experts from the IITs, NITs, industry and other reputed academic and research institutions will deliver lectures on various aspects of the Factory of the Future. The sessions cover emerging manufacturing technologies, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, digital twins, additive manufacturing, smart automation, predictive maintenance, sustainable manufacturing and future industrial developments.
The concept of the smart factory, in which connected machines, sensors and data analytics work together to improve efficiency and reduce waste, is reshaping how goods are designed and produced across the world. For engineering institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, introducing faculty to such trends is a necessary step towards preparing graduates for industries that increasingly demand digital and automation skills.
The workshop seeks to strengthen understanding of contemporary manufacturing practices, encourage the integration of emerging technologies into engineering education, and promote research and innovation in advanced and sustainable manufacturing systems. Through this initiative, SMVDU continues to promote academic excellence, faculty development and industry-relevant technical education in emerging areas of engineering and technology.
