Nagpur.
The 18th National Seminar on Aerospace Structures (NASAS) was organized at Vishvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur in collaboration with Aeronautical Research and Development Board (AR & DB), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, New Delhi, Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force, Nagpur and Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, was inaugurated on December 15, 2014 by Chief Architect of the Pride of Indian Air force Aircraft LCA Tejas Dr. Shri Kota Hari Narayana. LCA Tejas was fully designed, developed and manufactured indigenously by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore.
Dr. Shri Kota Hari Narayana shared his vast experience with indigenously developed Fighter Aircraft LCA Tejas and acknowledged the contribution of the distinguished Alumni of VNIT Dr. Mangalgiri for the programme. He also emphasized the need of the Aluminium and Aluminium-Lithium Alloys which can be focussed upon for the research activities in VNIT in near future especially when JNARDDC is actively collaborating with VNIT.
The inaugural programme commenced with welcome address by Director of VNIT Prof. N. S. Chaudhari who highlighted the importance of this conference related to Aerospace Engineering. He appraised about the multidisciplinary research activities of the VNIT because of which the Seminar could be organized at VNIT although there is in formal Aerospace Engineering programme in the institute.
Conference Chair of MME, VNIT Prof. R. K. Paretkar highlighted the theme of the Seminar “Better Structures and their Better Understanding”. He also emphasized the need of close research interaction of the Aero Community and Materials scientist at VNIT.
Prof. C. Venkatesan briefed about the activities of AR&DB (Aeronautical Research and Development Board) and also mentioned about the participation of VNIT in the National research programme of AR&DB.
Chairman of VNIT Vishram Jamdar emphasized the need of establishing strong industrial linkages for utilizing the research output for the technologies in Aerospace engineering. The need of translating the technology to manufacturing level through the interface of R&D activities was highlighted in his speech.
On the occasion, a souvenir was released and MoUs were signed with ARCI and JNARDDC for consolidation of research activities and exchange programme in future. Director ARCI Dr. Shrikant Joshi, and Director JNARDDC Dr. A. Agnihotri were present on this occasion. The Convener of the seminar Prof. D. R. Peshwe, introduced the chief guest Dr. Shri Kota Hari Narayana and also proposed the vote of Thanks.
