Rubber Technology workshop at MIT, Pune
Polymer Engineering Department of MAEER’s Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) Pune, Maharashtra, organised a Two Days State Level Workshop on Rubber Technology (SLWRT-2016) on 7 and 8th January 2016. MAEER's Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) established in 1983, is today amongst the top engineering colleges in India. Polymer engineering degree course is affiliated to the Savitribai Phule Pune University and Rubber technology is a very important component of this course. The workshop was planned by Polymer Engineering Department in view to promote awareness about rubber and to generate trained manpower for rubber Industries. The BCUD, Savitribai Phule Pune University, had sponsored and approved the workshop. The workshop focused on chemistry, processing and testing of the rubber.
Prof. Jyoti A. Pandit and Dr. V.A.E. Shaikh worked as conveners of this workshop. In addition to the one day exhaustive technical sessions, three industrial visits were also arranged to K.D.Joshi rubber Industries Pvt.Ltd, Raksha Polycoats Pvt. Ltd. and Auto Cluster Development and Research Institute, Pune to have actual feel and hands on experience. On special request by Dr. Anjali Bishnoy (Asst. Prof. SRICT – Ankleshwar, Gujrat) to Mr. Vikram Makar, a visit to Oriental Rubbers Ltd. was organized for a group of students from Gujrat.
Academic sessions were conducted by Dr. V.A.E Shaikh (MIT, Pune), Dr Anjali Athawale (Department of Chemistry, Savitribai Phule Pune University), Mr. Anil Pais (Apollo Tyres) Dr.Aparna Joshi (K.D.Joshi Rubber Industries Pvt.Ltd.), Mr Abhijit Sarkar (Raksha Polycoats Pvt Ltd) and Mr.Ninad Joshi (K.D.Joshi Rubber Industries Pvt.Ltd)
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Vikram Makar, Vice President AIRIA & Chairman and Managing director of Oriental rubber Industries Pvt. Ltd. In his inaugural address he shared his vision on rubber industries and explained the need of trained manpower in rubber industry and promised a bright future and excellent opportunities in view of unprecedented growth of rubber industry in coming decade. Principal, Dr.L.K.Kshirsagar assured that MIT would take initiative in promoting education in rubber technology in the form of short courses and electives.
The workshop received an overwhelming response with 83 participants from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Workshop was highly appreciated by industries as well as participants and was a great success.