Hyderabad: A lecture on ‘Safety in Design’ at GITAM
Dr. Roshan Nair, Technical Director of Tunnels and Transportation at Mott MacDonald, Australia, delivered a guest lecture on ‘Tunnels – Safety in Design, Sustainability, Digitization & AI’ at GITAM School of Technology (GST), Hyderabad, on October 24, 2024. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, in association with the Institution of Engineers (India) student chapter, GITAM.
In his lecture, Dr. Nair highlighted key aspects of safety in design, emphasizing the importance of identifying potential hazards early and enhancing engineers’ capacity to control them. He discussed the challenges faced during various projects worldwide and the innovative solutions implemented to overcome them. Dr. Nair stressed the importance of sustainability in engineering, advocating for designs that are reusable and adaptable for multiple purposes. He cited examples like using boreholes for both investigation and future water extraction, underlining the need for scalable and multi-purpose designs that support long-term project lifecycles.
He also spoke about the transformative role of digitization and AI in engineering. According to Dr. Nair, digitization enables the creation of interoperable solutions, which can be adapted across different contexts, helping engineers develop innovative, scalable materials and techniques. He encouraged young engineers to embrace these technologies, highlighting their role in helping India achieve its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. He underscored the importance of quality control and thorough reviews to eliminate errors in engineering projects.
Dr. Nair emphasized that AI, while powerful, still requires human oversight, and engineers will continue to play a crucial role in providing solutions. He advised students to dream big and set ambitious goals, assuring them that with dedication, they can achieve their aspirations in the engineering field.
During his visit, Dr. Nair also toured various GITAM laboratories, including G-Electra, aeromodelling, and Technology Exploration and Product Engineering Lab, gaining insights into the cutting-edge research being conducted at the institution.
Prof. N. Seetaramaiah, Associate Director of GST, felicitated Dr. Nair, and Dr. Akhilesh, HoD, Civil proposed vote of thanks. Dr. P. Srinivas, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering also coordinated the overall event.
