Second Session on Webinars on VR/AR from June

Next Phase to Focus on 

Start-Ups

A great initiative has been taken by MAKAUT, WB to organize Webinars every Saturday from 3 pm to 4 pm encompassing emerging and immersive technologies in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) for students. It was decided by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saikat Maitra, and Prof. Samir Mukherjee, Head, Department of Emerging Technology & VR/AR/MR/XR, MAKAUT and also an international expert to enhance the technical skills of the students.

Want to develop games or movies or do something innovative? Now it is within your reach as MAKAUT, WB has brought forth the lifetime opportunity to master the art of emerging and immersive technologies in the fields of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR). MAKAUT, WB is organizing Webinars every Saturday from 3 pm to 4 pm on this topic for students. It was decided by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr) Saikat Maitra, and Prof. Samir Mukherjee, Head, Department of Emerging Technology & VR/AR/MR/XR, MAKAUT and also an international expert to enhance the technical skills of the students during this Lockdown period. Day by day it is being widely accepted that Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies are becoming more and more important all over the world in various fields and also in the teaching-learning process. It is needless to mention that medical science, journalism, tourism and entertainment industry has undergone a sea change with the help of these immersive technologies. Experts are of the opinion that these technologies will penetrate more into India in the coming days.

The ongoing session is explaining the technology and process related to VR/AR Technology. The next session is to start in Mid-June, 2020, with another set of eminent speakers for an emerging field. That will focus on Practical Solutions for applying the technology and Development of VR/AR Start-Ups.

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEBINARS:

·     Mr Gianluigi Perrone (creator of Dogma VR Storytelling Method) on 18.04.2020. (Already Delivered)

·       Mr Peter Vesterbacka (Developer of puzzle video game Angry Birds) on 25.04.2020.

·  Dr Barbara Lippe (First VR Series developer in the World, founder of Entrez) on 02.05.2020

·       Mr Laurent Chretian on 09.05.2020

·       Mr Petteri Jacobsson on 16.05.2020

·       Mr Salar Sahana on 23.05.2020

·       Mr Eliza Flores on 30.05.2020

·  Mr Gianluigi Perrone (creator of Dogma VR Storytelling Method) on 18.04.2020. (Already Delivered)

This week’s guest has been on my wish list since I first had the idea for the webinar, and I am really happy that we finally made it happen. Italian writer-director-producer Gianluigi Perrone is something of a Renaissance man. He’s been an author, the screenwriter of cult film Morituris, a film critic and editor of Italian genre journal Nocturno, a director or producer of both occult projects like The 7th Night of Thelema as well as family films, and he’s now a pioneering director and creator of VR projects in different part of the Globe, who applies his passion for and training in neuroscience to his cinematic efforts. Now L&G please welcome our beloved Gianluigi Perrone.

·       Mr Peter Vesterbacka (Developer of puzzle video game Angry Birds) on 25.04.2020. ( Already Delivered)  )

He is an entrepreneur and former mighty eagle of Angry Birds. L& G please welcome Peter Vesterbacka. Peter is very well-known in India, he was instrumental in arranging a business treaty between Govt. of India & Govt. of Finland in the year 2017.

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·       Dr Barbara Lippe (First VR Series developer in the World, founder of Entrez) on 02.05.2020 ( Already Delivered)  )

Dr Barbara Lippe bridges creativity with a deep knowledge of the business of XR entertainment. Having created video-game characters and avatars for virtual worlds in Japan she went on to found entreZ, an award-winning VR content studio premiering one of the world's first 12k stereoscopic 360 dramas.

Barbara holds a PhD in game studies, was appointed Head of Curation at VR Days Europe and co-founded the LBVR company Holodeck VR. Researching on the philosophical implications of XR she speaks at conferences worldwide and has been selected as one of the 101 most influential women in VR.

·       Mr Laurent Chretian on 09.05.2020 (already delivered)
Immersed for 8 years in the european ecosystem of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR-

AR), Laurent is a specialist in the new uses of these technologies. He is in charge of the Laval 

cluster dedicated to VR and AR and actively participates in the economic development of the 

territory. He is leading the Laval Virtual Center dedicated to VR and AR uses innovation and the 

international Laval Virtual exhibition and conference, world leader in its specialty for 22 years with 

more than 300 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors in 2019.

·       Mr Petteri Jacobsson on 16.05.2020: Petteri Jakobsson is the most experienced entertainment, circus, Theatre & Simphony producer in XR, (extended Reality) domain in Finland. Besides producing he has also had a long career as an artist and has worked widely within Entertainment arena influencing the development of Finnish circus scene on many levels. Petteri has produced over 35 performances and he is one of the founders of Circus Ruska Festival, the oldest contemporary circus festival in Finland, which he managed for 10 years.
Together with Maksim Komaro he founded development office Maracat Caravan in 2013 which aims to develop new production and collaboration models to create sustainable circus arts.
Since 2017. Petteri has focused on developing AR and VR concepts. Virtual Circus has created several AR concepts for circuses, theaters and symphony orchestra. Their AR photo exhibition, Circus in Person has toured in several countries around the world. Currently the company is working on a performance series in VR format.

Petteri Jakobsson is also a important part of Helsinki XR Centre, the home of extended reality.

So, students, make this opportunity count and register immediately. This could be the turning point of your career. You are the future of this country and the country’s development depends on you. Now is the time to grab this opportunity and do pioneering works in every field using VR/AR. Your future is in your hand and the country’s future in yours.

 For registration drop a mail to samirmukherjee@gmail.com .

MAKAUT Welcomes Students Compelled to Return to West Bengal from Foreign Countries and other States

LOCAL versus GLOBAL

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), WB is welcoming students returning to India from foreign countries, under compelling circumstances in the wake of Corona Pandemic. The same is applicable to students returning to West Bengal from other Indian states.

They may not be able to continue their studies in the International Institution, or Colleges in other Indian states where they took admission due to the crisis triggered by the spread of Corona Virus. These students will be able to continue their studies in MAKAUT, or any of its affilliated college. Most of the students studying in UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and the other part of the world are not in a position to return. They are in a difficult situation and MAKAUT is trying its best to ease their situation and concentrate in their career building.

Prof. (Dr.) Saikat Maitra, Vice Chancellor of MAKAUT, WB said, “We are glad that MAKAUT has come up with such a great initiative where they will give a chance to these students to complete their studies in MAKAUT and its affilliated colleges at a very reasonable cost through a proper planning and implementation. This will not let their studies get hampered and at the same time will also create a new dimension for their career”. He said, if any student applies for admission, the procedure for admission will be as follows:

• An Expert Committee of MAKAUT, WB will have to give approval
• There must be a Course matching with the curriculum studied by the student in the previous University
• The College must have vacant seat for admiting the student

"We have decided to extend the scope of education in our University and our affiliated colleges for those students who will be compelled to return to our State from abroad or from other states due to adverse conditions arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. An expert committee has been set up to consider the applications of such interested students based on their current semester or subjects of study," said Partha Pratim Lahiri, Registrar of MAKAUT.

Prof. Maitra proposed the initiative at the recent online meeting of the Academic Council of the university. Several colleges affiliated to MAKAUT have also placed this proposal during recent telephonic conferences. Some colleges have already received phone calls from students pursuing education abroad as the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal is much better in comparison to some other States in the country and abroad.

Mail id:

The interested students can send their applications with their preferred course details at registrar.makaut@gmail.com for consideration of the expert committee, however, the admission will depend on the availability of seats and the subjects they are studying at present. 

Online Summer Training on Ethical Hacking from 18.05.2020 for MAKAUT, WB Students

A Joint Effort of MAKAUT, WB and Indian School of Ethical Hacking

The Department of Forensic Science of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology and Indian Achool of Ethical Hacking (ISOEH) organizes an Online Summer Training for the benefit of the students in the midst of Lockdown. The course is offered at a very concessional rate. Classes will be conducted by ISOEH faculties. Hurry up to enroll.

ISOEH, training wing of ISOAH Data Securities Pvt. Ltd.(www.isoah.com) has several years of experience in IT Security Industry working with Governments, law enforcement agencies and Corporate clients. This school is an effort to impart in-depth IT security know-how to fresher engineers as well as senior working professionals. At ISOEH, the training is imparted by only Ethical hackers who are associated with the IT Security industry over the last 10 years; and are qualified ISO / IEC 27001: 2013 Lead Auditors, CCNP, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISSP, CISA, ITIL, OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional).

Haringhata Administration is full of Praise for MAKAUT, WB during Corona Pandemic

An Appreciation for Social Consciousness 

The outbreak of Corona Pandemic has rendered helpless a large section of the society. Many have to live without food and any kind of protection like sanitizer or mask to fight against the deadly Corona virus.

Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), WB has wasted no time and is standing beside the common people at this moment of crisis. MAKAUT is also helping the Government,  administration and doctors. It is one of the first institutions to distribute hand sanitizers and masks free of cost to various Government departments and the needy in the Haringhata area. It has started Community Kitchen to distribute cooked food among the helpless.

Such sincere efforts on the part of MAKAUT have been lauded by Government authorities, police officials, doctors, social workers, common people and all sections of society. In fact the Haringhata area is full of praise for MAKAUT and the efforts of Prof. Maitra.

Assistant Registrar 

The Assistant Registrar of the University Mr Anup Kumar Mukherjee interacted with the BDO. He has highly appreciated the efforts put in by the University.

Mr. Mukherjee had also visited the Chairman of Haringhata Municipality, Sri Manik Lal Bhatta and Inspector In-Charge (IC), Haringhata. He thanked MAKAUT and its Vice Chancellor for their sincere efforts.

MAKAUT also visited the 63 Battalion Sasastra Seema Bal (SSB). Mr. Mukherjee interacted with the Chief Medical Officer of SSB Dr. S Halder. He was full of praise for MAKAUT family's caring attitude.

Smt. Ratna Ghosh Kar, a social worker also praised the spirit of MAKAUT to fight the Corona Virus.

Smt Nilima Nag, MLA Haringhta is also thankful to MAKAUT for all its activities.

Sri Arup Mukherjee, social worker, Kalyani division appreciated the whole-hearted efforts of MAKAUT. He himself helped MAKAUT in doing several nobel works in the area.

These are really proud moments for the MAKAUT family. This will inspire the University to carry on much more of such activities throughout West Bengal in future.

Papaya Orchard Project at the Haringhata Campus

Green Haringhata

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), WB has taken up a vegetation project at its lush green Haringhata Campus. The project is planned by the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. (Dr.) Saikat Maitra, in order to utilize the vast land area in the campus.

Under this project, the University has decided increase the plantations portion by planting more trees. Accordingly, in the unused land at the backyard of the Guest House 200 papaya trees have been planted on 9th May 2020 by the gardeners of the University. The land was prepared beforehand for planting trees under the supervision of Assistant Registrar of the University Mr. Anup Kumar Mukherjee.  

These are hybrid varieties of papaya plant and will produce larger quantities, compared to the traditional variety. The farmers and gardeners are entrusted with the task of upkeeping and maintaining the orchard.

Here is a video of the planting of papaya plants where Assistant Regisrar Mr. Mukherjee has talked with the farmers.

MAKAUT, WB proposes Hand Sanitizer Manufacturing as Entrepreneurship Programme

A New Boost to Start-Ups

The Vice-Chancellor, other faculties and staff busy preparing hand-sanitizer at the Salt Lake Campus on 20.03.2020

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), WB is taking an active part in the fight against Corona Virus, under the able guidance of Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Saikat Maitra. He has prepared hand sanitizer according to the guidelines provided by World Health Organization (WHO) in his own initiative, just after the corona crisis intensified in March end. It was produced at the Haringhata and Salt Lake Campuses on war footing. Initially it has been distributed amongst the staff of MAKAUT, to various Government offices and among the needy. 

 At this juncture, Prof. Maitra has proposed to invite Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Start-up ventures to set up hand sanitizer manufacturing units at the Haringhata Campus. In this respect, an online meeting was held on 06.05.2020 on developing hand sanitizer as a start-up entrepreneurship programme chaired by Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saikat Maitra. It was attended by the Directors of the University and the Officers, Members of the Entrepreneurship Cell besides Executive Magistrate, Nadia Mr Debasish Mondal and Computer Academy (SCA, a unit of Utkarsha Bangla) Director Mr. Sudip Chowdhury were invited to the meeting. 

Assistant Registrar of MAKAUT Shri Anup Kumar Mukherjee placed in the meeting the different proposals received in the Haringhata Campus of the University (nos. 3) on start-ups for development of hand sanitizer – one from WBSIDC, the other from an ancillary unit of Utkarsha Bangla (a Govt. of West Bengal venture entrusted with development of start-ups) and another from a local entrepreneur.

Prof. Maitra himself preparing sanitizer at Salt Lake

In the meeting a proposal was placed entitled “Venture, Entrepreneurship, Development & Innovation Cell (VEDIC) by Dr. Sushil Pareek. A detailed discussion took place as to how University can become a part in the development of the local economy by encouraging start-ups using its resource and technology knowhow considering the economic scenario in this lockdown period arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally it was resolved from the meeting that: 

i) University shall welcome the proposals received maintaining nominal official formalities and for the same EOI (Expression of Interest) inviting nominations from the entrepreneurs for setting up of hand sanitizer units in a collaborative manner with University. The format for the same shall be forwarded by the Registrar for uploading in the University website after necessary vetting by the legal cell. The draft of the format inviting EOI to be prepared by Assistant Registrar Shri Anup Kumar Mukherjee in consultation with Director Management Sciences Dr. Indranil Mukherjee. According to the proposal received, screening will take place through a committee and the Entrepreneurship Cell of University shall be a part of the whole enterprise which shall be treated as a Unit of the University only. Advisory shall be provided by the Directors and Officers of the University and the financial matters and legal matters involved shall be taken care of by Finance Officer and Registrar respectively including profit sharing and other cost related matters. 

ii) Initially University to start with setting up of unit for development of hand sanitizer in a collaborative manner and Technology knowhow, necessary place for setting up of the project (both in Haringhata and Salt Lake to be explored) and quality assurance support to be provided by the University. All other requirements for setting up of the project / unit to be the sole responsibility of the entrepreneur and in lieu the label of the product shall bear the logo of the University as well as its name in full. Quality assurance of the product by conducting random checking shall be monitored by a team comprising of Prof. Raja Banerjee, Dr. C. M. Hussain, Dr. Tapas Ghosh, Dr. Chabita Saha, Dr. Ananta Kumar Das. 

iii) The proposal placed by Dr. Sushil Pareek entitled “Venture, Entrepreneurship, Development & Innovation Cell (VEDIC) was accepted in the meeting and Registrar to proceed with the vetting of the document by the legal cell of the University. 

The Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of the University always encourages entrepreneurship initiatives from the students and the young generation, as this a lucrative career for building their future. So, the idea behind this proposal for sanitizer manufacturing unit is to help the new generation grab the market and start their own ventures. The outbreak of the Corona Pandemic has created huge demand for sanitizer and other healthcare products. Thus the entrepreneurs can take this opportunity to meet the supply gap and at the same time generate employment.

Bottled Sanitizres Ready to be Distributed

Enroll to COURSERA Free Courses

A Great Opportunity for Faculties and Students 

Under the Campus initiative programme of COURSERA with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal, Coursera has provided 1100 free licenses for enrolling to 3788 courses covering areas under Management, Arts and Humanities and almost all areas of Science, Engineering and Technology. Out of these, about 600 licenses still remain to be utilized. Interested faculty members and students of affiliated colleges of the University are hereby invited to apply for enrolment to Coursera free courses being offered under the umbrella of the University. 

Kindly note that Coursera provides free enrolments to its courses up to 31st July, 2020. Selection of participants for enrolment may be done through screening as per norms to be decided by MAKAUT, in case the number of applicants exceeds the number of available licenses. 

The applicants are requested to submit their applications through their HODs/College Authorities mentioning their name, department, email, name of the Institution, semester (for students), University Roll No. (for students). 

The applications are to be sent to the mail id makautonlinecourse@gmail.com within 10 days of the publication of the notification on 04.05.2020.

Coursera is an American online learning platform founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller that offers massive open online courses (MOOCs), specializations, and degrees. Coursera works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses, specializations, and degrees in a variety of subjects, such as engineering, data science, machine learning, mathematics, business, computer science, digital marketing, humanities, medicine, biology, social sciences, and others.