The week-long training program on material characterization techniques under the Synergistic Training program Utilizing the Scientific and Technological Infrastructure (STUTI) commenced from Thursday 5th January 2023 at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. The training program is being organized by Departments of Physics and Chemistry, MIT, Manipal in joint collaboration with Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. This event is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. The STUTI Scheme is intended to build human resource and its capacity building through open access to S&T Infrastructure across the country by organizing training program on DST supported R&D equipment targeting Scientists/Professors/PhDs and PDFs actively involved in research across various institutions in the country.

The inaugural session of the training program was held at Sir M V Seminar Hall, MIT, Manipal on 5th January 2023. Cdr. (Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, Manipal was the president, Prof. R. G. Sonkawade, PMU Coordinator, STUTI Program, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra was the Guest of Honour and Dr. Vinod V. Thomas, Registrar Evaluation, MAHE, Manipal was the Chief Guest for the inaugural function.

Participants from Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam and Tamil Nadu are attending this national level training program. Fourteen plenary lectures are being delivered during the seven days’ program and also hands-on training on various research instruments being conducted for the participants. The conveners of the program are Prof. Mohan Rao K and Prof. Suma A Rao. The week-long event is being coordinated by Dr. Ismayil, Dr. Gurumurthy S C and Dr. Sudhakar Y N.