This award instituted jointly by Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) and Albertian Institute of Science and Technology (AISAT) is to promote research in the area of Geotechnical Engineering at post graduate level in Kerala State. The main objective of the IGS –AISAT award competition, conducted annually for the M.Tech Civil Engineering students of Kerala state is to promote research in the area of Geotechnical Engineering.
The IGS-AISAT Award Competition for the best M Tech thesis in Geotechnical engineering in Kerala was conducted on Saturday 9th October 2021 through google meet platform due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. The program started at 9:30am with a formal function with the address by Dr. Benny Mathews Abraham, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, AISAT and Dr. Babu T Jose, Patron, IGS, Kochi Chapter. The selected finalists from a lot of 16 candidates presented their M.Tech thesis before the judges for the final evaluation. 10 participants shortlisted were from IIT Palakkad, NIT Calicut, CET Trivandrum, CUSAT, AISAT, Saintgits, IES and Marian Engineering College and they presented their work before the judges. The event was judged by Dr. Anitha G Pillai, Dean, Academic Affairs and Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SCMS School of Engineering & Technology, Karukutty and Dr. Balu E George, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam .The best 5 Thesis were shortlisted and announced on the same day. The winners were awarded during a formal function at AISAT . The best M Tech Thesis in geotechnical Engineering in the academic year 2019-2020 in Kerala state was awarded to Ms. Shimol Philip of Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam for the thesis titled “Influence of filling properties and fill height on bending and shear behaviour of two cell RC skew box culverts for road under bridge (RUB) design” guided by Er. Rakendu R. The award was presented to her by Associate Manager Rev.Fr.Joseph Rajan Kizhavana. The authors of the best five theses were honored with certificates of appreciation and mementos on the same day. This function was graced by the presence of Dr. Babu T Jose, Patron, IGS Kochi Chapter, Mr. M D Nair, Chairman, IGS Kochi Chapter, Dr. Benny Mathews Abraham, Vice Chairman, IGS Kochi Chapter & Head of Civil Engineering Department, AISAT, Dr. Jimmy Thomas, National Executive Committee member, IGS , Dr. Anil Joseph, Honorary Secretary, IGS Kochi Chapter, Rev.Fr. Joseph Rajan Kizhavana, Associate Manager, AISAT and Dr. S Jose, Principal, AISAT