In a landmark achievement for NIT Puducherry, Ms. Shimol Philip, a Senior Research Fellow pursuing her Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. Nidhi M, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been selected for the prestigious Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship (PIEF) Programme. She is the first student from the institute to be awarded this highly competitive fellowship.
Only 10 candidates from reputed institutions across India made it to the final selection list, making Ms. Shimol’s recognition all the more significant.
Fellowship to Support AI-Driven Green Concrete Research
Ms. Shimol’s research focuses on sustainable concrete technologies, with a specific emphasis on using artificial intelligence to predict the properties of eco-friendly concrete materials. As part of the fellowship, she will work closely with Sonocrete GmbH, a Germany-based startup known for its cutting-edge innovations aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the concrete industry.
During her six-month fellowship beginning in August 2025, she will also gain access to state-of-the-art lab facilities at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, one of Germany’s leading institutions in architecture, civil engineering, and material sciences.
Indo-German Fellowship Promotes Applied Research Collaboration
The PIEF Programme is a joint initiative by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It is designed to promote industrial exposure for Ph.D. scholars engaged in applied scientific research with real-world impact potential.
Fellows receive full financial support, including a monthly stipend, airfare, visa and insurance costs, and comprehensive health coverage for the duration of their stay in Germany.
Institutional Recognition and Pride
Prof. Makarand Madhao Ghangrekar, Director of NIT Puducherry, personally congratulated Ms. Shimol and her mentor Dr. Nidhi M during a meeting at his office. He commended their outstanding contribution to the institute’s growing reputation in advanced research and global academic engagement.
“This milestone reflects our institute’s dedication to nurturing high-quality research talent and fostering international collaboration,” Prof. Ghangrekar noted.
The achievement not only marks a personal success for Ms. Shimol but also reinforces NIT Puducherry’s expanding presence on the global scientific stage, particularly in the domain of sustainable infrastructure and advanced civil engineering research.
