December 2020

 

This is our fourth and final Quarterly Chemmat Knit issue for the year. There’s quite a lot to report and update and I encourage you to please get in touch with us to find out more about any of the items of interest. Please also forward this newsletter to your fellow alumni friends. As you will see in this issue, the 1985 group got together and went on a tour of the new laboratory facilities. We welcome all alumni to let us know if you would like us to organise one for your group. There is also a call for partnership research projects with industry folks, so please do get in touch with us if you have any interest in engaging us with a 4th Year research project idea.

Finally, 2020 draws to a close! I want to use this opportunity to send accolades to staff and students who managed to keep teaching and learning going throughout the year. The Chemmat degree has not been affected or compromised in any way in terms of timeline and current students’ journeys. Also, bravo to the researchers who were able to work around lab closures and restricted access. Despite the restrictions we have still maintained our research outputs and income at usual non-Covid rates.

As the university shuts its doors for the Christmas – New Year break, it goes without saying that we all deserve a good respite from the unpleasantness and drama that was 2020.

While there is no guarantee that 2021 is going to be any easier, we are hopeful that we will be tougher and recharged to take it on.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone – stay safe and healthy.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Ashvin Thambyah

Associate Professor & Head of Department

Chemical & Materials Engineering