Hands-on Learning in Wastewater Management: Students Visit SRHU STP

Published on: May 5, 2025

On 5th May 2025, students of B.Sc. (Hons.) Data Science, II Semester, from the School of Science & Technology (SST), Swami Rama Himalayan University, undertook an environment field visit to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) located within the university campus. This visit was part of their Environmental Studies curriculum, designed to offer hands-on exposure to sustainable environmental practices, particularly in the domain of wastewater management.

The STP at SRHU treats sewage generated from various sources across the campus, including the hospital, hostels, academic blocks, and residential units. During the visit, students observed and understood the functioning of key treatment components such as the primary sedimentation tank, aeration chambers, secondary sedimentation tank, and sand/activated charcoal filtration units. They also examined and compared the physical characteristics of untreated and treated wastewater, noting visible changes at different stages of the process.

The session was highly engaging, with students actively interacting with facility staff and posing questions to better understand the system’s design and operational logic. Many captured photographs of various units and processes to support their assignment work and deepen their comprehension of the subject.

Coordinated as a part of experiential learning, the visit successfully bridged the gap between theoretical classroom concepts and real-world environmental applications. It not only enhanced the participants’ understanding of wastewater treatment systems but also encouraged analytical thinking and environmental responsibility. A total of 11 students participated, and the experience proved to be both educational and inspiring for those involved.

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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.