The Department of Mathematics, School of Engineering and Sciences (SEAS), SRM University-AP, successfully organised Chetna 3.0: Awakening Mathematical Minds, a two-day Summer Programme held on May 28–29, 2026, as an academic outreach initiative to inspire undergraduate students and faculty members to explore mathematics beyond the conventional classroom.

Fully funded by SRM University-AP, the programme reflected the University’s commitment to academic outreach, student mentoring, and promoting mathematical sciences. The support enabled lectures, interactive sessions, student engagement activities, accommodation, meals, and travel assistance for eligible participants.

The event was graced by Prof. C. V. Tomy, Dean, SEAS and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jayaseelan Murugaiyan, Associate Dean – Admission Outreach and Research Collaborations, and Prof. Kalyan Chakraborty, Head, Department of Mathematics.

Participants from various institutions, including D N R College, GVP Degree & PG College, St Ann’s College for Women, S V Degree College, and SRKR Engineering College, joined the programme to engage with faculty members, researchers, PhD scholars, and students.

The first day featured a lecture by Prof. Kalyan Chakraborty, “From Primes to Passwords: How Prime Numbers Keep Your Data Safe,” introducing participants to the role of mathematics in cryptography and digital security. This was followed by an engaging mathematics quiz conducted by PhD scholars and a session by Dr Tapan Kumar Hota on academic pathways and careers in mathematics, highlighting opportunities in research, data science, modelling, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary applications. The day concluded with student interaction sessions sharing experiences in higher education and research.

Day two included a Campus and Library Tour, an admissions session, and a talk by Dr Vijayakrishna Rowthu, “Why Solve It Manually When You Have Wolfram Mathematica?”, showcasing the role of computational tools in mathematical exploration and problem-solving.

Chetna 3.0 created a vibrant platform for academic interaction and reaffirmed SRM University-AP’s commitment to nurturing mathematical curiosity, outreach, and future-ready learning.