Introduction

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Department of Applied Science, SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, Haryana, continued the Aarambhika 2026 – Freshers’ Induction Programme with Day 3 on 20 August 2026.

The day was structured to provide students with a balanced combination of skill enhancement, technical insights, social responsibility awareness, mental well-being, creative group dynamics, and administrative completion. The morning sessions took place in the Sri Sarveswarar Auditorium, followed by a classroom activity and academic document submission in the second half.

Corporate Professional Talk: “Skill Up, Scale Up”

The first session of the day, titled “Skill Up, Scale Up”, was delivered by Mr. Sahil Sahore, Corporate Coach and TEDx Speaker. The session focused on empowering new students with strategies for continuous skill development and self-growth needed to navigate higher education and future professional endeavors. Mr. Sahore emphasized the importance of personal branding, adaptability, and scaling up one's capabilities alongside academic learning. The talk encouraged freshers to adopt a proactive growth mindset from their very first day on campus.

Corporate Professional Talk: “Automate, Predict & Optimize: AI Driven DevOps with Xebia”

The second session, “Automate, Predict & Optimize: AI Driven DevOps with Xebia,” was jointly delivered by industry experts from Xebia Academy: Dr. Swati Tyagi, Full Stack and Data Trainer, and Mr. Utkarsh Aggarwal, Subject Matter Expert and DevOps Trainer. Together, they provided an industry-centric overview of modern software engineering practices, illustrating how artificial intelligence is transforming contemporary DevOps workflows. Dr. Tyagi opened the talk by introducing core concepts of process automation, predictive analysis, and system optimization, emphasizing the essential technical competencies required to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving software landscape. Building upon these foundations, Mr. Utkarsh Aggarwal expanded on real-world DevOps applications and modern engineering paradigms. The session offered engineering freshers valuable early exposure to cutting-edge technology trends and practical industry insights.

Informative Session: National Service Scheme (NSS)

The programme continued with an informative session on the National Service Scheme (NSS), presented by Dr. Neelu Chaudhary. The session introduced students to the core objectives, community outreach projects, and social impact initiatives driven by the university's NSS chapter. Dr. Chaudhary highlighted the benefits of joining NSS, including personality development through community service, empathy building, and active civic participation. Students were motivated to contribute to society while developing leadership and social responsibility skills throughout their university tenure.

A melodious singing performance by a student added a delightful musical touch to the Freshers’ Induction Programme, providing a refreshing break between the sessions.

Mental Well-being Session: “Excitement, Anxiety and Everything in Between”

The final session of the morning was a dedicated mental health segment titled “Excitement, Anxiety and Everything in Between: Mental Well-being Session”, conducted by Ms. Prerna Rathi, Student Counsellor from the Office of the Dean Student Welfare. Recognizing the transition to university life as both exciting and overwhelming, the session addressed common psychological challenges such as campus transition stress, peer pressure, and performance anxiety. Ms. Prerna Rathi shared practical coping mechanisms, emotional regulation techniques, and introduced the wellness support systems available on campus. The session reinforced the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between mental health, emotional resilience, and academic pursuits.

Creative Group Activity: “The Mock Pitch Tank”

Following the lunch break, students gathered in their respective classrooms to participate in "The Mock Pitch Tank". This interactive group activity challenged students to work collaboratively to conceptualize ideas and pitch them effectively within their assigned teams. The activity encouraged creative problem-solving, persuasive communication, spontaneous thinking, and teamwork. It served as an engaging, experiential platform for freshers to build camaraderie with their classmates and overcome stage fright in a supportive environment.

Completing Academic Documentation

The final segment of the day was dedicated to completing student academic documentation. Students were guided to submit pending academic documents, verify credentials, and fulfill administrative enrollment formalities. This systematic verification process ensured that administrative requirements were completed smoothly, allowing students to transition seamlessly into their academic terms.

Key Outcomes of Day 3

Day 4 of Aarambhika 2026 successfully provided students with:

• Insights into personal skill development, scaling up capabilities, and personal branding.
• Technical exposure to AI-driven DevOps and current industry technology trends.
• Awareness of social responsibility, community outreach, and volunteer opportunities through NSS.
• Guidance and coping strategies for managing mental well-being, transition stress, and emotional balance.
• Experiential opportunities to practice teamwork, innovation, and pitching skills through "The Mock Pitch Tank".
• Hands-on assistance in completing mandatory academic and administrative documentation.