Research, Consultancy and Extension
SSTM has two departments engaged in research – MBA and M.Sc (Biotechnology). MBA focuses on social research and has an off-campus research centre approved by the Mahatma Gandhi University. M.Sc (Biotechnology) focuses on product and process research in biotechnology. This department is recognized as SIRO under Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), New Delhi.
M.Sc (Biotechnology) has a research advisory committee to evaluate the research activities. To facilitate smooth progress and implementation of research projects, the institution has provided autonomy to the principal investigator to plan, design, and executes research projects. The resources- financial, manpower, technical – are released so that the smooth execution of the project is facilitated. The institution provides adequate infrastructure in the form of labs, library, computer centre with advanced software like SPSS and reprographic facility. The time table and work schedule are adjusted for the faculty members engaged in research. The finance department of the institution undertakes the timely auditing of the research fund at the end of every financial year. The principal investigator will forward the audited statement and the report of the research work done to the funding agency. Students are introduced to the research process through the course research methodology with a social-science research project. Students are enthused to prepare scientific papers to present in seminars and conferences. Faculty are involved in research projects funded by agencies such as Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR), Global Works International, Cochin Corporation, Coconut Development Board, Department of Science and Technology, etc. Among the products that reached the masses from the lab is Coconut Neera. Faculty also guides student projects every year.
The institution has conducted an international conference in Aging Well – Managerial and Social Challenges, conferences in the areas of finance, marketing, HR and information systems, a National workshop on Molecular Genomics, and an international conference on Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering. During these occasions researchers of eminence visited the campus and interacted with the students and teachers.
Apart from the external funded projects all the in-house projects are funded by the institute in its own way. The institution encourages interdisciplinary research. To optimally utilize all the facilities, the institution makes available all the facilities to all faculty interested in research. The institution has received grants from Department of Science and Technology, Coconut Development Board to develop research facility.
Along with the well equipped labs, libraries and equipments, the students are encouraged to make contribution to various research projects. The institution provides training for students from outside institutes and also provides for a customer service facility for outside research scholars for utilizing the equipment facility of the institute.
Among the achievements of the faculty and students, the project on Microfinance, Gender and Poverty highlighted the usage of funds at the micro level. The Biotechnology department has acquired patents for its products and processes. Notable among their achievements is the development of Biodiesel from coconut oil. The institution publishes a journal titled SCMS Journal of Indian Management. The faculty have published in national and international journals, and published books to their credit.
The faculty has received awards for their commendable work. A notable one being Dr. Radha Thevannoor, Principal, SSTM was awarded the title of Research Fellow of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She has also been awarded the Pfizer prize for Aging, Japan. Many faculty members have got recognition from reputed professional bodies and agencies.
The institution promotes student engagement in the institution neighbourhood-community network by social service day, SCMS social initiative ‘Parivarthana’, Emerging Kerala Biennial Global Connect, etc. The involvement of students in various social activities is built into the institutional curriculum. The students are required to take up assignments of social relevance and also related to their subject of study. At the end of the study, they submit a report on the activities taken up by them and make a presentation in front of a panel of experts.
The institute promotes collaboration with Institutes such as Department of Science and Technology (DST) for extending research facilities. Several MOUs were signed in this regard. Many students have been placed with the collaborating institutions for their final project.