The Department of Chemical Engineering at Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal, organized a Guest Lecture and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony titled “Golden Drops: The Story Behind Edible Oils” on 27 March 2026 from 02:00 PM to 03:00 PM at Cute Hall. The program was strategically designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial practices by providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the edible oil sector, which is a significant segment of the chemical process industry. It served as an effective platform to integrate theoretical concepts with real-time industrial applications, thereby enhancing students’ technical competence, analytical skills, and employability. The event commenced with a Welcome Address delivered by Karthick. P, a III-year Chemical Engineering student, who outlined the purpose and significance of the program and emphasized the importance of industry exposure for aspiring engineers. This was followed by the Introduction of Chief Guests by Nithiya M K, a III-year Chemical Engineering student, who presented the professional profiles and achievements of the invited industry experts, setting the context for the technical session.
The guest lecture provided a comprehensive overview of edible oil production processes. It included detailed discussions on raw material selection based on oil yield, composition, and economic feasibility. Extraction techniques such as mechanical pressing and solvent extraction were explained with focus on efficiency, recovery, and operational parameters. Furthermore, refining processes including degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization were elaborated to demonstrate their role in improving oil quality, stability, and shelf life. Emphasis was also placed on quality control through physicochemical analysis, impurity removal, and adherence to food safety standards. The speakers highlighted industrial best practices, safety measures in processing plants, and sustainable approaches such as energy conservation and waste minimization.
The session was delivered by D. Muthamil Selvan and T. Vinothkumar from Kumaran Speciality Private Limited. They shared valuable insights into real-time industrial challenges, process optimization strategies, and large-scale plant operations, enabling students to understand practical aspects of chemical engineering applications.
A key highlight of the program was the formal signing of the MoU between the institution and Kumaran Speciality Private Limited. This collaboration aims to strengthen industry–institute interaction by facilitating internships, industrial training, collaborative research, and knowledge exchange initiatives. Such efforts are expected to significantly enhance students’ industry readiness and align their academic learning with current industrial requirements.
During the event, Dr. K. K. Ramasamy addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of strong industry partnerships in technical education. He highlighted that the company has an annual turnover of approximately ₹120 cores, reflecting its robust industrial presence and steady growth. The event was conducted under the guidance of Dr. M. Premkumar.
The program concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Kavin Raj N S, a II-year Chemical Engineering student, who expressed gratitude to the management, speakers, faculty, and participants for making the event successful. Overall, the program significantly enriched students’ technical knowledge, strengthened their practical understanding, and motivated them to pursue innovative and sustainable solutions in the field of chemical Engineering.
