National Physicists Conclave gets a big start at SRM
Scientists need to work together to make an impact on science research and output: President of Indian Academy of Sciences
Chennai, February 7:
Scientists need to work together to make an impact on science research and output, said Prof Umesh V Waghmare, President of Indian Academy of Sciences.
He was speaking at the inauguration of National Physicsts Conclave 2024 (NPC 2024) at T P Ganesan Auditorium on SRMIST premises at Kattankulathur near Chennai on 7 February. The conclave would go on till 10 February.
The three day event is being organized by Department of Physics and Nanotechnology of SRMIST.
Prof Umesh said events like NPC 2024 are an ideal platform to foster collaboration between scientists working in different realms of science.
It is a welcome to know that science has been receiving a big boost in India. More needs to be done to ensure this witnesses an upward move.
The eminent scientist further said that private institutions have a great role to play in providing a boost to science and research.
Vice Chancellor of SRMIST Prof C Muthamizhchelvan said the institution had begun its innings in a humble manner as an engineering college in 1985.
It has witnessed a steady growth since then and has currently emerged as a multi-disciplinary institution that offers academic programs in various disciplines, said SRMIST Vice Chancellor.
Institution has obtained deemed university status in 2002. Lot of emphasis is being provided for research in science and technology at the institution, he said.
Publishing quality research papers is always the focus at SRMIST. This has resulted in obtaining good position in Nature Index ratings.
The institution stands at 751st place on a global level and at 25th position in India in as per Nature Index ratings, he said.
Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship has been a priority at SRMIST, said Prof Muthamizhchelvan. Two of the startups at SRMIST have graduated while one of them has managed to gain an investment of Rs 200 crore, the other has managed to bag an order for manufacturing about 50 unmanned ground vehicles for Indian Army, he said.
Dr. Kiran Mangalampalli, Convenor, NPC 2024 said this conclave is not merely a congregation, it’s a celebration of the relentless pursuit of knowledge, the spirit of inquiry that drives each one of us, and the collective effort to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
Over the next few days, the event would
delve into cutting-edge research, engage in enlightening discussions, and forge
connections that have the potential to shape the future of physics.
Awards will also be presented to scientists in recognition of their achievements. The awards to be presented during the conclave are Young Computational Physicist Award, Young Applied Physicist Award, Young Woman Physicist Award, Young Physicist Award, Best Thesis Award and Best Publication of the Year 2023 Award.
The names of the few winners were announced during the inauguration. Among those to get the awards are Dr Vibhor Singh of IISc (Young Physicist Award), Dr Vidya Kochat of IIT Kharagpur (Young Woman Physicist Award).
Dr. Chandan Kumar Ghosh of Jadavpur University (Young Applied Physicist Award), Prof Amrita Bhattacharya of IIT Bombay (Young Computational Physicist Award) and Dr Niladri Modak of IISER Kolkata (Best Thesis Award) are also among the winners announced during the inauguration.
Prof P Malar, Co Convenor of NPC 2024 proposed vote of thanks. Prof D Narayana Rao, Executive Director (Research), SRMIST was among those present.
