SOCIETY FOR CHEMICAL EDUCATION

Golden Jubilee of Chemistry Dept. 2005

SEMINARS AND WORSHOPS

The Society  organizes national and regional seminars independently or in collaboration with one of the colleges, university department and other organizations.  The following seminars have been organized:

1.The seminar on futurology on regional development and planning at Biswanath College, Dist Sonitpur, Assam in collaboration with the Biswanath Chariali branch of Assam Science Society (1991).

2.  Chemical Industries-  potentialities  for  development   in   Assam  in  collaboration    with  industries, Assam Industrial Development Corporation, Small Industries Development Corporation, IDBI, IFCCI and other   organizations of the Central and State Governments(1993). Venue- Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Assam,India.

3.National seminar on Medicinal plants-chemistry and uses (Sponsored by the University Grants Commission) in collaboration with department of Chemistry, Gauhati University (!996).

4.National seminar cum workshop on RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NORTH EAST WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BIO ENERGY TECHNOLOGY. Organized by Society for Chemical Education, Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Solar Energy Society of India (North East Chapter) and Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources, Govt. of India. Sponsored by University Grants Commission and  cosponsored by Indian Renewable Energy Development Association, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council, Oil India Limited and Tata BP Solar India, Bangalore (1999).

Proceedings and recommendations of the seminars are also published as Renewable Energy Today

MICROSCALE LABORATORY AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS:

A training program on Micro Scale Laboratory for the college teachers of chemistry was held on 3 January, 2000 in the department of chemistry, Gauhati University . Professor Mono Mohan Singh, Director of Micro Scale Laboratory, Merrimack college, Andover, U.S.A. was the resource person for the program. The society will initiate introduction  of micro scale laboratories in the colleges of Assam.

Subsequently a WORKSHOP on MICROSCALE LABORATORY was organized by the Society sponsored by UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION  and TEZPUR UNIVERSITY held at Darrang College, Tezpur and Computer Centre of Tezpur University. In this workshop 40 teachers from the colleges of North Eastern Region including one research scholar of Japan was trained  introduction of microscale laboratory in the colleges. Moreover all the participants are allowed to use computers as teaching aids for chemistry.

Dr.R.K.Brua Memorial Lecture:

Late Dr.Rohini Kanta Barua, head of the department of chemistry from 1960 to 1968 took the leadership role in shaping the department  for innovation and research during his short span in the department. His untimely death in July 1968 caused great setback in the department. But his junior colleagues and recruited junior teachers of the department continued with his efforts to make the department a dynamic one in India. In order to keep his contributions alive and to motivate the younger generations the Society has started Dr.R.K.Barua memorial lecture from 1998. So far seven lectures were organized where eminent scientists from India participated in the specialized lecture in the field of chemistry and biochemistry till 2004.  

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Current Trends in Chemical Research

The department of chemistry, Gauhati University organized a symposium on Current Trends in Chemical Research on  27 and 28 February, 2004 at the gallery of the department. The department will celebrate its Golden Jubilee in 2005. This symposium was a pre Golden Jubilee one. Chemistry has played a pivotal role in spheres of human life and civilization from earliest times. The present symposia though highlighted the current trends it has emphasized the relevance of ancient chemical innovations in India. Metallurgy reached its zenith in Kautilya’s time as revealed in Arthashastra. Chemistry in ancient India is well documented by Sri Prafulla Chandra Roy in History of Chemistry in Ancient India.. Sarak and Susruta’su outstanding contributions on ayurvedic sytem of treatment with herbs and plants and surgery is pointers to treatment and cure in Vedic period. Without recall of these developments leading to innovations in chemistry, current trends bear no significance.

The key note address was delivered by Dr. P.G.Rao, Director, Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat. He referred to achievements of chemists in twentieth century where chemists and chemical engineers along with biologists, electrical engineers, physicists and other professionals  have brought to market commercially viable replacement organs, computer chips not carved in silicon, therapeutics tailor made for individuals generic make up and materials which  interact with living tissue.  Twenty first century challenges for chemists are manifold. Conquering disease, cleaning environment, solving energy problems for sustainable development will have to be brought to the notice of common man by innovations. Medicinal chemistry on areas such as drug discovery and delivery will contribute to longevity and human health. Techniques like bioinformatics, chemiimformatics, nanochemistry, combinatorial chemistry  etc will be thrust areas for outstanding research and development of technology for commercial applications  affordable to all.

Besides the keynote address 6 invited lectures on antituberculostatic drug,, versatile chemistry with bile acids, effects of alcohol on partition equilibrium of phenols and micellar solutions etc are presented. There were 15 oral presentations and 45 posters highlighting several areas of research activities of chemists and biotechnologists in collaborative efforts. Dr. Anil Ch. Ghosh, former director of Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat and presently at Chemogen Pharma International at Kolkata focussed on New Drug Discovery- Changing Scenario. Drug research has become prohibitive to Indian scientists. But there is possibility of investigeting on medicinal plants for systematic classification, identification and clinical trials of active components of plant parts and herbs. Even the teachers in the colleges in chemistry and biology  can start earnestly research activities in medicinal plants in the colleges using facilities created in Assam.

Research level of the topics, presentation of papers besides invited lectures were of high standard including thrust areas. This symposia  have   many areas which will have  to be included in revision of the postgraduate syllabi in chemistry in future to generate chemical capital from this region to compete globally. Participation on all invited lectures and presentation of papers were more than anticipated. The lecture gallery was full on all sessions. This is a sign of trying to realise that chemistry in future will not be taught as done in traditional class room environment. Organizers have succeeded in planning  the symposia very  effectively  and need appreciation.