Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 10: The departments of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies in Chemistry, St Aloysius College (autonomous), here organized a two-day international Conference on 'Nanotechnology - 2019: Opportunities and challenges' on January 10 and 11 at the L F Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block.
Prof Karanam Uma Maheshwar Rao, director, National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal was the chief guest. Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, rector of St Aloysius Educational Institutions presided over the programme. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, principal, St Aloysius College (autonomous) released the book of abstracts.
Prof Zineb Mekhalif, director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Surfaces (CES), University of Namur, Belgium delivered the keynote address.
Chief guest, Prof Karanam Uma Maheshwar Rao- director, NITK, Surathkal in the inaugural address highlighted the recent advances in the field of Nanoscience exemplified by the importance of gold and uranium in the field of mining. He posed the challenges of Nanoscience saying that it would be the end of the world if Nano robots take over humans, if the field was misused and gave a call to carefully exploit and utilize the benefits of Nanotechnology as this field provides immense scope for improvement.
Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ in his presidential remarks said that the departments of Chemistry have been instrumental in organizing innovative programmes throughout the year of which this international conference was another innovative achievement and highlighted the usefulness of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for the betterment of society.
Addressing the gathering, Principal Dr Praveen Martis SJ said that there is uniqueness in the field of Nanoscience. The field is highly exploited and is still rapidly growing in terms of several challenges that are providing enormous opportunities to scientists. He quoted the contributions of Michael Faraday and Richard Feymann in this field and highlighted the innovations of nanotextiles, nanoflaments etc.
Dr Richard Gonsalves- director of LCRI block welcomed the gathering, Dr Ronald Nazareth- convener introduced the chief guest, Prof Rajgopal Bhat– head department of UG Chemistry graced the occasion, Preema Cealla Pais, the organizing secretary proposed the vote of thanks, Prajna from MSc Chemistry compered the programme and Prof Zineb Mekhalif- delivered the keynote address.
Besides this, Dr Simon Detriche, Arvind K Bhakta, Sebastien Vivegnis from University of Namur, Belgium, Dr Arun Isloor, NITK Surathkal, Danica Pinto- University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Prof Eshwarmoorthy- JNCASR, Prof Suresha SJ- technology manager, MNCF, CeNSE, IISc, Bengaluru, Dr Navinchandra G Shimpi- University of Mumbai, Dr
Belkhiri Samir- Algeria, Dr Halley Menezes- Japan will deliver the lectures during these two days.
The valedictory programme will be held on January 11 at 3.15 pm at Fr L F Rasquinha Auditorium (LCRI). Prof Zineb Mekhalif will be the chief guest for the valedictory programme. Dr Leo D’Souza SJ, director- Laboratory of Applied Biology, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru will preside over the programme.