Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 18: Interactive sessions on the topic 'Higher education and Scientific research in Germany: Perspectives and Opportunities', by Dr Harish Parala, laboratory manager for MOCVD/ALD labs and Materials Characterization Labs and on 'Molecular Chemistry Towards Materials Development' by Dr Anjana Devi, professor, Inorganic Materials Research Group, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany were organized on October 16 at LF Rasquinha Auditorium, St Aloysius College, here.
The talks were organized by 'Alchemy', the subject association of the department of Postgraduate studies and Research in of Chemistry.
Dr Ronald Nazareth, head of the department of PG Chemistry, Preema Cealla Pais, president of ALCHEMY Association, Apoorva S and Premie Fernandes, secretaries of ALCHEMY Association were present on the dais.
Dr Harish Parala during his address on 'Higher Education and Pursuing Research in Germany: Perspectives and Opportunities' elaborated on the education system in Germany and stressed that education is something which they do not compromise on and added that students are more independent in Germany. He gave in-depth information
on the course named Duetscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD), German Academic exchange service - German national agency for international academic cooperation exchange and independent association of universities that provides scholarships and grants along with information and counselling about studying and research in
Germany which has 70 regional offices and information centers worldwide.
He explained about their degree structure which consists of Bachelors, Master and PhD. He mentioned that there are more than 2,50,000 international students in Germany with high academic standard. He also spoke about the type of higher education systems in Germany such as research universities, universities of applied science and
outstanding research institutions. The various procedures to be followed to study abroad, information on scholarship provided for funding to study abroad, internship, or senior thesis research were some other topics he spoke on.
During his talk he gave numerous tips for students to succeed in life and urged them to explore the opportunities to study abroad. He also gave a call for the students to do some sort of quality project during the Master course in their fields of interest, that could help them get a position for PhD in Germany and other European nations.
Dr Anjana Devi addressed the gathering on 'Molecular Chemistry Towards Materials Development”. During her introductory remark she explained the road to establish oneself as a researcher with the opportunities and barriers during career path. She explained her journey as a researcher reaching the highest position in the university from her humble background of interdisciplinary science which she learnt in material chemistry. She encouraged the students to enter into the research institutes like IISc which shaped her research career and made her competent to face the research world of changing times.
Due to her quality post-doctoral research in Rupreschtkarls – Universitat, Heidelberg, Germany, she got an opportunity to meet the president Alexander Von Humbolt Foundation. She also explained her funding paths that enabled her academic career with the habilitation fellowship awarded by Alfried Krupp Von Bohlen and Halbach Foundation in 2020 for the research topic, atomic scale engineering of nanostructured functional material; chemical approached to tackle challenges in material development as well as her challenges as woman researcher especially during the appointment as junior researcher at RUB and stressed the need of optimization of passion and opportunities.
On explaining the current research activities she gave an insight on precursor chemistry and atomic layer deposition on functional materials. Her talk focused on her current research in the field of thin films and the special modifications made in the field of material research using rare earth metals especially chemical vapor deposition of Gallium Nitride and the accomplishments in the field of molecular chemistry. She introduced her research group at Ruhr University and highlighted the current areas of research in her lab.
Dr Richard Gonsalves, director of LCRI block welcomed the gathering and introduced the resource persons. Tanvi compered the programme and Elcita proposed the vote of thanks.