Srinagar, May 25: The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKAUST), Shalimar Srinagar, witnessed a grand inauguration of the 8th International Nanotechnology Conference, themed as “Nanotechnology for Better Living” (NBL-2023), here on Thursday.
Organized by the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, and various universities including Parul University, the University of Kashmir, and SKUAST-K, the event aims to promote advancements in nanotechnology for the betterment of society.
The conference received immense support from the organizations such as the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, Ministry of Education, Government of India, local philanthropists, school associations, and the J&K Bank Ltd.
This year’s conference marks a significant milestone as it is the first time NBL has been organized in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad. Previously, the first four editions were held in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, while the subsequent four editions joined hands with other prestigious IITs across the country, including the renowned IIT Kharagpur.
Distinguished national and international academicians and experts graced the event with their presence.
Notable attendees included Prof B S Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, Prof D D Sarma from IISC Bangalore, Prof Amit Ganatra, Vice Chancellor of Parul University, Prof Sandeep Chaterjee from IIT BHU, and Prof Ravinder Nath, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir. Their valuable insights and expertise promise to enrich the conference proceedings.
The event garnered widespread interest, attracting students from both government and private educational institutions across the valley. Professors and lecturers from various schools were also invited to partake in this enlightening gathering, fostering a spirit of learning and collaboration.
During his address to the audience, Prof Sudhakar Yedla, Director of NIT Srinagar, emphasized the significance of conferences like NBL-2023 in prioritizing societal benefits above all else.
Prof Yedla, who recently assumed his role at NIT Srinagar, expressed his belief in the potential of the youth of Kashmir, highlighting the need to provide them with opportunities to interact with the best minds in the field of science and technology.
Prof M A Shah, Head of the Physics Department at NIT Srinagar, delivered a warm welcome address, expressing his delight at the overwhelming response to the conference. He expressed his satisfaction that NBL-2023 had become a pan-India event, allowing participation from all states across the country.
The event commenced with a special virtual address by Zulkifli Abdul Razak, Vice President and Head of Property & Administration at Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad, who enlightened the audience on the sustainable goals defined by the United Nations.
His insightful talk set the tone for the conference, emphasizing the importance of integrating nanotechnology into sustainable development practices.
A major highlight of the conference was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NIT Srinagar and IIT Hyderabad.
Under this agreement, NIT students in their final years of study will have a rare opportunity to benefit from the rich facilities at the IIT Hyderabad.
Prof Murty, expressing his appreciation for the collaboration, highlighted the significance of sharing facilities among students whose research work may face challenges due to various reasons.
“Instead of duplicating resources, it is a wise decision to provide students with the opportunity to share facilities,” he said. “This ensures that their research work can progress unhindered, leading to greater advancements in the field of nanotechnology.”
He also extended IIT Hyderabad’s collaboration for the next edition of the nanotechnology event, promising further advancements.
