Srinagar, Feb 17: The 2nd edition of 5-day Short-Term Course (STC) on Semiconductors began at PG Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar in a virtual mode.
The theme of the course is “Journey of Semiconductor Physics to Smart Devices to Intelligent Automation,” which coincides with the syllabi module of both UG and PG programs.
The opening session of STC was presided over by Chief Guest Director NIT Srinagar Prof. (Dr.) Rakesh Sehgal, while HoD Physics Prof M A Shah is the chairperson of the five-day-long scientific event.
The inaugural lecture “Two-Dimensional Semiconductor Materials: Graphene and Beyond” was delivered by Prof Farhan Rana from Cornell University, USA. The talk was informative, and inspiring and was appreciated by the participants including the faculty.
He highlighted the importance of two-dimensional materials like Graphene which have multiple applications in our day-to-day life.
“There is a race among scientists to develop new products using two-dimensional materials,” Prof. Farhan said.
On the occasion, Prof. Sehgal appreciated the efforts of the Physics Department for organizing 5 days STC on an emerging and relevant area.
He welcomed the participants and acknowledged the sincere efforts of the HoD Physics for taking such new and innovative initiatives.
In his speech, Prof. Sehgal laid emphasis on the role of semiconductors in our day-to-day lives. He mentioned that India has a huge youth population that needs to be self-independent in semiconductor technology.
He said technological institutions have a big responsibility to make the life of people around them easy, cost-effective, and more beneficial.
Prof. Sehgal said only a few IITs are working in this area and the need of the hour is to establish state of art labs across India. He also lauded the role of Prof Shah in organizing many scientific events on campus.
“The 5-day STC will be beneficial for the participants and definitely, they will learn from each other’s experience,” he said.
In his message, Institute’s Registrar Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari said over the past few years, there have been significant research efforts devoted to improving efficiencies of semiconductor materials.
“In recent years this technology has shown great potential as a low-cost, environment- friendly and sustainable technology and has become a hot research topic,” he said.
“The present STC aims to address the various aspects of the growing technology including working principles of semi-conductors, latest advances in the field, and the future of semiconductor devices,” Prof. Bukhari said.
In his inaugural speech, Prof Shah talked about the objectives of organizing such events in emerging areas.
“As Semiconductor modules are in syllabi of both UG and PG programs and as there was a need for such a course wherein eminent speakers from prestigious institutions will address and update participants during the course,” he said.
Dr. Shah further said that Semiconductors have revolutionized the way we live, we walk, we communicate, we harness energy, and the way we heal illness.
A vote of thanks for the inaugural session was presented by Prof. Seemin Rubab, who on behalf of NIT Srinagar, expressed gratitude to Prof Rana and other participants and acknowledged the valuable time of the speaker.
On the second day, HoD Physics Prof M A shah addressed the participants and delivered a talk on “Life without Semiconductors” The talk was highly motivating, inspiring, and above all beneficial to all our participants.
