23rd Punjab Science Congress

Dr.SS Verma, Dept. of Physics, SLIET, Longowal (Punjab)

2020-03-02 13:21:14

Credit: Punjab Science Congress

Credit: Punjab Science Congress

The 23rd Punjab Science Congress under the aegis of Punjab Academy of Sciences (PAS) and annual activity was held at SLIET Longowal, Distt.-Sangrur (Punjab) from February 7-9, 2020 under the guidance of Dr. Dr. SHAILENDRA KUMAR JAIN (Director SLIET) by the organizing team comprising Dr. B.K.Kanungo (Technical Chair), Dr. AS Dhaliwal (Chairman), Dr. Harish Chopra (Co-chairman), Dr. SS Verma and Dr. Panesar as Organizing Secretaries.

The theme of the Congress Emerging Trends in Science and Technology for sustainable development”. focuses on generating scientific innovations, processes, technologies and understanding towards sustainable development for giving due representation to the need of science and technology for the sustainable development as well as to give full representation to various flagship programmes of Government of India like Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Space programmes, Global warming, Water Conservation and Fit India movement etc. for their popularization and successful implementation. Linkages among various scientific organizations need to be strengthened to address all such issues in a given time frame.

This was the third time that Punjab Science Congress was organized by SLIET, Longowal (earlier were held in 2002 & 2011). A special feature of Punjab Science Congress for school children, Punjab Children Science Congress was also organized along with on 8th February 2020.

The Punjab Science Congress gave representation to all basic and emerging fields of science and technology covered in following five sections:

Section-A: Agriculture, Biosciences and Biotechnology etc.

Section-B: Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics, Sugar Technology, Pharmacy, Food Technology and Textile Technology

Section-C: Chemical, Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Section-D: Engineering Sciences

Section-E: Medical and Veterinary Sciences

 The congress was inaugurated by Padam Sri Prof. RC Sobti a great educationist, excellent research and able administrator who has been vice-chancellor to Panjab University Chandigarh and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU).  Key note address was delivered by a renowned scientist/engineer Dr. Santokh Singh Bhadesha, CEO Xerox (USA) who has about 300 US patents to his credit. Congress was enriched by the presence of very distinguished speakers in its plenary sessions as well as lead speakers in Technical Sessions.

During the inaugural and valedictory sessions Punjab Academy of Sciences (PAS) bestowed various awards, honorary fellows and life achievement on scientists/engineers with significant achievements in their fields. Young Scientist Awards were also given in all five sections to young scientists in recognition to their pursuit and excellence in research. A special award was also given to person who presented his/her research in Punjabi.  Best poster awards were also given in all five sections of the congress.

 More than 300 research abstracts covering all five (A,B,C,D,E) sections have been received from researchers and academicians working in leading universities/institutions of the state as well as of the country. About 200 delegates from different educational organizations registered in the Congress for participation. In three technical sessions, about 43 research presentations were in oral, about 96 papers were presented in the form of two poster sessions and about 37 young researchers presented their research for Young Scientist Awards.

Punjab Children Science Congress as an integral part of Punjab Science Congress was also being held parallel on 08-02-2020 under the Chairmanship of Prof. MM Sinha, Converner of Science Club and his team.  In spite of board examination time in schools, more than 150 students of VIII to XI the standard from about 35 schools of different regions of Punjab participated in different activities like Model (working & non-working), debate, quiz and poster etc. Students/teams with best models and standing first in quizzes and debates were awarded cash prizes and merit certificates where as all other students were given participating certificates along with free lodging and boarding by SLIET Longowal.

Hope that such activities will not only motivate the young researchers but also students towards taking their career in science and technology and also make them aware of latest social programmes and their responsibilities towards a sustainable future.