Jadavpur University Alumni Association Hyderabad Chapter

Symposium - Science Magazine old Editions

From the Desk of President

I am pleased to welcome all the young minds of the twin cities of Hyderabad to our 12th Annual Science Symposium being held at IICT, Hyderabad. The Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad has been taking up varieties of programmes and projects since its inception in Hyderabad. The University, Alumni Association has many of its members who are well established in their respective fields of Science and Technology. We felt that the University Alumni Association should take up projects and programs in the fields of science and Technology and thereby use our existing human resource for the benefits of our members and society in general.

The present initiative of holding a symposium at IICT auditorium on Popular Science is a result of our resolve to launch a program in the field of science. This year we are organising our 12th symposium on 31st August, 2024 at IICT auditorium, Hyderabad. High school students of 8th to 12th standard attend the symposium where we create an interactive forum and platform in the hope of spreading awareness and popularising science. This year we have added a new dimension to the Science Symposium where we encouraged the students to submit scientific articles which have been scrutinized by the experts within our association. We have received good response and I am happy to mention that three articles have been selected this year. We hope to take this new step further in the coming years.

I am overwhelmed by the response we have got from speakers and the students alike. I am thankful to all the members of the science symposium committee who have made this possible. We are profusely thankful to the Director, IICT who has given permission to organise the programme in IICT auditorium, Hyderabad. I would like to thank the well wishers for their support to organise the symposium.

My best wishes for the success of the Symposium.

Aniruddha Sengupta,

President, JUAAH

From the Desk of Convenor

It gives me immense pleasure to organise the 12th symposium on Popular Science on 31st August, 2024 at CSIR IICT Auditorium, Hyderabad. Our association has taken a humble approach to create an opportunity for the school students to listen and interact with masters in their respective fields directly through this symposium.

The speakers of this year have been consciously selected. The first speaker is Dr. Prashant Garg, an ophthalmologist and specialised in Cornea infection diseases. Presently he holds the position of Executive Chair LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad. He is the current incumbent of the Dr. Paul Dubord distinguished chair of Cornea. He is an internationally renowned leader in corneal infections. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, both national and international, he is on the Boards of several international organizations, societies and scientific journals.

The second speaker Professor Sayam Sen Gupta of Department of Chemical Sciences at IISER, Kolkata is the awardee of the prestigious “National Teachers Award” received from Hon’ble President of India. He has held several positions nationally and internationally including the prestigious Alexander Von Humboldt fellow.

I am sure that the all the participants will get benefitted, and also motivated in pursuing their studies and research in science and technology to make our beloved nation more developed in economy as well as in science & technology. The symposium includes talks by eminent speakers; poster competition, mobile science lab for a hands-on learning experience and Quiz competition.

Starting this 12th edition of our symposium, we are happy to introduce a new event called 'Live Project' to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship among students. After our 2023 symposium, we invited students to pitch in with their innovative ideas focused on application of science in solving real-world problems. Two of these ideas were shortlisted by a distinguished panel and we are providing seed funding to help them build a working prototype that they can showcase during the symposium. We are excited to announce that students from Unicent, Nagole and Kallam Anji Reddy Vidyalaya Miyapur will showcase their models 'Adapta Bench' and 'Eco Bricks' respectively during this symposium. This will be the culmination of their hard work and dedication through the last few months in exploring and creating impactful scientific models.

I would like to thank all the executive, advisory and science sub-committee members and well-wishers for their support to organize this symposium.

Dr. Chanchal Sarbajna,

Convenor & Vice President, JUAAH

From the Desk of Co-Convenor

In terms of gaining, immediate societal benefit, highly focused but incremental, certain scientific idea convincingly proves its utility and is implemented faster by the society for its betterment. The idea need not be a rocket science but if the idea solves a burning crisis that too for certain marginalized population, there can’t be a better utilization of science for common people. This is true for our country with 1.5 billion people and nooks and corner of which has multiple unique, burning crisis which need not be a crisis for other regions or people.

Keeping this in mind, Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad (JUAAH) which is organizing 12th Science Symposium in collaboration with CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad under CSIR’s JIGYASA program on 31st August 2024 in IICT Auditorium called for a newly inducted Essay Competition ‘Science & Technology for a better future’ from the students of participating Schools. We the organizers gave the very general and vague-looking topic and silently expected students to give ideas, need not be novel but should be concertedly innovative and focused, to solve a specific problem. We gladly received the overwhelming response from many school students who gave wonderful ideas, and find tough time to choose the winners.

We look forward to students’ active participation and hope they will have fun while learning new ideas during the symposium.
With warm wishes and regards.

Dr. Rajkumar Banerjee,

Co-Convenor, JUAAH

From the Desk of President

Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad is a distinguished body, which has been taking up varieties of programmes and projects since its inception in Hyderabad. The University, Alumni Association has been very conscious that it’s the fact that many of its members are very well established in their respective fields of Science and Technology. We felt that the University Alumni Association should take up projects and programs in the fields of science and Technology and thereby use our existing human resource for the benefits of our members and society in general.

The present initiative of holding a seminar at IICT auditorium on popular science is a result of our resolve to launch a program in the field of science. Due to COVID Pandemic we could not organize the same from 2020 to 2022. This year we are organizing our 11th seminar on 1st July, 2023 at IICT auditorium, Hyderabad. We particularly felt that we should target the school children of the upper classes, who can be benefitted to discussions on popular science in a single day seminar.

I am overwhelmed by the response we have got from speakers and the students alike. I am thankful to all the members of the science symposium committee who have made this possible. We are profusely thankful to the Director, IICT who has given permission to organize the programme in IICT auditorium.

My best wishes for the success of the seminar.

Aniruddha Sengupta,

President, JUAAH

From the Desk of Convenor

The Science symposium for school students of the twin cities is organized by Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad Chapter is an annual event. However, due to global pandemic we could not organize the same since 2020. It gives me immense pleasure to organise the 11th seminar on Popular Science on 1st July 2023 at CSIR IICT auditorium, Hyderabad -500007. JU Alumni Association Hyderabad chapter has taken a humble approach to create an opportunity for the school students to listen and interact with masters in their respective fields directly through this seminar.

The theme of this year seminar is rightly chosen as “Life after Pandemic-science & Psychology”. The speakers of this year have been consciously selected, keeping the theme in mind. The first speaker Dr. Souvik Maiti, the prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar awardee, Director, CSIR-IIGB Institute, New Delhi will deliver his talk to the young school children of twin cities about his phenomenal innovation on rapid RTPCR testing kit (FELUDA) at affordable price to save human life from Covid. The test kit has been named after the Oscar awardee film Director, Late Satyajit Ray’s detective character FELUDA.

As we all are aware that we have lost lots of life during Covid Pandemic and the entire world was in isolation for more than two years, which has impacted the mental health of across the age groups of global population. Major chunk who were worst affected are the students as they were denied to interact with their friends in the society and in the school as well and at the same time they had to adjust to the new style of virtual learning. The second speaker Sri Sandipan Purkayasth, the professional brain based coach will deliver to the students in his speech on how to overcome post pandemic stress and to face future challenges to the students.

I am sure that the participants will get benefitted, and also motivated in pursuing their studies and research in science and technology to make our beloved nation more developed in economy, self sufficient in science and technology. Special thanks to Dr. Rajkumar Banerjee, Dr. Bedadyuti Chakraborty, Dr. Ruchira Sarbajna, Dr. Debopam Chakraborty and Sri Abhi Majumdar for their active role to organize the seminar.

Dr. Chanchal Sarbajna,

Convenor & Vice President, JUAAH

From the Desk of President

It is time for another "Science Symposium" to be conducted by Jadavpur University Alumni Association, Hyderabad chapter. It is a matter of deep satisfaction& pride for us that we are able to hold this annual event every year despite limited resources that our association has.

We expect a good participation by schools of the twin cities this year as well. Eminent speakers will, for sure, be able to keep the audience spellbound and fill the mind of the students with inquisitiveness towards the contribution of Science in our life.  

I would like to thank the organising team & participating schools to make this event a success. I would also like to thank the present & preceding management of DRDL for actively assisting the association to hold the event. Sincere thanks to the eminent speakers, who agreed to take time off to participate in our coveted programme.

I wish the symposium a great success. 

Debashis Basu,

President, JUAAH

From the Desk of Secretary

Jadavpur University Alumni, Hyderabad Chapter has taken up Symposium of Popular Science for school students as one of its prime and enthusiastic activities apart from other welfare and philanthropic contributions to the society.

A major part of this Alumni Chapter is from a back ground of Science and Technology. So organizing this series of Symposia, from its inception to success, is naturally out of passion and, of course, out of a noble intent.

It is quite encouraging to notice that, there is an increasing trend of participating schools with bubbling interest.

The 4th Symposium of Popular Science, this year, is going to get organized again at the DRDO Auditorium, Kanchanbagh. Thanks to all our well-wishers from DRDO, DRDL and RCI for their patronage, support and encouragement as always.

This is also an opportunity for us, elderly students from society, to expand intellectual horizon while moving forward to achieving a noble objective for the new millennium.

Such endeavors do succeed because of spontaneous involvement and cohesive participation of active members, irrespective of age and stage.  

Sushanta Dutta,

General Secretary, JUAAH

From the Desk of Chairman, Symposium Committee

From the Desk of President

Three years back, some of our enthusiastic members undertook a program to inculcate scientific temperament among the youngsters. A symposium on popular science for school students was organized by us on August 29, 2009 at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR) main auditorium involving renowned scientists and physician of the twin cities. The overwhelming response that we received from the students and teachers alike inspired us to make it again next year. This is our third endeavour. We are extremely happy to note that by this time we have been able to set a cult of scientific activities among the students. We have been able to make them appreciate that there is an exciting world of science outside the realm of their regular curriculum. We are receiving requests from the schools to increase the frequency of such programs. Students are approaching us for a seat in the auditorium during the lectures, even when they are not deputed by their schools. We consider it our biggest achievement.  

We appeal to the government and non-government organizations as well as to the individuals to extend helping hand to our effort so that we could organize the symposium in bigger scale inviting students from remotest parts of the state, during the years to come. We dream of a society, free from superstitions, religious bigotry and cast system and governed by people with rational outlook. Needless to say it requires dissemination of scientific outlook among the growing generation. We are striving to attain this goal. We need your help to actualize the dream. Let us join hands and move forward. 

Chandana Khan,

President, JUAAH

From the Desk of General Secretary

We can be really proud that our Alumni Association, despite having limited number of active members, is not hesitating to take initiative to organize several socio cultural events every year. One of the most worth mentioning amongst these is the Science Symposium organized for school children from classes IX-XII of Twin Cities.

For this a lot of credit goes to our fellow member, Dr. Madhav Chattopadhayay of CCMB, whose initiative was instrumental for hosting the first symposium at IICT auditorium in year 2009. We shall host this time at DRDO auditorium at Kanchanbagh, an event originally scheduled for 2011, however spilling over to 2012 for reasons beyond our control.  

The symposium will probably not be able to prevent more & more meritorious students drifting away from taking up study of Science beyond school level, however at least on that day, may get some food for thought on pursuing Science as a career option. May be not, may be I am too optimistic about it but from the experience of the last two symposiums, it was clear that the students enjoyed the programme a lot and were looking forward to next ones. This in itself is a source of great satisfaction for us.

I am sure that the programme this year will also create a lot of excitement amongst the participating students. I would like to particularly thank the steering committee members responsible for organising this symposium, Dr. Amal Chakraborty, Dr.Chanchal Sarbajna & Dr.Madhav Chattopadhyay for their efforts to make this event a success. 

Debashis Basu,

General Secretary, JUAAH

From the Desk of Convener

From the Desk of President

It is common knowledge that Jadavpur University, Alumni Association, Hyderabad is a distinguished body which has been taking up varieties of Programmes and Projects since it inception in Hyderabad. These Programmes and Projects have been for the entertainment and education of its members, touching different fields of Art, Culture and Literature.

The University, Alumni Association has been very conscious of the fact that many of its members are very well established in their respective fields of Science & Technology. In fact we are proud that several of them have received many prestigious awards at the National level. We felt that the University Alumni Association should take up projects and programmes in the fields of Science & Technology and thereby use our existing human resource for the benefits of our members in particular, and society in general.

The present initiative of holding a seminar in Hyderabad on popular science is a result of our resolve to launch a programme in the field of science. We particularly felt that we should target the school children of the upper classes who can be exposed to discussions on popular science in a single day seminar. I am overwhelmed by the response we have got from speakers and the students alike.

I am also thankful to the organizers who have made this possible.

My best wishes for the success of the seminar.

Chandana Khan,

President, JUAAH

From the Desk of Secretary

When did another scientist of international repute like Dr.C.V.Raman, Dr.J.C.Bose, Dr.Meghnath Saha or Dr. Har Gobind Khorana last emerge from India? Not in recent times. I am not sure why, but wonder if it has something to do with the fact that lesser & lesser number of meritorious students opt for study of pure science these days. It is also a fact that on an average, students of pure science do not get adequately remunerative professional opportunity as against relatively attractive job opportunities that the market offers today to large number of students completing study of engineering & technology.

It is truly disappointing to observe the increasing lack of interest in India towards study of science by students, some of whom even excel in science subjects till the intermediate level.

We know that deep routed superstition engulfs a vast majority of our population even today. Unauthorized medical treatments take many lives across the country. There are many such instances prevailing at large in our society although India is getting increasing international recognition as a country with high level of capability in the fields of information & technology!

Government of India have been making increasing efforts to encourage students to opt for study of pure science by creating very attractive scholarship scheme like KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) and setting up unique institutions like IISER (Indian Institute of Science & Educational Research) at various Indian cities for imparting high quality education in science at undergraduate/post graduate levels. I sincerely hope that during the days ahead, study of pure science will regain momentum and our society will be benefited out of this.

As a small step towards generating awareness amongst students, Hyderabad chapter of Jadavpur University Alumni Association decided to hold a conference on "Popular Science" for students of classes IX-XII from different schools of Twin cities on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the IICT conference hall, Eminent persons with chequered background of scientific achievements will address the students and will also interact with them during the scientific session. This will be followed by a "Science Quiz Contest".

I hope that with proactive participation by students, the conference will be a great success. I would like to sincerely thank the Management of the schools for having agreed to send their students to this conference. I would also like to thank the Management of IICT for letting us use their conference hall free of charge. The speakers deserve heartfelt thanks for the time devoted by them in giving the lectures and last put not the least, I would like to express sincere thanks to the energetic & motivated team from JU Alumni association for working hard since days to make this programme a success.

I do hope that more such programmes will be possible to be organized in future with a wider participation in our continuing effort to popularize science amongst students.

Debashis Basu,

General Secretary, JUAAH

From the Desk of Convener