In a remarkable collaboration, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), in association with the Indian Photobiology Society, hosted a three-day International Conference at the KIIT and CSIR-IMMT campuses from November 18 to 20, 2023.
The collaboration between these two esteemed institutions and the Indian Photobiology Society certainly created a platform for fruitful discussions and knowledge exchange in the field of material science.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS group of institutions and Hon’ble member of parliament. Prof. J. R. Mohanty, Registrar, extended a warm welcome, while distinguished guests including Prof. Manmohan Parida, Director, DRDE, DRDO; and Prof. Prasant Panigrahi, Director, IISER Kolkata, shared insights with the participants. Prof. Nitin Chattopadhyay, President of the Indian Photobiology Society, also addressed the audience. The vote of thanks was conveyed by Prof. Bamaprasad Bag, Chief Principal Scientist, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar. Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS.
Notably, the Indian Photobiology Society, established in 1960, recognized the contributions of Prof. Achyuta Samanta with the Diamond Jubilee Award and honoured Padma Shri Prof. J. P. Mittal with a lifetime achievement award.
Eminent personalities like Prof. Ramanuj Narayan, Chief Patron of the conference and Director, CSIR-IMMT; Dr. Ashok Ganguli, Director, IISER Berhampur; and Prof. Amitava Das, Dean, IISER Kolkata and Former Director, CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, graced the conference, making it a gathering of distinguished academicians and scientists.
The valedictory program at CSIR-IMMT featured Prof. H.N. Ghosh, Director, NISER as the chief guest, with Prof. K.K. Nanda, Director, IOP and Prof. Chittarajan Sinha, Secretary, Indian Photobiology Society, as the Guests of Honour. The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), American Chemical Society (ACS), Engineering Science Publisher, and Indian Photobiology Society recognized outstanding contributions through awards for the best poster and oral presentations.
The conference, particularly focused on material science, showcased a stellar line-up of speakers, ranging from IISc., Bengaluru, to renowned national and international institutions. With 300 participants from across the country and international delegates, the event received an overwhelming response, featuring more than 200 abstract submissions. Dr. Rojalin Sahu, Associate Dean, CRC, and Dr.Bamaprasad Bag, Chief Principal Scientist, IMMT, served as the conference conveners, ensuring its success. The contributions of all the KIIT and CSIR-IMMT faculty, senior administrators as well as student volunteers, were greatly appreciated for the smooth conduct of the conference.