International Conference on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Celebration of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers at Heritage Institute of Technology

By a Staff Reporter:  Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE) in association with Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata (HITK), National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar and Osmania University College of Technology, Hyderabad, organized an International Conference on ‘Advances in Chemical and Materials Sciences (ACMS 2022) on 14-16th April 2022 at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium of the HITK campus on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Celebration of IIChE. A special tribute was given to Dr. Hira Lal Roy, the great visionary and pioneer of Chemical Engineering education in India on this momentous occasion. The Inaugural session of the Conference organized on 14th April at HITK campus was graced by Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment, Govt. of India as the Chief Guest followed by Smt. Annpurna Devi, Minister of State for Education, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, Padma Shri Prof. (Dr.) G. D. Yadav, National Science Chair, Govt. of India, Former J. C. Bose National Fellow, Former Vice Chancellor, ICT Mumbai, Former President IIChE and President, Indian Chemical Society & Mr. Subhasendu Chatterjee, Whole time Director, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. as the Guests of Honour.
The inaugural session started with a lamp lighting ceremony followed by a welcome address by Shri D. M. Butala, President, IIChE and Dr. Basab Chaudhuri, Principal, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata. During his address, Shri Butala spoke about how IIChE had organized such a Conference and the various research papers which will be presented by scientists and scholars from different Institutions across the globe during the next two days. Dr. Basab Chaudhuri welcomed the dignitaries on and off the dais and also stressed on the significance of such celebration to emphasize on the role of Chemical Engineers in Nation Building. He also spoke about Heritage Institute of Technology and how the student chapter of IIChE at HITK is actively participating in various conferences and seminars. “This year our student of Chemical Engineering had secured an All India Third Rank in GATE 2022 and during the end of this month we are organizing ‘Chemspark’ an inter-college competition that will showcase various innovative projects made by the students of various colleges in Chemical Engineering,” said Dr. Chaudhuri during his address. The programme also witnessed the address of Dr. Avijit Ghosh, Honorary Secretary, IIChE, an alumnus of HITK and secretary of ACMS 2022 who spoke about the theme of ACMS 2022. The inaugural session was further addressed by Shri Vikram Swarup, Vice Chairman, Kalyan Bharti Trust and MD, Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd, and Prof. (Dr.) A.S.K.Sinha, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT). The session also included signing of MOU between IIChE & RGIPT and felicitation of the former presidents invitees of IIChE.
During the inaugural session, Padma Shri Prof. G.D.Yadav said, “The future of India will be Hydrogen Economy and the Government of India should adopt it to become self-sufficient.” He also stressed on the fact how chemical engineers are contributing towards 8 percent of the GDP of the Country. Minister Shri Rameswar Teli spoke about the developments Government of India is undertaking to reduce the imports of petrol from other countries. “We are investing a lot on green energy through which pollution can be reduced and for this we are creating more innovations and launching electric and CNG vehicles in the Country, “said Shri Rameswar Teli during his inaugural address. Smt Annapurna Devi had conveyed her best wishes to the Conference through Prof. M.K.Jha, immediate Past President, IIChE. Mr. Subhasendu Chatterjee spoke about the contribution IIChE made in the recent years in the field of Chemical Engineering.
In the end the vote of thanks was given by Dr. Madhu Agarwal, Joint Organizing Secretary, ACMS2022 and Professor, NIT-Jaipur. Nearly 500 delegates from various educational institutions and industrial houses attended the conference.
“We are glad to organize such a conference in association with the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. Our students and faculty members are actively involved in this conference and after the Covid-19 pandemic, such International Conference in the city of joy is something which will be cherished by us in the long run,” said Shri P.K.Agarwal, CEO, Heritage Group of Institutions Kolkata.

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