‘MATCON 2019’ Inaugurated at CUSAT

KOCHI:
The fifth edition of the International Conference on Materials for the Millennium, ‘MATCON 2019’ got off to a colourful start at Cochin University of Science and Technology.

Prof. Hanna Radecka from Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland and Prof. Salma Al Kindy from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, two women participants jointly inaugurated the conference at Science Seminar Complex of the University. Prof. Hanna Radecka in her inaugural address said that interdisciplinary research is essential for inventing new materials. Prof. Salma Al Kindy opined that conferences like these will help in knowledge sharing among the international community.

“Materials have helped in the shaping of human history through the ages starting from Stone Age”, said CUSAT Vice Chancellor, R Sasidharan while delivering the presidential address. “All new technologies are devised based on materials”, he added.

Dr. Girishkumar, HOD, Applied Chemistry and Chairman, MATCON, 2019 said that 80% of the researchers totaling 60 of the Department are backed by the fellowship of national agencies like UGC, CSIR, etc. Alumni of chemistry department are well placed in various national and international scientific and research institutions and many of them are honored with laurels including Bhatnagar award. “Department of Chemistry CUSAT has become one of the leading research/learning institution in the country due to its research oriented functioning and collaboration at an international level”, he added.

Padma Sri Prof. E D Jemmis, IISc, Bangalore, Dr. K George Thomas, Bhatnagar awardee and Professor, IISER, Trivandrum, Prof. M R Prathapachandra Kurup, Member of Syndicate and Dean, Faculty of Science, Dr. R Leena and Dr. Susmitha Dey, Conveners spoke at the function. Distribution of prizes and release of abstract of the conference was also held at the function.