Khanapara, Oct 31: With focus on research and innovation, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) organized the North East Research Scholars’ Conclave on “Role of Researchers in making India Viswaguru by 2047” at its campus on Monday.
Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore addressed as the Chief Guest of the Conclave. The inaugural session was also addressed by Dr S Sreenivasa, Deputy Advisor, NAAC, Bangalore in the presence of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor and Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, other distinguished guests and more than 600 research scholars coming from different parts of the region.
Prof Rangarajan also laid the foundation of the Interdisciplinary Research Block at USTM at a function held in the University campus on Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Rangarajan said that apart from basic research, researchers must focus on socially important issues. “We have to rely on local strength and environment to make impact towards building a great nation,” he stressed, adding “It doesn’t matter what your background is as far as you have passion to achieve and success.”
In addition to the Director of India’s top institution in world university rankings, other distinguished speakers in the Conclave included: Dr RK Sony, Advisor, AICTE, New Delhi; Dr Gopi Chand Merugu, Deputy Secretary, UGC-North Eastern Regional Office; Dr Sannyasi Elumalai from University of Madras; Prof Saurabh Basu, Professor, Dept of Physics, IIT Guwahati; Prof Vimal Katiyar, Professor, Dept. Chemical Engineering and Dean R & D, IIT Guwahati and Prof Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Professor, Dept of Political Science, Gauhati University.
On the same occasion, USTM also awarded 27 faculty members for their outstanding contribution towards Research and Innovation.
The two main sessions of the Conclave deliberated on ‘Outcome based Research for Societal Transformation’ and ‘Opportunities of Quality Research and the Challenges faced by Researchers in the current context’.
The Conclave ended with an enthusiastic interactive session between the research scholars and the respective experts.
The research Conclave at USTM provided a forum to identify multidisciplinary problems and encourage the scholars to be passionate about their research and bring quality output. It provided an opportunity to the scholars of various institutions to share ideas on diverse topics.
Prof G D Sharma stated that the prime objective of the Conclave was to showcase the ongoing research activities by research scholars of USTM and other institutes of North East by providing a platform for exchange of thoughts among distinguished scientists, faculties and scholars as well as inspire research scholars to demonstrate innovative research work aiming to foster the country’s development in making India ‘Viswaguru’ by 2047.
