Goemkarponn desk
MAPUSA:
The Department of Chemistry of Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre, Assagao, Goa, in association with the Directorate of Higher Education, organized a Two-Day International Conference on “Green Chemistry and Intellectual Property for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Bhanu Manjunath, Director, of Research and Technology, Syngenta Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., who highlighted the need for sustainability for humans rather than the for earth. He also applauded the initiative taken by the organizing team for putting up such a well-structured and appropriate theme for the conference.
Principal of the college Prof. Dilip Arolkar, in his address, complimented the Department for organizing the conference on a very relevant topic and highlighted the various initiatives taken by the college to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. He told the gathering that for the last three years, the college has been preparing Natural Holi Colors and distributing them in the state of Goa thereby reducing the use of toxic chemical Holi Colors. He further said that such practical initiatives if undertaken by all institutions, will help in meeting the goals of sustainable development.
The Chairman of Dnyanprassarak Mandal, Shri Kiran Shirodkar, DHE Representative, Dr Mahesh Majik, Vice-Principal, Dr M. Shanthi, Convener and Head of the Chemistry Department, Prof. Vidya Desai, members of the Management and Speaker Delegates were the dignitaries present for the inaugural function. This conference was aimed at seeking attention to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as put forth on the UN agenda.
This conference was the right platform that brought together the green chemistry innovators, IP officials, faculty and student researchers and industry entrepreneurs. The keynote address was delivered by Swarup Bhatnagar award winner Dr. Amol Kulkarni, NCL Pune.
The conference had a blend of nationally and internationally renowned intellectuals and invited speakers, including Dr Hemant Kumar, a UN representative at Geneva, Dr Krishna Sharma, University of York, Prof. Thomas Wirth from Cardiff University, Dr Priyabrata Das, Syngenta Biosciences, Prof Rakesh Sharma, University of Delhi, Prof Antonio Patti, Monash University, Adv. Anand Mahurkar, Am legal associates, Pune, Dr Deepak Koshniwal, CEO, Deesha Foods, Pune, Dr Ravindra Purohit, IP Pharma consultant, Dr Boopathy, IISER Pune, and Dr Nitesh Mehta, Founder of GreenChemisTree Foundation. There were 39 poster presenters and 20 oral presenters. The event was supported by Syngenta Biosciences Pvt. Ltd, Deccan Chemicals Pvt. Ltd and Avra Synthesis. The highlight of the conference was the award of Royal Chemical Society (RSC) cash prizes and a year of RSC membership for the top three winners of both oral and poster presenters.
Overall, 125 participants benefitted from the conference. It has been a conscious effort to create a forum for discussing green chemistry and intellectual property to make the attainment of UN sustainable development goals a reality.
The key to the conference’s success has been the scheme by the Directorate of Higher Education-Government of Goa, which supports such events.
