Science Congress ends with Shodh Samwad at PU

Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON) concluded with academic mega event CRIKC Shodh Samwad at Panjab University (PU) here today. Six shortlisted young scientists and research scholars from the CRIKC institutes presented their research work through science story.

The three-day CHASCON was organised by PU and ‘Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster’ (CRIKC) institutions on the theme of ‘Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat’.

Nearly 1,200 academicians, scientists and researchers from various institutions and industrial houses from the Chandigarh region and other parts discussed adoption of integrative approach in sciences.

Savitribai Phule Pune University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Suresh Gosavi delivered the valedictory lecture. Prof Gosavi emphasised that India is going through significant transformations in energy, digitalisation and AI, which align closely with the mandate of this conference. These changes offer great opportunities for the younger generation to contribute meaningfully to sustainable, self-reliant technological advancements in fields like AI and digital transformation, he added.

Prof Savita Bhatnagar, Director Research & Development Cell, Panjab University, in her address, encouraged and motivated the young researchers to continue the research work for societal benefit.

The conference report was read by Prof Yogesh Kumar Rawal, Coordinator, CHASCON 2024, where he provided details of all three-day activities. Prof Sonal Singhal, Co-coordinator of the conference, gave the vote of thanks.

Prof Gaurav Verma, Coordinator, CRIKC, explained the role of CRIKC in fostering collaborations and partnership to encourage young budding scientists to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

IISER researcher bags first prize

Ankita, from Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, received the first prize in Shodh Samwad for her presentation on research to find healing solution for diabetic foot ulcer. “Wounds in diabetic people turn into ulcers and pose major problem in feet since healing process in their body is slow. My research is to find ways in which the healing gets boosted,” she said. Harender, from Department of Zoology, PU, grabbed second prize for research on gut-brain axis. “Gut in our body is called the second brain. Keeping the gut healthy can help in better stress management,” he added. The winner of third position, Deepak Kumar Goyal, another researcher from PU, had presented his research efforts on ‘black fever’.