International science conference concludes at B. Borooah College

Guwahati, Nov 05: The Department of Chemistry at B. Borooah College, Guwahati, successfully organised the two-day International Conference on Progress and Challenges in Modern Day Sustainable Science on November 2 and 3, bringing together scientists, researchers, academicians and industry experts from India and abroad.

Organised in collaboration with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the Royal Society of Chemistry  and the Pollution Control Board, Assam, the conference provided a platform for discussing scientific advancements, environmental challenges and sustainable technologies.

The conference witnessed participation from several internationally recognised institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, Uppsala University in Sweden, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Germany, the University of Toulouse and Aix-Marseille University in France, the University of Lincoln in the UK and the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.

Leading Indian institutions, including the University of Delhi, IISER Kolkata, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIT Patna, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, Gauhati University, Cotton University, Tezpur University, Nagaland University, Mizoram University and Dibrugarh University, were also represented. Researchers from several other universities and colleges participated in the deliberations.

Technical sessions and research presentations

The conference featured 13 technical sessions covering renewable energy, green chemistry, waste management, climate change, biomaterials and other emerging areas of sustainable science.

A total of 26 invited lectures, 40 short invited lectures, 40 oral presentations and 38 poster presentations were delivered during the two-day event. The presentations highlighted ongoing research and potential applications of scientific innovations in addressing environmental and industrial challenges.

The Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored awards recognising the top three oral and poster presentations, encouraging young researchers and scholars to pursue innovative research in sustainable science.

Inaugural and valedictory sessions

The conference was inaugurated on November 2 in the presence of chief guest Dr Arup Kumar Mishra, chairman of the Pollution Control Board, Assam.

Dr Satyendra Nath Barman, principal of B. Borooah College, welcomed the delegates, while Dr Bijoy S. Goswami introduced the conference theme and its relevance to contemporary scientific challenges.

The inaugural session featured keynote addresses by Professor B.N. Gosai, ANRF PM Fellow and professor of excellence at Gauhati University, and Professor William Jones of the University of Cambridge. The speakers emphasised the importance of scientific research, technological innovation and the practical application of sustainable solutions.

A cultural programme showcasing the traditions and heritage of Northeast India was also organised on the opening day.

The conference concluded on November 3 with a valedictory session addressed by Dr Pradyumna Mazumdar, convener of PCMDSS-2026.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Pradyumna Mazumdar expressed gratitude to the collaborating organisations, participating institutions, invited speakers, researchers and delegates for their contributions to the conference.

He reiterated B. Borooah College's commitment to promoting scientific research, academic collaboration and sustainable science education in the region.

The conference also opened avenues for future research collaborations, international academic partnerships and opportunities for joint research initiatives and fellowships.