CHANDIGARH, March 12, 2008: CHASCON-2008 – The Second 2nd Chandigarh Science Congress will be organized on 14th and 15th March 2008 by Panjab University in association with various organizations in and around Chandigarh including PGIMER, NIPER, TBRL, CSIO, IMTECH, PEC, GMCH, CFSL, IISER, NITTTR, HSCST andPSCST.
The theme of the present congress is “Empowering India by Scientific Integration, Innovation & Invention”. Being a part of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Panjab University makes this Congress a historical event. A brain child of Professor R. C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, this Congress is being held under his stewardship and patronage. The Local Organizing Committee of CHASCON, entrusted to execute the diverse CHASCON responsibilities, encompasses some key legendry personalities of the City institutes catering scientific education and research with Professor S. K. Kulkarni, DUI, Panjab University, as its befitting Chairman. Professor O. P. Katare, Chairman, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences is the Organizing Secretary of the Conference.
Scientific deliberations, poster presentations covering various facets of science and technology shall be made during the congress. Exhibition of
scientific books and equipment during the event shall be another key attraction for the participants. CHASCON would also provide adequate opportunity to the scientific manpower in institutions to “showcase” themselves before the industry and entrepreneurs in its surrounding, thus ushering into a “Window of Science”. This kind of partnership is most sought after for taking Science out of the laboratories to the real life situations. Thus, Chandigarh can take the shape of a major scientific hub weaving several world-class institutions in and around. An open-house session has also been planned to promote healthy interaction amongst the delegates. Further details about the various events during the two day conference .
Nearly 1500 intellectuals, academicians and scientists from various institutions and industrial houses from Chandigarh, vicinity and even beyond are anticipated to participate in the conclave. Albeit the last date of registration for this event (CHASCON-08) was 5th March 2008, limited spot registration is also available.
Scientists working in different institutions of Chandigarh and proximity have been producing the high quality work, rated superlatively on national and international fronts. However, this excellent work has largely been carried out in the “isolated ivory towers”, as there is significant room for further improvement and growth by partnership. Since long, an acute need has been felt for a common platform wherein the city’s specific scientists could interact, integrate and collaborate in a symbiotic and symphonic manner to accelerate the pace and quality of scientific progress in the region, and reduce the time, effort and cost involved in it.
This cherished dream of the local scientists became a reality when the present Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Professor R. C. Sobti, took exceptional initiative in launching of Chandigarh Science Academy last year in 2007. Synchronously, the 1st Chandigarh Science Congress was also organized at Panjab University quite successfully, wherein several key institutes in the city and vicinity joined hands together to disseminate, discuss and evaluate the scientific know how in their respective specific domains. Hence in nutshell, the aims of the CHASCON include,
OBJECTIVES
1. To provide a common platform for exchange of ideas for city scientists.
2. To develop a consortium for thrust and focal areas of research.
3. To address the issues of community and provide scientific solutions.
4. To impart and extend scientific education to every public strata.
5. To impart scientific training to young researchers at par with global standards.
6. To develop translational research interface with industry.
7. To gear up for industrial collaborations and transfer of technology.
With these assorted objectives in mind, such “common platform” opportunities need to be imparted on regular basis to faculty, researchers, students, and
industrial scientists. The Congress aims to foster better communication among scientists and teachers across the city to discuss the thrust and focal areas of research and fulfill the long cherished dream of the local scientists for a common platform to interact, integrate and collaborate.