Aligarh: The Department of Industrial Chemistry at Aligarh Muslim University, organised a two-day National Conference on ‘Innovative Approaches in Industrial Chemistry for Eco-Friendly Solutions’ recently. Held at the MMTTC Auditorium, the event saw participation from over 150 delegates representing prominent universities across India.

Dr S Venkata Mohan, Chief Scientist at IICT (CSIR) in Hyderabad, and a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, delivered the inaugural address. He emphasised the importance of sustainability and life cycle assessment in chemical processes.

Dr Mohan highlighted IICT’s advancements in developing catalysts that reduce toxicity and carbon emissions, advocating for a circular economy where waste materials are transformed into valuable products and biofuels.

Prof Rafiuddin, Dean of Students’ Welfare, commended the department’s efforts in organising conferences addressing pressing environmental issues. He encouraged participants to integrate eco-friendly practices in industrial research and operations.

Prof Suhail Sabir was honoured for his contribution to AMU’s endowment fund, established to provide annual support to deserving students. He encouraged others to join this noble initiative.

Similarly, the inaugural function recognised Prof Feroz Ahmad, a retired faculty member and the visionary behind AMU's Industrial Chemistry program, for introducing the B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry course in 1993.

Presiding over the event, Prof Sartaj Tabassum, Dean of the Faculty of Science, lauded the conference’s focus on sustainable production methods in the wake of rising pollution and environmental challenges.

Dr Shahab Ali Asghar Nami, Chairman of the Department and Organising Secretary of IIES-24, provided an overview of the department’s achievements, including the recent approval of a GIAN program scheduled for early 2025. Dr Nami emphasised the critical role of industrial chemists in addressing waste discharge and carbon emissions.

Conference Convenor Dr Mohd Zain Khan in his welcome address elaborated on the concept of a circular economy and methods to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide for producing bioethanol and other sustainable fuels. He announced the department’s upcoming GIAN program on ‘Fascinating Features of Nano-Dimensional Smart Materials’ in April 2025.

During the vote of thanks, Dr Abu Mustafa Khan acknowledged the contributions of the invited speakers and participants. Prominent scientists and academicians, including Dr SK Raza, CEO, Fare Labs of Gurugram, Prof MGH Zaidi of GB Pant University, Prof RK Dutta of IIT Roorkee, Prof Tokeer Ahmad of Jamia Millia Islamia, and others, enriched the program with their insights.

Delegates from institutions such as GB Pant University, IIT Patna, Jamia Millia Islamia, and CSIR NEERI, among others, participated in discussions that emphasised sustainable chemical practices and innovative research.

The conference marked a significant step in advancing eco-friendly industrial chemistry solutions, promoting collaboration among academia, research, and industry to tackle pressing environmental challenges.