The 103rd edition of Indian Science Congress (ISC) will be held in Mysuru from January 3 to 7 next year.
The high-status event will coincide with the centenary celebrations of the University of Mysore, which is hosting the Science Congress. This is the second time that Mysuru is hosting the ISC.
Announcing this at a press conference here, Vice-Chancellor K,S, Rangappa said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to inaugurate the five-day event. Around 10,000 to 15,000 delegates, including Nobel laureates and eminent scientists, are expected to attend.
Disclosing that ‘drug discovery’ is likely to be the theme of the 103rd edition of ISC, Mr. Rangappa said the arrangements for the event would be discussed in the general body of the Indian Science Congress Association in Mumbai which is hosting the 102nd edition from January 3 this year.
The Vice-Chancellor said he was planning to seek a formal consent from the Government of India to invite the heads of Science and Technology departments from SAARC countries for the event.
Around Rs. 20 crore will be required to host the prestigious event. The varsity will try and mobilise the funds besides seeking grants from the Centre and the State government, Mr. Rangappa said.
To a query, Mr. Rangappa said the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, is expected to release Rs. 5 crore for the event. He said the mega science event is expected to guide policymakers in preparing new programmes and schemes for popularising science.
