The Karyavattam campus of the University of Kerala will play host to the 81st annual session of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) beginning on Thursday.
The three- day event will have ‘Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science and Technology’ as the focal theme, Vice Chancellor of the university Prof.A.Jayakrishnan, general secretary, NASI, Prof.Krishna Misra and former president Dr.Asis Datta said here on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the session, they said 500 delegates from all over the country including teachers and research scholars were expected to present papers and participate in the panel discussions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr.K.Kasturirangan, member, Planning Commission is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on Thursday morning. Prof.M.G.K.Menon, Advisor, ISRO, Prof.Manju Sharma, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology and Prof.A.K.Sharma, president, NASI are expected to be present.
On Friday, Prof.M.S.Swaminathan will deliver a special address on the topic ‘Biodiversity, Sustainable Food Security and Green economy’. Other scientists scheduled to make presentations on the focal theme include Prof.H.Y.Mohan Ram, Dr.K.V.Sankaran, Dr.K.Venkataraman, Dr.P.Pushpangadan, Dr.Amit Ghosh and Dr.R.C.Srivastava.
The scientific sessions will cover a range of topics including bio resources, fragile eco systems, government initiatives and capacity building for sustainable management of biodiversity and critical scientific and technological inputs. A poster session is another highlight of the event.
ADVERTISEMENT
A Children’s Science Meet is also being organised on Saturday in connection with the session. Prof.Misra said the event was designed to provide a platform for children to interact with eminent scientists.
The awards for young scientists and the best paper presentations will be presented at the valedictory function on Saturday.
Answering questions, Dr.Datta said NASI had instituted a fellowship scheme to support young researchers and mentor them with the assistance of senior scientists. The academy also has a scheme under which scientists visit school and college campuses and villages to create awareness about the social relevance of scientific research.