Inaugurating a two-day International Conference on Chemistry: Frontiers and Challenges as a mark of Centenary Celebrations of the Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. Kidwai appreciated AMU for holding such an important conference in a year which has been declared by the United Nations as the ‘International year of Chemistry’.
More than five hundred delegates from India and abroad are participating in the two-day deliberations including prominent Alumni from USA, UK and gulf countries.
He said that the Department of chemistry at AMU was established in 1911 and Prof. Duucelift was the first head and had placed in the history of education in India.
Prof. Kidwai said; “I feel proud that I was associated with this Department of Chemistry from 1951 to 1967 and initiated the teaching of Biochemistry
which was appreciated all over the country. He said that the Ministry of Health chosen AMU for medicinal plant and we introduced the new methods of teaching and held seminar courses to use new technologies and equipments during his tenure as Chairman of the Department.
In his presidential address, officiating Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Abrar Hasan said that Chemistry with its romantic beginning has fascinated scholars other than scientists also. Alchemy refers to medieval scholars for an elixir or Kimia (in Persian) capable of turning copper and other brass metals into gold. He hoped that the Department of Chemistry will have its own unique flavors, new generation will bring new achievements and take the department to greater heights.
Prof. Zafar Ahmad Siddiqui, Organizing Secretary of the Conference said that a century ago Prince of Walls Chemical Laboratory was established under the leadership of Prof. H.B. Duniliife. He said that the themes of the Conference was chosen to showcase the interactions between the various disciplines of Chemistry with main focus on interdisciplinary opportunities at the interface of Chemistry.
Professor Syed Ashfaq Nabi, Chairman, Department of Chemistry said that the purpose of organizing this international conference is to provide an opportunity especially for young researchers to interact with eminent scientists from important universities of the globe.
Prof. Sourav Pal, Director of National Chemical Laboratory, Pune said in his keynote address that chemistry is integrated with several sciences and chemistry has a great contribution in computational sciences. He further said that chemistry is providing career opportunities to students.
Prof. Abha Laxmi Singh, Dean Faculty of Science hoped that the participants from different parts of the globe will find their stay in Aligarh exciting and they will contribute to the new frontiers and challenges in chemistry.
On this occasion, Prof. A.R. Kidwai released a souvenir.
Dr. Suhail Sabir conducted the inaugural ceremony and Prof. Mohd. Shakir proposed the vote of thanks.