THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, March 13: A two-day national conference titled “Catalysis in Synthesis (CiS-2026)” began on Friday at the Golden Jubilee Lecture Theatre of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, bringing together leading chemists, researchers and students from across the country.
The conference is being organised by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology as part of the institute’s centennial celebrations marking 100 years of academic and research excellence.
Focus on Advances in Catalysis and Synthetic Chemistry
Welcoming participants at the inaugural session, conference convenor Prof. Soumitra Maity highlighted the growing importance of catalysis in modern chemical synthesis, particularly in areas such as pharmaceuticals, materials science and sustainable technologies.
The conference aims to provide a national platform for scientists, academicians and research scholars to exchange ideas and discuss emerging trends in catalytic reactions, synthetic methodologies and sustainable chemical processes.
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Padma Shri Awardee Delivers Inaugural Lecture
Padma Shri awardee Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Chair Professor at IIT Kanpur, attended the event as the Chief Guest and delivered the inaugural lecture.
He emphasised that catalysis plays a transformative role in modern chemical research and noted that collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches will be crucial for developing innovative and sustainable synthetic methods in the future.
Platform for Scientists and Young Researchers
The inaugural function was presided over by Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM), who said that national conferences like CiS-2026 provide valuable opportunities for interaction between senior scientists and young researchers, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Other dignitaries present included Prof. Keka Ojha, Dean (Continuing Education Programme), and Prof. S.K. Padhi, Head of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, who highlighted the department’s expanding research initiatives in contemporary areas of chemistry.
Scientific Sessions and Poster Presentations
The programme also included the felicitation of the chief guest and the formal launch of the conference proceedings. Prof. Sunil Pulletikurti, co-convenor of the conference, delivered the vote of thanks.
The two-day conference will feature keynote and invited lectures by prominent researchers from leading institutions across the country, along with poster presentations by young scientists and interactive discussions aimed at promoting collaboration in catalytic chemistry research.
