The Departments of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies in Chemistry, St Aloysius College(Autonomous), Mangaluru organized a two-day INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “NANOTECHNOLOGY – 2019: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES” on 10th and 11th of January, 2019 in the L.F. Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block.

Prof Karanam Uma Maheshwar Rao, Director, National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal was the Chief Guest. Rev. Fr. Dionysius Vaz, SJ, the Rector of St Aloysius Educational Institutions presided over the Programme. Rev Dr Praveen Martis, SJ,Principal, St Aloysius College (Autonomous) released the book of abstracts. Prof. Zineb Mekhalif, Director, Laboratory of Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Surfaces (CES), University of Namur, Belgium delivered the Keynote Address.

Chief Guest, Prof Karanam Uma Maheshwar Rao-Director, NITK, Surathkal in  the inaugural addresshighlighted the recent advances in the field of Nanoscience exemplified by the importance of the Gold and Uranium in the field of mining.He posed the challenges of Nanoscience saying that it would be the end of the world if Nano robots would take over humans if the field was misused and gave a call to carefully exploit and utilize the benefits of Nanotechnology as this field provides immense scope for improvement.

Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ in his presidential remarks saidthat the Departments of Chemistry have been instrumental in organizing innovative programmes throughout the year of which this International Conference was another innovative achievement and highlighted the usefulness of nanoscience and nanotechnology for the betterment of the society.

Addressing the gathering, Principal Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ said that there is uniqueness in the field of Nanoscience. The field is highly exploited and is still rapidly growing in terms several challenges that is providing enormous opportunities to the scientists. He quoted the contributions of Michael Faraday and Richard Feymann in this field and highlighted the innovations of nanotextiles, nanoflaments etc.

Dr.Richard Gonsalves-Director of LCRI block welcomed the gathering, Dr.Ronald Nazareth-Convener introduced the chief guest, Prof Rajgopal Bhat –Head Department of UG Chemistry graced the occasion, Ms.Preema Cealla Pais, the organizing secretary proposed the vote of thanks, Ms.Prajna from MSc Chemistry compered the programme and Prof Zineb Mekhalif-University of Namur delivered the keynote address.

Besides this, Dr. Simon Detriche, MrArvind K Bhakta, MrSebastienVivegnis from University of Namur, Belgium, Dr. ArunIsloor, NITK Surathkal, MsDanica Pinto- University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Prof. Eshwarmoorthy- JNCASR, Prof Suresha SJ-Technology Manager, MNCF, CeNSE, IISc, Bangalore, Dr. Navinchandra G Shimpi- University of Mumbai, Dr. Belkhiri Samir- Algeria, Dr Halley menezes -Japan delivered the lectures during these two days.