Shillong, Oct 09: The Department of Nanotechnology at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) organized a thought-provoking workshop on the occasion of National Nanotechnology Day, which was celebrated on October 9th, 2023.
The workshop aimed to shed light on the significance of Nanotechnology as the Technology for the Future, drawing over 100 attendees, including teachers, scholars, and students.
The event featured two distinguished international scientists Prof. Kulsum Kondiahfrom University of Johannesburg and Dr. Raghumani Singh Ningthoujam from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, who delivered insightful talks on Nanotechnology and its applications.
Prof. Kulsum Kondiah is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department (Teaching and Learning) at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at the University of Johannesburg.
Prof. Kondiah boasts over 15 years of experience as an educator and researcher at institutions like the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg.
Her research focuses on innovative biotechnological solutions to address water, health, and agricultural challenges, where she utilizes nano-based diagnostics for surveillance of water-borne and clinical pathogens.
Prof. Kondiah’s expertise includes the development of molecular and serological diagnostic assays, and she has supervised numerous Ph.D. and Masters candidates.
Dr. Raghumani Singh Ningthoujam is a researcher specializing in Nanoparticle, Analytical chemistry, Luminescence, Ion, and Photoluminescence.
His research spans various fields, including Transmission electron microscopy, Precipitation, Nuclear chemistry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, among others.
Dr. Ningthoujam’s work in Luminescence encompasses areas such as Doping, Magnetic dipole transition, Ethylene glycol, Crystallite, and Particle size.His Ion study delves into Annealing and Phosphor, while his investigations in Composite material, Heterojunction, and Visible spectrum contribute to the field of Photoluminescence.
In addition to these esteemed scientists, the workshop also featured lectures from interdisciplinary experts, including Dr. Manasjit Gogoi, Dr. Mrityunjay Mahato, and Dr. Shruti Shukla, who discussed various fields with applications in Nanotechnology.
The Department of Nanotechnology at NEHU offers both M.Tech and Ph.D. programs in Nanotechnology, attracting students from diverse academic backgrounds such as Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Material Sciences, and various engineering fields.
Graduates with M.Sc qualifications are also eligible to apply for the M.Tech program, with preferences given to scores from nationally conducted exams like CUET and GATE etc.
Dr. L. R. Singh, the Head of the Department of Nanotechnology, emphasized the vast career opportunities in Nanotechnology and encouraged the youth of the North-eastern region, particularly in Meghalaya, to consider enrolling in this program.
Many alumni from the Department of Nanotechnology at NEHU have secured positions in prestigious institutions like IITs and NITs, or are pursuing higher education in countries like Taiwan, Germany, and South Africa.
The workshop proved to be an enlightening experience for all attendees, fostering a deeper understanding of Nanotechnology’s role in shaping the future and encouraging further exploration in this exciting field.
