Press Release II (17-12-09) Press Release I (28-11-09)
 

97th Indian Science Congress

at Thiruvananthapuram

Press Release                                                                                                                17 Dec 2009 

Indian Science Congress 

  • Biggest national science event in India
  • Annual meeting of scientists, science managers, policy makers and students
  • A forum where about 7000 delegates participate, explore and interact on matters of science, and seed the future direction of science in the country  
  • Organised under the aegis of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)
  • ISCA - formed in 1914, has headquarters at Kolkata, more than 17000 members
  • Dr G Madhavan Nair is General President, ISCA during 2009-2010

97th Session of Indian Science Congress (ISC) 

  • First time in Thiruvananthapuram
    • Second time in Kerala: 1990 Congress was at Kochi
  • January 3-7, 2010, at Kariavattom Campus, University of Kerala
  • Co-hosted by University of Kerala & Indian Space Research Organisation
  • Focal theme: Science & Technology Challenges of 21st Century – National Perspective 
  • Website: www.isc2010.in
  • Inauguration by Hon Prime Minister of India

 Inauguration

  • On 3 January 2010, 0930 – 1100 hrs at Main Pandal, Kariavattom Campus
  • Function includes formal photo session and procession of ISCA council members along with Prime Minister
  • Inaugural Address by Prime Minister
  • Addresses by Governor of Kerala, Chief Minister of Kerala, Minister of Science & Technology, Government of India and Dr G Madhavan Nair, General President, ISCA
  • Release of special publications and Science & Technology policy by Prime Minister

 Events Planned during 97th ISC (Tentative Programme)

  • A number of events planned in more than 20 venues in the campus
  • Two Nobel Laureates expected – Prof Roger Tsien, Dr John C Mather
  • Special Sessions – on 3 Jan
    1. Session on the theme of the Congress “Science & Technology Challenges of 21st Century – National Perspective”  chaired by Dr G Madhavan Nair
    2. Science Programme for the Country attended by Secretaries of different departments like Dept of Science & Technology, Dept of Space, Dept of Bio-Technology, Dept of Atomic Energy and Director Generals of national institutions like CSIR
  • Plenary Sessions during Jan 3 – 7 on different topics like

·         Food and Nutritional Security

·         Current Issues on Biomedical Research Studies

·         Weather, Climate & Environment

·         Bio-Technology

·         Nano Materials & Technology

·         Biodiversity & Sustainable Development

·         Energy

·         Information Technology

 

Ø      Scientists like Dr M. S. Swaminathan, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Dr Irving Zucker, Dr Roddham Narasimha, Dr K. Kasthurirangan expected to participate. 

  • Public Lectures in the evenings by Scientists including Prof M G K Menon, Prof C N R Rao, Prof Roger Tsien, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, and Dr R A Mashelkar
  • Space Summit – on Jan 4, chaired by Dr K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO

Ø      International participation

Ø      To derive the future vision for  Space Technology and applications

Ø      Focus on  Human Space Flight Programme and the results of Chandrayaan-1 

  • University Meet – on Jan 6

Ø      Topic: Status and Future Perspectives of Science Education

Ø      Vice Chancellors of Universities and eminent educationalists participate

Ø      Panel discussion on Frontiers of Science & Technology of 21st Century 

  • Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan (Science Communicators’ Meet)

Ø      Session for science communicators and journalists

Ø      Focus on role of Space Science & Technology in advancing Science Journalism 

  • Symposia – during Jan 3 – 7

Ø      On 14 different sections of study in different venues  

Ø      Sections include Agriculture Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Plant Sciences

Ø      Invited lectures, Presentation of papers, concurrent Poster sessions 

  • Children’s Science Congress

Ø      Parallel to Indian Science Congress : during Jan 4-6

Ø      About 3500 selected school students from all-over India & Kerala

Ø      Inauguration by Dr A  P J Abdul Kalam

Ø      Interactions with eminent scientists,  Project presentations, Witnessing Rocket Launch, Activity Corner etc 

  • Exhibition

Ø      Showcasing developments in Science & technology in India

Ø      Open to public from Jan 4 onwards 

  • Cultural Programmes for delegates on three days

Ø      Programmes by talents from University of Kerala & ISRO also planned. 

Go to Top

97th Indian Science Congress

at Thiruvananthapuram

Press Release                                                                                           28 Nov 2009

 Indian Science Congress

 

Indian Science Congress (ISC) is the largest national science event in India. It is the annual meeting of scientists, science managers, policy makers and students.  This is a forum where about 7000 delegates participate, explore and interact on matters of science, and seed the future direction of science in the country.  The Congress is held during January 3-7 every year in a prominent place in India. The fact that the Congress is inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister of India shows the esteem with which the event is held in the country.

 ISC - The Genesis

 It is the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) that organizes the Indian Science Congress. ISCA, which has its headquarters at Calcutta, was formed in 1914 with the objective to popularize and promote the cause of science in India. Holding the annual congress is one of ISCA’s main objectives. The Executive Committee of ISCA is headed by the General President.

 The first Indian Science Congress was held in 1914 in Calcutta. Sir Ashuthosh Mukherjee, the then Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University was the President. One hundred and five scientists from different parts of India attended, and 35 papers were presented in six sections. From this modest beginning, ISCA has now grown to a body consisting of more than seventeen thousand members, and regional chapters in different parts of India. The number of sections has expanded to fourteen, including Agricultural Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Material Sciences, Medical Sciences, Plant Sciences, Science & Society etc.

 The 34th ISC was held in Delhi in January, 1947 with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the General President. ISC celebrated its Platimum Jubilee in 1988 when Prof C. N. R. Rao was the General President.  

 For the first time, the capital of Kerala is playing host to this premier national event. The 97th Indian Science Congress is going to be held at Thiruvananthapuram during January 3-7, 2010.  Incidentally, ISC was held once earlier in Kerala, at Kochi in 1990. 

97th Indian Science Congress

 97th Indian Science Congress is jointly hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the University of Kerala. The venue is the verdant surroundings of the Kariavattom Campus of the University of Kerala. The focal theme this year is Science & Technology Challenges of 21st Century – National Perspective.  About 7000 delegates from all over India and abroad, Eminent Scientists and also a few Nobel laureates are expected to attend the Congress.

  The Events Ahead

 The Congress will be inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Hon Prime Minister of India on January 3.  There will be Plenary Sessions every day. The sessions will focus on different subjects including the theme of the Congress, Science Programme for the Country, Food & Nutrition, Health, Climate, Environment, Energy etc. Scientists such as   Prof. C. N. R. Rao,  Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan and Dr. Roddham Narasimha will  chair the sessions.

 There will be paper presentations on all days in 14 parallel sessions corresponding to the different sections of ISCA.

 Public Lectures are an integral part of the Science Congress. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Prof M. G. K. Menon and Dr. R. Chidambaram are some of the erudite speakers going to share their wisdom with the Congress participants.

 Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan is the session for science communicators and journalists where the focus of discussion will be on role of Space Science & Technology in advancing Science Journalism.  

University Meet will be an event where Vice-Chancellors of different Universities and eminent scientists ponder on the status and future of Science Education in the country.

 The great strides made by the Indian Space Programme and the benefits accrued to society will be debated during the international Space Summit which will try to derive the future vision for  Space Technology and applications. Focus on Human Space Flight Programme and the results of Chadrayaan-1 will be part of the summit discussions.   

Children’s Science Congress, for school students, is conducted in parallel along with ISC.  The delegates are brilliant students who have performed meritoriously in several national competitions. The Children’s Science Congress will be inaugurated by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who will also interact with the children. Interactive sessions with other eminent personalities and Nobel laureates, visits to major institutions, presentations of projects, witnessing rocket launch at VSSC, exhibitions and creative activities will keep the promising youngsters busy during the days of the Congress. 

A major Exhibition will showcase India’s development in the field of Science & Technology with particular emphasis on the significant contributions to society.  The emergence of the country as a space power will also be highlighted.  

The Exhibition is open to the public. 

Cultural Programmes are also included in the schedule of 97th ISC.

 Delegates to 97th ISC 

The web-site www.isc2010.in provides all information on 97th ISC.  

Registration of delegates to 97th ISC is currently in progress.  Registrations can be on-line through the web-site or off-line. Special discounts are available for student delegates.

 Getting Ready to Welcome the Delegates 

The Organising Committee of 97th ISC is chaired by Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, General President, ISCA  & Former Chairman, ISRO. The Local Organising Committee (LOC), chaired by Shri. P.S. Veeraraghavan, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Co-chaired by Prof. A. Jayakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kerala, has the overall  responsibility of  making all arrangements. LOC is supported by  eighteen Functional Committees taking care of various branches of activity  needed to make Thiruvananthapuram ready for  this mega event.

 Indian Science Congress aims to serve as a platform to enthuse and inspire academics, youth as well as the common man in matters of science and its benefits to mankind.  The main intent of the 97th ISC will be to assess the progress made so far by the country in Scientific Research and Development and, besides, the challenges ahead in sustaining and augmenting the current growth in the 21st century.

 ISC comes for the first time to the capital of God’s own country. So, it is exciting times ahead for the science enthusiasts of Kerala and the country as a whole.

Print this Page      

Go to Top