An International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials (ICAFM) kicked off at RGUKT Basar in Telangana

Business Wire India

• Integration of basic and applied research on nanostructured aspects of materials is encouraged in Telangana Universities: Mrs. Ranjeev R. Acharya, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Govt. of Telangana

An International Advanced conference on a rare subject Functional Materials kicked off on Monday at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), at Basar in Adilabad district, the place known as the Land of Knowledge, 200 km away from Telangana state capital Hyderabad. The conference will go on for three days and will conclude on 20th December. 
 
It is a matter of great pride that a ten years old budding University RGUKT is organizing an international conference with speakers of international reputation. RGUKT is the first state university to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based education for learning and evaluation. 
 
Organized by Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), 200 delegates from over ten countries such as USA, South Africa, UK and other countries as well as many cities from across India are taking part in the three-day symposium. 
 
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. A. Ashok, Vice-Chancellor of RGUKT Basar said, "RGUKT is an autonomous body, established in a 300-acre campus to cater the needs of meritorious rural students. It is adopted by Government of Telangana. The enrolment of girl students and general demand to get into RGUKT is exponentially increasing."
 
"RGUKT is the first University to start integrated six years B.Tech program just after completion of the 10th class," Dr. Ashok informed.
 
Speaking further, Dr. Ashok added that inventions are crucial. The Conference on Advanced Functional Material is being organized to enthuse interest in the students and young faculty and encouraging them to take up research and developmental activities. 

Smt. Ranjeev R. Acharya, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Higher Education graced the inauguration function of the conference as a Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, immediately after the inauguration, she said, "Technology is fundamentally innovation-driven, and universities must inculcate innovative thinking in students."
 
The conference on Advanced Functional Materials is topical. Selection of materials, information on their composition, structure, and surface are crucial for a specific application. Physics and Chemistry of how atoms are arranged in materials underpin the design, fabrication and applications, said Smt. Ranjeev R. Acharya.
 
Speaking further she said, the integration of basic and applied research on nanostructured aspects of materials is encouraged in Telangana Universities. The government is keen on developing research and developmental activities in the universities, she said. 
 
The conference is interdisciplinary with a wide range of applications in optoelectronics, sensors, magnetic memory devices, etc., she stated. And she hoped that the conference would inculcate scientific temper in students and enable scholars and the young faculty to update their scientific knowledge.  
 
According to Dr. Ravi Varala, Convener of the meet, the internationally acclaimed scientists from Physics and Chemistry came together to discuss and showcase their research findings to researchers from India and abroad.
 
The seminar covers from basics to applications in Nano-Science and Nano-Technology, Synthetic Chemistry, Green Chemistry and Computational Materials Science, Dr. Ravi Varala added.
 
Prof. Apparao M Rao, Director of Clemson Nano-Material Institute, Clemson University, a 128years old University in USA was the Chief Guest at the inaugural and delivered Keynote address. His research in nanoscience and nanotechnology has been cited over 30,000 in open literature
 
Prof. S. Jonnalagadda from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa was the special invitee. Indian born Professor Sreekantha Babu Jonnalagadda, published over 240 Research Papers and participated in over 100 international conferences on the subject held in 40 different countries.
 
The theme of the conference is "Applications of Smart Materials in the areas of Nano-Science and Nano-Technology, Synthetic Chemistry, Sensors and Computational Materials Science." The Conference aims to address the application aspect of these Functional materials in areas of societal relevance, to discuss current scientific issues and to ignite scientific temper in young researchers.
 
The Inaugural and Key Note Address was followed by a plenary talk by Prof. Jonnalagadda from South Africa and the other Plenary and invited speakers to include eminent Professors from IIT's, NIT's and IISER, etc.
 
The proceedings of the meet will be published in UGC recognized journal.