A G20/S20 outreach event was organized at Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) on 1st August 2023. The theme for the event was Science, Technology and Society.
The event had a propitious beginning with the floral welcome of guests by Prof. Baldev Setia, Director, PEC which was followed by the lighting of ceremonial lamp by Prof. Baldev Setia and the honorable guests. After that Prof. Arun Kumar Singh, Head, Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy (HSRIC), PEC, briefed the audience and the participants about the S20/G20 event. He emphasized on the changing of focus from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). In his address the director spoke about the strong foundation of PEC which has completed its 102 years of existence. Through all these decades, PEC has been significantly contributing in the development, through producing exceptionally fine engineers and research scholars, thus contributing towards the growth of the nation.
Afterwards, Prof. Prateek Kishore, Director, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) addressed the audience and shared his valuable viewpoints. He discussed about the journey of TBRL and how this institution has contributed towards science and technology for society and how the Industry-Academia collaboration can be a value addition to the research and development. He explained about the collaboration of PEC and TBRL to promote the research in defense equipment and products.
After that two MoUs were signed; one between PEC and TBRL, Chandigarh and another between PEC and GGSIU, New Delhi for collaboration between faculty and students for research.
Then Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, S20 Co-Chair and former DST Secretary while addressing the audience emphasized on science for society and the objectives behind the S20. The S20 is an Engagement Group (EG), vertical of G20, comprising the scientific academies of all G20 countries. He talked about the importance of sustainable development and said that S20 is a shared responsibility of many stakeholders, institutions, PSUs and common people.
The next session in the series was by Shri Nek Ram Sharma, Padma Shree Awardee. He mainly focused on organic farming and nature conservation.
Prof. Amitava Patra, Director, Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali talked about the role of S20 for society and what can be done with science and technology for society. His talk focused on how the convergence of distinct sciences is necessary.
Afterwards, Shri Uddhab Kumar Bharali, very interestingly, declaimed his life experiences with the gathering. “Innovation itself is nothing, it is the application of common sense” – he asserted!
Lastly Dr. Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, founder HIMS group of hospitals, expounded his views on the linkage between engineering and medical sciences.
The session concluded with the distribution of best poster awards and a mesmerizing cultural event by the PEC students.
At the end, Prof. Arun K Singh expressed his gratitude towards the guests, participants and the organizing committee.
