“We must reinvent how we invent” – John Warner
Rekindling and Fostering Chemical Sciences
In his virtual lecture, Prof. John Warner, a pioneer of Green Chemistry, set the tone for the conference with a powerful reminder: “We must reinvent how we invent.” He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable innovation in science and education. Addressing this extremely crucial topic, Prof. Warner delivered his lecture at the International Conference on “New Dimensions in Chemical Sciences and Education,” which was held in academic collaboration between Somaiya Vidyavihar University and the Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), from September 11 to 13, 2025, at the university’s Mumbai campus. The event marked the Silver Jubilee of ACT (2000–2025) and underscored both institutions’ shared commitment to advancing chemical education and research.
Inaugural Session: Thought Leaders Unite with Emphasis on Foundational Sciences
The conference opened on September 11 with a grand inaugural ceremony. Prof. Sunil Bhagwat, Director of IISER Pune and Professor at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, delivered the keynote address, highlighting chemistry’s transformative role in education and innovation.
Joining him was Dr. Kamlesh Bhagwat, Head of R&D at Godrej Agrovet, who presented an industry-focused perspective on the evolving applications of chemical sciences.
Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice-Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, welcomed the delegates and reflected on the rationale behind organizing a conference focused on foundational sciences:
“This conference is very important, as student interest in fundamental sciences is declining. Without a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, even technology cannot grow. Professional courses are essential—but only when they’re built on strong foundational base in basic sciences. We want to equip teachers with tools like AI, but at the end of the day, teachers are irreplaceable. Without a strong foundational base even technology cannot grow. This event promotes capacity building among educators and fosters student engagement with core sciences.”
He also highlighted the university’s multidisciplinary vision:
“In a university offering professional courses like management and engineering, it is equally critical to promote basic sciences in a significant way.”
Dr. D. V. Prabhu, President of ACT, underlined the importance of bridging the academia-industry gap:
“There must be an effective interaction between academics and industry. Our academic courses should reflect industrial realities and students must gain exposure through projects and placements. In Somaiya, I see much more industry engagement than in many other universities.”
He further added on how to strengthen this connection:
“Academia must take the lead in approaching industry. Just hoping for collaboration isn’t enough—we must initiate conversations and even ask them to share real-world problems for our labs to solve.”
Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Founder President of ACT, reflected on the organization’s 25-year journey of promoting chemistry education across India.
Joint Vision, Diverse Sessions
The Somaiya–ACT collaboration curated a rich, multidisciplinary conference agenda. Over three days, technical sessions explored emerging topics including:
- Green and Sustainable Chemistry.
- Nano chemistry and Computational Chemistry.
- Advanced Functional Materials and Polymer Chemistry.
- Catalysis, Chromatography and Indian Knowledge Systems.
- Entrepreneurship and Industry-Academia Collaboration.
- Innovative Pedagogy and Students’ Perception of Chemistry.
- IUPAC Initiatives and Global Scientific Trends.
The conference addressed 24 themes, spanning frontier areas such as Renewable Energy, Drug Design, Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry, AI-driven Chemistry and ICT tools in Chemistry, reflecting the evolving landscape of chemical education and research. The conference not only highlighted scientific advancements but also fostered deeper cooperation between academia and industry.
Global Experts and Cutting-Edge Research
The conference featured lectures from global and national experts sharing breakthroughs and educational innovations. Notable speakers included:
- John Warner, USA – Co-author of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.
- Prof. Suresh Valiyaveettil, National University of Singapore.
- Prof. Ponnadurai Ramasami, University of Mauritius & University of Johannesburg.
- Dr. Satish Pai, President, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLP, South Asia.
- Prof. Uday Maitra, IISc Bangalore.
- Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, IISER Mohali.
- Prof. A. K. Tyagi, HBNI–BARC, Mumbai.
- Prof. S. R. Gadre, SP Pune University.
- Prof. Shaikh Mobin, IIT Indore.
- Dr. Bipul Saha, IUPAC and Indira University, Pune.
- Padmashri Prof. G. D. Yadav, Former Vice-Chancellor, ICT Mumbai
- Prof. S. Sivaram, IISER Pune
And several others from top institutions including IITs and ICT Mumbai.
Fostering Young Talent Through Research Presentations
The conference saw active participation from students, educators, and researchers. In total, the conference featured 40 paper presentations, 90 oral presentations, and 90 poster presentations, providing a platform for sharing research, receiving feedback and engaging with experts in the field. Outstanding student presentations were recognized by ACT, encouraging excellence in academic research.
Closing Ceremony Emphasizes Future Directions
On September 13, the Valedictory Function was graced by Prof. Suvarna Kulkarni (IIT-Mumbai) as the Chief Guest. She praised the conference’s collaborative spirit and urged participants to stay “curious, connected and committed to sustainable science.”
A Milestone in Academic Collaboration
This international conference highlighted the power of partnership between academia and industry and the critical role of chemistry in building a sustainable, knowledge-driven future. Celebrating 25 years of ACT, the event laid a strong foundation for continued cooperation between Somaiya Vidyavihar University, ACT and the global scientific community.
