Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 29: A workshop on handling analytical instruments, a need of the hour for every young budding chemist was held at Fr Robert Sequeira hall. The key impetus of this programme was to understand better about the operating instruments in the laboratory and to provide students the knowledge in handling the instruments they use.
The functionaries present were Mustafa Badshah the chief guest, Dr Suresh M Tuwar the guest of honour and Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ the principal who presided over the function. The formal function began with a prayer service invoking the presence of the almighty. This was followed by the formal welcome delivered by Dr Richard Gonsalves, vice principal of LCRI block who officially welcomed the dignitaries as well as the participants.
After lighting of the lamp the chief guest Mustafa Badsha, the chief advisor recalled how equiptronics has serviced the field of science for a period of 38 years. In his inaugural address, he stated that industries and academics have to walk hand in hand for development of the country. Turning back the pages of history he quoted worldwar 2, wherein a brain draindue resulted due to the poor policies of the German government which led to a once prosperous country domineering the field of science. The scientific minds moved to USA and other countries making them super powers overnight. Observing the Nobel laureates Mustafa quoted the CEO of equitronics stating that most of them were of German origin thereby concluding that the quality of the professionals depends on the teaching ability to groom them, therefore there is need for the academicians to indulge the students in project and research institutes. He stated that ISRO, DRDO, DFRL and CFTRI have many bright research fellows contributed by St Aloysius institutions. C V Raman was a student of St Aloysius institution Vishakapattanam and was expecting the moulding of another Nobel laureate from the institution.
After the awe inspiring address the guest of honour Dr Suresh M Tuwar associate professor of chemistry, Karnataka Science College, Dharwad, compared the generation gap of technology between then and now. In the previous generation, the instruments were unable to reproduce the data, furthermore each instrument was larger in size and they were for a single purpose unlike the miniature and multipurpose instruments of today. Additionally the instruments have evolved towards the ease of usage and were cost effective. Earlier the German companies dominated the field of science however nowadays due to the revolution in technology, many countries have begun to dabble in technology and come up with better cost effective and high performance equipment. The future is to make sustainable instruments. The instruments have become the heart and blood of the science field. However, one must not lose logic along the way. Along with basic sciences where logic is cultivated there is need to go hand in hand with the instruments. It is imperative to nurture the need to analyse. Relying on the report given by instruments blindly is just as good as being a technician. For teachers possessing master and graduate degrees the need to understand the analysis of the report as well as the working of the instrument is crucial for further development of India.
Fr Dr Praveen Martis S J in his presidential address expressed his joy at being part of the workshop. "Rather than discussing the right method of governing the country or the path, the field of science must take, one must first be equipped themselves. One must have persisting inquisitiveness and the need to make the difference as individuals, rather than be spectators to development. Only then one can pave the road to the development of the country. The importance of this workshop was stressed." He also thanked equiptronics for taking the initiative to create awareness.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Joythi Rao organizing secretary, department of postgraduate studies and research in chemistry.
The programme was organised under the leadership of head of the department of post graduate studies and research in chemistry Dr Ronald Nazareth.
Head of the department of UG Chemistry Prof Rajgopal Bhat and PG chemistry Dr Ronald Nazareth were present on the dais.
Ranjitha PG student of analytical chemistry compered the programme.
After the inaugural the first session was by Mustafa on the topic 'Working principles of instruments and good laboratory practices'. The second session was by Dr Suresh M Tuwar on 'Fine features of electronics equipments and calibrations'.
In the afternoon a hands on training programme was taken up by Yusuf Saifee the service engineer of Equiptronics on servicing and maintenance of analytical equipments.
145 staff and students from 23 colleges participated in the workshop.