GUWAHATI: About 150 innovative science models were demonstrated at an innovative science model contest held at the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) on Thursday as a part of the celebration of National Science day.
The contest was organized by the School of Biological Sciences, USTM, in association with Regional Institute of Science and Technology. Prof Gopal Das, Dean, Research and Development, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati inaugurated the Science Model Exhibition and delivered the Science Day lecture on the theme “Science for the People and People for the Science”.
Delivering the Inaugural lecture on this year’s Science Day theme, Prof Gopal Das said that observing Science Day with presentation of innovative scientific models is a kind of humble way of starting career as entrepreneur or promoter of science and technology in the country. “Science day is a platform that can open up good opportunities for the students in the future because whenever you make a scientific model, you always keep in mind that it has to be of some application for development of mankind”, headed as he was addressing the students.
Prof. K Pakshirajan, Department of Bio Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati also spoke on the occasion and said that he was happy to witness a huge gathering of students at USTM to participate in the Science Day celebration with science model exhibition. He said that IITG puts much stress on research and development and thanked the organizers for inviting to be part of such an enthusiastic Science Day celebration.
On this special occasion, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM said that the motto of USTM has always been to impart quality science and technology education and advanced research in frontier and cutting edge areas. Innovation and invention remain the chief focus of the university.
Expert judges from IITG and other premier institutions came to judge the scientific models. Out of the scientific models presented by the students, five models won first prize with certificates and cash awards of Rs 7,000 each; 5 models won second prize, each winning cash award of Rs 5000 each and certificates; 5 models won third prize, each winning cash award of Rs 3000 each and certificates while the rest of the model presenters received certificates and Rs1000 each. There were five sub themes to accommodate all the models.
National Science Day is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm on 28th of February every year in order to commemorate the invention of the Raman Effect in India by the Indian physicist, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on the same day in the year 1928. For his great success in the field of science in India, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was awarded and honored with the Nobel Prize in the Physics in the year 1930.
