GUWAHATI, Nov 4: USTM inaugurated a prestigious National Conference on Botany today in the august presence of eminent dignitaries including Padma Prof. Pramod Tandon, eminent scientist and former Vice Chancellor of NEHU; Dr. Kanad Das, Director of the Botanical Survey of India, Government of India; Prof. B. S. Kholia, President of the Indian Fern Society; Prof. S. P. Khullar, Secretary of the Indian Fern Society; Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM; and Prof. G. D. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of USTM.
Prof. G. D. Sharma, in his inaugural address, highlighted USTM’s commitment to research
and innovation in biodiversity and climate resilience.
Prof. S. P. Khullar, Secretary of The Indian Fern Society, spoke on the history and mission of
the IFS—founded in 1983 as an international organization promoting global research on
Pteridophytes (seedless vascular plants).
This was followed by an enlightening address by Prof. B. S. Kholia, President of IFS, emphasizing the need for collaborative research in biodiversity conservation.
A momentous highlight of the event was the conferring of the Lifetime Achievement
Award to Padma Shri Prof. Pramod Tandon, celebrated as the “alchemist of endangered
orchids”, for his pioneering work in biodiversity conservation and the promotion of
bioeconomy in Northeast India.
Another prestigious honor, the Birbal Sahni Foundation Award, was conferred upon Prof. G.
D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to
research and academic institution-building. The award commemorates the legacy of Prof.
Birbal Sahni, revered as the “Father of Indian Paleobotany.”
The session also witnessed the release of the Abstract Book, symbolizing the academic
essence of the event. The Chief Guest, Dr. Kanad Das, Director of the Botanical Survey of
India, Government of India, delivered the keynote address, underlining the importance of
seedless plant research in ecological and climate studies.
The inaugural function concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr. Dhritiman Chanda,
Organizing Secretary and Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, USTM. The event
ended on a patriotic note with the National Anthem, followed by a group photograph of all
participants and dignitaries.
USTM continues to uphold its legacy of academic excellence and societal contribution.
Accredited with an ‘A’ Grade by NAAC, placed in the NIRF India Ranking 2025 (150–200
band), and recipient of the ‘Green Assam Award’ presented by the Education Advisor to the
Government of Assam, Dr. Mahanta, the university was recently declared a “Centre of
Excellence” by the Resource Centre for the United Nations—affirming its growing global
standing in education and research.
