Guwahati: The Department of Chemistry at B. Borooah College (Autonomous), Guwahati, successfully organised a two-day international conference on Progress and Challenges in Modern Day Sustainable Science (PCMDSS-2026) on November 2 and 3, bringing together scientists, researchers, academicians and industry experts from India and abroad.
Organised in collaboration with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Pollution Control Board, Assam, the conference provided an international platform to discuss scientific advancements, environmental challenges and emerging sustainable technologies.
The event witnessed participation from several prestigious international institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, Uppsala University in Sweden, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Germany, the University of Toulouse and Aix-Marseille University in France, the University of Lincoln in the UK and the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.
Several leading Indian institutions were also represented, including the University of Delhi, IISER Kolkata, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, IIT Patna, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, Gauhati University, Cotton University, Tezpur University, Nagaland University, Mizoram University and Dibrugarh University.
The conference featured 13 technical sessions covering key areas such as renewable energy, green chemistry, waste management, climate change, biomaterials and other emerging fields of sustainable science.
During the two-day event, participants delivered 26 invited lectures, 40 short invited lectures, 40 oral presentations and 38 poster presentations.
The research presentations highlighted scientific innovations and their potential applications in addressing environmental and industrial challenges.
The Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored awards for the top three oral and poster presentations to recognise outstanding research and encourage young scientists and scholars to pursue innovative work in sustainable science.
The conference was inaugurated on November 2 in the presence of chief guest Dr Arup Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, Assam.
Dr Satyendra Nath Barman, Principal of B. Borooah College, welcomed the delegates, while Dr Bijoy S. Goswami introduced the conference theme and highlighted its relevance to contemporary scientific challenges.
The inaugural session featured keynote addresses by Professor B.N. Gosai, ANRF PM Fellow and Professor of Excellence at Gauhati University, and Professor William Jones of the University of Cambridge.
The speakers highlighted the importance of scientific research, technological innovation and the practical application of sustainable solutions to address global challenges.
A cultural programme showcasing the traditions and heritage of Northeast India was also organised on the opening day.
The two-day conference concluded on November 3 with a valedictory session addressed by Dr Pradyumna Mazumdar, Convener of PCMDSS-2026.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Mazumdar expressed gratitude to the collaborating organisations, participating institutions, invited speakers, researchers and delegates for their contributions to the successful organisation of the conference.
He reiterated B. Borooah College’s commitment to promoting scientific research, academic collaboration and sustainable science education in the region.
The conference also opened opportunities for future research collaborations, international academic partnerships, joint research initiatives and fellowships, strengthening the scope for scientific cooperation between institutions in India and abroad.
