Symposium on Nuclear Physics concludes at Cotton University

GUWAHATI: The DAE Symposium on Nuclear Physics 2022 (SNP-2022), jointly hosted by Cotton University and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and sponsored by the Board of Research in Nuclear Physics (BRNS), Government of India, concluded here recently. Several distinguished scientists in the field of nuclear physics from abroad as well as from BARC, IUAC, TIFR, VECC, IITs and different universities of the country; faculty members, research scholars, and academicians, among others, took part in the symposium.

The symposium, which was held from December 1 and December 5 after a gap of three years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was a platform for the nuclear physics community of the country to interact, present and discuss about frontier research in the field of nuclear physics.

During the inaugural event, Education Advisor to the Government of Assam and the Chief Guest of the inaugural programme, Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta appreciated Cotton University for being able to host such a prestigious event. During his inaugural address, while commenting on the contribution of nuclear physics, he remarked, "A new technology for cancer therapy called ADBNCT (Accelerator Driven Boron Neutron Cancer Therapy) has been developed which is a target treatment without destroying the healthy cells of the patient. The present radiation of chemotherapy has a lot of side effects. This device can access all organs of the body. North-East India in general and Assam in particular are having highest number of cancer patients in the country. This kind of technology can go a long way in ensuring treatment for the needy people of the region."

Dr AK Mohanty, Director BARC, in his address highlighted that in the current era of mega science, the concern is not only electricity production. In today's context, there is a need for high-temperature production. For all these, energy is needed which can be procured from nuclear reactors which are sources of heat.

The inaugural event also included a joint welcome address by Dr S Santra, Convener, SNP-2022 and Prof JJ Das, Local Convener, Cotton University; addresses by Prof M Patgiri, Dean of Research and Development, Cotton University, Dr AK Gupta, Head, NPD, BARC; introductory remarks by Dr SM Yusuf, Director, Physics Group, BARC, and an address by Prof RC Deka,Vice Chancellor of Cotton University.

In the evening, Cotton University organized a cultural programme which included performances by the current students and alumni of the university for the delegates and participants.

Dr Ranoj Pegu, Assam's Minister of Education, inaugurated the Souvenir of the 66th DAE Symposium and then addressed the delegates and participants of the symposium. In his address, he explained how technology enters in medical practice, from clinical diagnosis to modern state of art techniques for diagnosis including nuclear medicines for critical treatment. He stressed on nuclear energy for development and peace. He also opined that higher education should be research-oriented. "Such a symposium will certainly motivate students to go for research in higher education, an arena where the Northeastern region of India is particularly lagging behind." he commented.

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