We are organizing a seminar on Polymers and Environment on September 4, 2013. The seminar is supported by the United States- India Educational Foundation (USIEF) Alumni Award, 2012-13.
We use umpteen products made up of polymers
(plastics and rubbers). Common folk do not even know that many
products they use for routine activities are made up of polymers.
However, it is essential to control the abuse of polymers, otherwise
it creates heaps of waste around us polluting the environment. We
should contribute whatever we can to ensure public awareness
regarding the use and abuse of polymers and thereby contributing
towards a clean environment. The following experts will deliver
lectures on relevant topics.
Prof.
Sabu Thomas,
Director,
Centre
for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Topic:
Recycling
of Polymers
|
Dr.
Ashok R. Menon,
Senior
Global Technology Manager,
Sabic
Technology Centre, Bangalore
Topic:
Polymer
Industry and Sustainability
|
Prof.
Rani Joseph,
Cochin
University of Science and Technology
Topic:
Rubber
Waste Management
|
Prof.
V. K. Sasikumar,
Govt.
Engineering college
(Rtd.),
Thrissur
Topic:
E-waste
Management and Recycling Technologies
|
Mr.
Joseph John,
Director,
KA
Prevulcanized Latex Pvt. Ltd., Nagercoil
Topic:
Environment
Friendly Natural Rubber Latex Grades
|
Mr.
Jose Joseph Moonjely,
Executive
Director,
Credai
Clean City Movement, Kochi
Topic:
Our
Responsibility in Hygiene Management and Prevention of Epidemics
|
Mr.
Shibu K. Nair,
Program
Director, Zero Waste, Thanal,
Thiruvananthapuram
Topic:
Issues
in the Commercial Use of Plastics
|
Mr.
T. M. Muhammed Ja,
District
co-ordinator, Suchitwa
Mission
Topic:
Clean
Environment
|
Prof.
P. I. John,
Emeritus
Professor,
Institute
for Plasma Research,
Gujarat
Topic:
Industrial
Plasma Activities at IPR
|
Who can register for the seminar?
If
you are keen on a clean environment, then the conference is for you.
If you have concerns on environmental issues related to plastics and
rubbers, we need your presence in the seminar. Students, research
scholars, teachers, policy makers, panchayat and municipal authority,
environmental activists, journalists, lawyers or law enforcement
authority,… anyone can register for the conference. The seminar
will be on September 4, 2013.
Do you wish to register for the seminar? Then, contact nsntmgu@gmail.com at the earliest. Please send a registration fee of Rs 200/- also. The mode of payment and the address are given as item numbers (6 and 7) below.
Paper/poster
Presentation Competitions
In
connection with the seminar, we conduct paper/poster presentation
competitions for students and research scholars on the same day. The papers will focus the
following themes.
- Is it possible for a complete ban on polymer products?
- Recycling of polymers
- Importance of public awareness: Role of Legislative, Judiciary and Police
- Role of product manufacturers
- E-waste handling
- Polymer waste and bio-waste
In addition to the certificates, the winners will be given cash awards.
Paper
presentation : Rs 5000/- (1st Prize), Rs 4000/- (2nd
Prize)
Poster
presentation : Rs 4000/- (1st Prize), Rs 3000/- (2nd
Prize)
Important Information
- Research scholars/Degree/Post graduate students in any discipline, can present a paper/poster in the competition. Please note that the contest is not limited to Science/Technology students.
- We have decided to include students from other disciplines as well since the issue has serious impacts on the society. However, if you are a Humanity student, please find a Science/Technology partner (not essential, though) for the project as this is an attempt to find a practical solution to environmental issues. Hope such an interdisciplinary attempt will enhance the efficacy of the project.
- It is not be easy to find an immediate solution to the waste problem. What we care about is your attitude and your efforts in finding a solution to the problem, how genuine you are in addressing the problem etc.
- Preferably, the paper shall be on a relevant ongoing project. Otherwise, the contestants are advised to begin the project before the presentation.
- Submit the registration form to nsntmgu@gmail.com on or before July 31, 2013 in the format shown here. Also please attach a brief outline of the paper in one page limited to a maximum of 425 words. It should include the title, name and institution of the team members, summary, introduction, methodology, expected outcome/ conclusion. This will be published in the Proceedings of the seminar.
- Participants are requested to remit a registration fee of Rs 200/-. This can be paid as DD or online payment. Those who want to make online payment are requested to contact Dr. Geethamma V. G. in the above e-mail id for details. DD can be taken in favour of the Director, Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University.
- Please send the DD, copies of the signed registration form and one-page paper mentioned above to Dr. Geethamma V. G., Asst. Professor, Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarsini Hills P.O., Kottayam, Kerala- 686560 before July 31, 2013.
- The selected applicants for oral/poster presentation will be intimated before August 10, 2013.
- Results will be declared in the valedictory function of the seminar on September 4, 2013.
