Announcement: Seminar on Polymers and Environment

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 
   

Prizes

In addition to the certificates, the winners will be given cash awards.

Paper presentation : Rs 5000/- (1^st Prize), Rs 4000/- (2^nd Prize)

Poster presentation : Rs 4000/- (1^st Prize), Rs 3000/- (2^nd Prize)

Important Information

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Preferably, the paper shall be on a relevant ongoing project. Otherwise, the contestants are advised to begin the project before the presentation.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The selected applicants for oral/poster presentation will be intimated before August 10, 2013.
9. Results will be declared in the valedictory function of the seminar on September 4, 2013.