CSIR-North East Institute of Science And Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, celebrated National Technology Day 2024 on 13 May with a special programme at Dr JN Baruah Auditorium. Padma Shri Dr PS Goel, FNA, FNAE, Former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered the Technology Day Lecture, while Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, Managing Director, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd, Assam, was present as Guest of Honour.
In his address, Dr Virendra M Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NEIST, welcomed the gathering and mentioned that the day symbolises indigenous science & technology’s immense contributions to the country’s progress. He encouraged all to take this day as an inspiration to contribute to the country’s development by inculcating the spirit of innovation and developing need-based technologies.
In his lecture on the topic “Future of Engineering Sciences” Dr Goel presented a whole gamut of opportunities for future engineers, scientists and innovators in various disciplines of science & technology. He explained that while science is understanding the nature of a concept, engineering is applying scientific knowledge to benefit society. He delved deeper into discussing the evolution of modern science, starting from the discovery of the decimal system, zero and trigonometry by mathematicians & astronomers such as Aryabhatta, Bhaskara-I and Bhaskara-II to the discovery of gravity, laws of motion, molecular structure and quantum mechanics by scientists like Isaac Newton, Bohr and Richard Feynman.
Talking about the Future of Engineering Sciences, he encouraged scientists, engineers & innovators to adopt the power of visualisation. He said that most scientific & technological evolutions are based on visualisation and those who have the audacity to dream big. He spoke in detail about futuristic technologies for human habitat on Mars, Air taxis based on battery/fuel cells, Green Hydrogen, Quantum Computers & Quantum Communication, Gene Therapy, Large adaptation of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, etc. Concluding his lecture, he said that everybody cannot be a scientist or an engineer, but everybody can be an innovator.
Addressing the event, Shri Phukan discussed the various challenges of the oil & gas sector to ignite young minds to come up with solutions. He informed that sustainable Aviation Fuel is one global challenge many countries are currently working on. He also informed that oil demand in the country will continue to grow till 2040 and further highlighted that NRL’s major challenges are sustainability and achieving Net Zero emission by 2038. The other key challenges he highlighted were Green Hydrogen production & its logistics, Biofuel and Compressed Biogas production.
To encourage upcoming entrepreneurs and startups, the institute invited some successful entrepreneurs to participate in the event and share their entrepreneurial journey.
Invited guests largely attended the programme, entrepreneurs, school students & teachers, press & media personnel besides CSIR-NEIST fraternity.
