A workshop on "Opportunities for Research and Innovation using the DST-Sponsored Facilities of Gauhati University" was held by the Department of Instrumentation and USIC from 24th Nov to 30th Nov 2022, in association with Shivaji University (Maharashtra).

The programme was financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, as part of the Synergistic Training Program Utilizing the Science & Technology Infrastructure (STUTI).

The Chief Guest of the inaugural session was Prof. Ashis K. Mukherjee (Director, IASST-Boragaon) and the event was inaugurated by Prof. Dilip K. Kakati (Dept. of Chemistry, Gauhati University). Prof. Parag Phukan (Dept. of Geological Sciences, Gauhati University) and Prof. Utpal Sarma (Head, SAIF-Guwahati) were present on the occasion.

Participants

The programme was successfully carried out with a total of 37 participants from various institutions, including Nanasaheb Mahadik College of Engineering, Tezpur University, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Bodoland University, Aligarh Muslim University, Assam Science and Technology University, Manipur University, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Vivekananda Global University, Assam Agricultural University, Raje Ramrao Mahavidyalaya, Kamrup Polytechnic, Bharathiar University, Shivaji University, Pandu College and Gauhati University. Researchers and faculty members with backgrounds in Physics, Chemistry, Electronics, Life Sciences, and Bioengineering were among the participants.

The DST-sponsored facilities at Gauhati University were showcased during the training programme. Lectures on the fundamental theory and operation, instrumentation, applications and hands-on demonstration of each instrument were covered.

Lectures were delivered by:

• Prof. Ananthakrishnan Srinivasan (IIT-Guwahati)
• Prof. Gopal Das (IIT-Guwahati)
• Prof. Jubaraj Bikash Baruah (IIT-Guwahati)
• Prof. Rajendra Sonkawade (Shivaji University)
• Dr. Bimal Kumar Sarma (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Hemen Kumar Kalita (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Manos Pratim Chakrapani Kalita (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Nilamoni Nath (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Pranjal Baruah (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Pranjit Hazarika (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Rupam Sarma (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Sujoy Bose (Gauhati University)
• Dr. Tridib Sarma (Cotton University)
• Dr. Debashis Saikia (Gauhati University)

Representatives from the analytical instrumentation company, Malvern Panalytical, Mr. Sanjoy Bandyopadhyay (Regional Sales Manager, East India), Dr. Sandeep Nagar (Application Specialist) and Mr. Malay Banerjee (Territory Manager, North and East India) provided meticulous assistance to participants during the hands-on sessions.

The schedule of the training programme was planned so that the participants may attend both lectures and a brief hands-on session using all the available DST-sponsored analytical instruments at Gauhati University. The preparation of the sample for different analytical procedures and an introduction to the interpretation of the experimental results were both covered during the lecture sessions.

During the hands-on sessions, the complete sample analysis procedure of Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SC-XRD), Powder X-Ray Diffraction, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), UV-Visible spectrometer, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

A visit to the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Boragaon, Guwahati, a DST-sponsored research institute was organised which is located close to the University. The detailed analytical procedures as well as sample preparations of various instruments like Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GCMS), Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LCMS), CHNSO Analyzer, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fluorescence Activity Cell Sorting (FACS), Confocal Microscope,  Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Raman Spectrometer, Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC), Photoluminescence Spectrometer were demonstrated to the participants.

The participants were also taken for a river cruise on the Brahmaputra River.

The valedictory session for the event saw the presence of Prof. Rajendra Sonkawade (Shivaji University) and Dr. Ranjan Kakati (Director of Student’s Welfare, Gauhati University).

The entire event was coordinated by Dr. Madhurjya Madhur Borgohain and Nairit Barkataki, with active support from Dr. Debashis Saikia, Dr. Pranjal Borah, Dr. Manas Protim Goswami and Dr. Kunjalata Kalita. The organising committee of the training programme was chaired by Prof. Utpal Sarma.