A one day International Seminar on “Recent advances in Chemical Sciences” RACS IX was organized by P.G. Department of Chemistry, Khalsa College on 19-01-2023

A one day International Seminar on “Recent advances in Chemical Sciences” RACS IX was organized by P.G. Department of Chemistry, Khalsa College on 19-01-2023 in Sikh History Department Seminar Hall of Khalsa College, Amritsar. This was the ninth in a series of seminars designed to bring together scientists from different areas that have a common interest in organic and bio-organic chemistry. The event   began   with   Organizing Secretary, Dr. Seema Rani extending warm welcome to all present in the audience. Thereafter, the welcome addressed was given by Prof. B.K. Randhawa, Prof. and Head, Dept. of Chemistry who explained the idea behind the theme of conference as a platform to facilitate deliberations which will provide knowledge of changing role and critical place of chemistry in science. She emphasized that it is necessary to keep aware the students about future of basic sciences. The Principal of college Prof. Mehal Singh welcomed the speakers Dr. Olalla Vázquez, Prof., Department of Chemistry and SYNMIKRO, Philipps University, Germany, Dr Palwinder Singh, Professor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Dr Gaurav Bhargava, Professor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Punjab Technical Uuniversity, Kapurthala. He appreciated the theme of the conference emphasizing the need of such gathering for exchange of ideas for improvement of quality of life through application of better chemistry in daily life. In this seminar, graduate, post-graduate students, faculty members of the college as well as from various colleges, and Professors of different universities participated. Later on, the Chief Guest released the abstract book during the inauguration. Dr. Hardeep Kaur gave a brief introduction about the college and Chemistry Department.

Dr. Olalla Vázquez delivered inaugural talk and shared her recent work focusing on how the study of chemistry is not only for learning chemical concepts, but also for using as analytical and predictive tools in new situations. She highlighted her research on design of innovative chemical tools that are capable of sensing biological processes, and remotely controlling the molecular machines inside cells. Her research program takes full lead of photosensitive molecules, in particular focused on fluorophores, photosensitizers and photoswitches. In the next session, Dr. Palwinder Singh from GNDU spoke about the development of Multi-target molecules against Alzheimer's disease and Pathogenic mechanisms involved in the diseaseHis presentation also highlighted the ongoing research in their lab.

Prof. Gaurav Bhargava from PTU, Kapurthala shared his expertise on the [3+2+2] cycloaddition reactions which are important for the synthesis of seven-membered carbocycles. He also encouraged the students to consider the cycloaddition reactions for further research as numerous nature-friendly methods can be utilize for the synthesis of new compounds via Diels-Alder and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions to avoid environmental pollution caused by toxic solvents and other additives.

About 63 abstracts were received for poster presentation. The entire posters were of high quality, in terms of scientific contents, organization and demonstrations. A valedictory function was held at the end of seminar. During the valedictory function, prizes for Best Poster presentations were awarded in two categories (UG and PG) to encourage young researchers. All the resource persons have encouraged the students to take up research not only as higher education but also as a profession. Dr Amit Anand, Dr. Kultar Singh, Dr. Kirandeep Kaur, Dr Kuljit Kaur and Dr. Navalpreet Kaur proposed a vote of thanks to all the delegates, Professors and students for their valuable cooperation in making this seminar a grand success. On this occasion Dr. Harvinder Kaur, Dr M.S. Batra, Dr. J. S. Gandhi, Dr. Taminder Singh, Dr. Jasjit Kaur Randhawa, Dr Balwinder Singh, Dr Rajinderpal Kaur, Dr. Punita, Dr. Sukhmeet kaur, Dr. Jasneet Kaur Dr Aabroo Mahal, Dr. Gurpreet Singh, Dr. Harpreet Singh, Dr. Harpreet kaur, Dr Lovepreet Singh, Prof. Omish Sethi, Dr Kulwinder Kaur and faculty members of other departments and colleges were present.