Inauguration Function of International Conference on Bioplastics (BIOP-2019)

An International Conference on Bioplastics (BIOP-2019) was organized by the Department of Microbiology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, on 2nd April, 2019 in the Conference Hall, at the Science Campus of Alagappa University, Karaikudi.

Presiding over the function, Prof. N. Rajendran, Vice-Chancellor, Alagappa University, rightly pointed out that Alagappa University has now attained a significant place owing to academic excellence at the national level and the faculty must use this as a launching pad for creating benchmark in research. He added that we should compare our work with the work of universities ranking high globally to move forward. To achieve this global recognition, he stated that 1) Commitment, 2) Passion and 3) Sacrifice are needed. The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that world’s 4% annual oil production of fossil fuel is used as feedstock for production of plastics. This creates energy crisis and environmental problems. Bioplastics is one of the possible solutions for above said problems. Current trends focussed attention on production of bioplastic from Microorganisms by utilising renewable raw materials. Currently several polymers are synthesized from industrial waste by microbial fermentation.

The Department of Microbiology and Alagappa Institute of Skill Development in collaboration with CSIR, South Africa have already initiated a collaborative setup for manufacturing Bioplastics production at a cost of Rs.1.83 crores at Alagappa University under RUSA 2.O scheme.

Recently Dr.A.Arun, Associate Professor & Head i/c, Dept. of Microbiology of Alagappa University Prof. Kunyu Zhang and his team members from Tianjin University from China received a fund of Rs.56.57 lakhs under SPARC by MHRD for production of cost effective modified bioplastics as an alternative for petroleum based plastics. He added that Alagappa University would be signing MoUs with higher world ranking Universities including the Tianjin University, China.

The chief guest, Prof.Kunyu Zhang, Tianjin University, China, in his inaugural address informed that there is a lot of scope for more co-operation between the two departments and even between our two universities. Research on Bioplastics has broad scope and it would provide employment opportunities to the students. Another scholar from the same University Prof. Dr. Dong Po Song, in his felicitation, invited students, scholars and Science Faculty members of Alagappa University to Tianjin University to have research collaboration for the betterment of both the institutions.

Participants from various universities, institutions across the country, Alagappa University Science Faculty Members, Research Scholars and Students from Science Departments were present at the inaugural function. Dr. A. Arun, Head of the Department (i/c.), Alagappa University, Convener and Organizing Secretary of the Conference welcomed the gathering earlier and presented the thematic address Dr. T. Kavitha, Assistant Professor, proposed a vote of thanks.

Source

Alagappa University, press release, 2019-04-03.

Supplier

Alagappa University
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India
Tianjin University

Share