New Delhi, 7 April : Hindu College, University of Delhi, successfully conducted the second day of the International Conference on Sustainability through Fundamental and Applied Sciences (STFAS-2026), bringing together eminent scientists, academicians, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the globe.
Principal of Hindu College, Prof. Anju Srivastava, said that the day unfolded through a series of intellectually enriching sessions that illuminated the critical intersections of science, sustainability, innovation, and policy. The programme also featured a particularly engaging session on “Empowering Future Scientists through Mentorship and Instrumentation Skills,” which inspired young scholars to strengthen their research capabilities and envision impactful scientific careers, she further informed.
The session on “Science for Sustainability: Bridging Research and Innovations” featured distinguished speakers who presented cutting-edge research addressing pressing environmental challenges. Prof. Basudeb Saha, President & CEO of Rikarbon, USA, spoke on innovative approaches to upcycling post-consumer plastics into sustainable adhesives, emphasizing circular solutions for plastic waste. Dr. Parveen Saini, Senior Scientist at CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, elaborated on advancing a sustainable circular economy through waste management and materials recovery. Prof. S. K. Mehta, Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, highlighted the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern green chemistry, offering a holistic perspective on sustainability. Dr. Shibu Saha, Scientist-D at CSIR-NPL, discussed the importance of metrological infrastructure in ensuring energy efficiency in artificial illumination, while Dr. G. S. Kapur, Advisor (R&D) at GAIL India Ltd., focused on creating value from single-use plastic waste. The session was chaired by Prof. R. K. Sharma, Honorary Secretary of the RSC London, North India Section.
Another significant session titled “Science, Startups and Policy Interface: Driving Real-World Impact” explored the dynamic relationship between scientific innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Prof. Monalisa Mukherjee, Director AICCRS and Professor at Amity University, Noida, presented her research on bio-inspired sustainable photothermal desalination systems. Dr. Rajeshwari Sinha from the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, addressed the scaling of nature-based solutions for sustainable health and food systems. Shri Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director of Bertelsmann India, provided valuable insights into entrepreneurship and startups from a venture capital perspective. Prof. Avtar Matharu from the University of York, UK, discussed the potential of unavoidable food supply chain residues as valuable resources, describing them as “Nature’s Periodic Table.” This session was chaired by Prof. S. K. Mehta.
The day also featured an engaging session on “Empowering Future Scientists through Mentorship and Instrumentation Skills”, which included a panel discussion titled “From Campus to the World – A Mentorship Dialogue.” Curated by Prof. N. Santakrus Singh from the Department of Physics, Hindu College, the panel brought together an accomplished group of international researchers and scientists. The discussion highlighted global academic pathways, interdisciplinary research opportunities, and the importance of mentorship in shaping scientific careers. Speakers included Dr. Prahlad Kumar Baruah, Dr. Nishtha Sachdeva, Dr. Ruchi Garg, Dr. Mansha Kansal, Dr. Amitayus Banik, and Dr. Anup Yadav, who shared their diverse experiences from leading research institutions across Europe, the United States, and Asia.
A parallel mentorship interaction in the field of Chemistry, curated by Dr. Manoj Chahal of the Department of Chemistry, Hindu College, featured an equally distinguished panel of researchers working at premier global institutions. The speakers, including Dr. Tarun Gera, Dr. Kushagra Gahlot, Dr. Deepika Sardana, Dr. Shikha Dhiman, Dr. Amit Dahiya, Dr. Sachin Kumar, Dr. Inderpal, Dr. Anita, and Dr. Vinay K. Sharma, engaged with students and young scholars on emerging research trends, advanced instrumentation skills, and international academic collaborations.
