Rourkela, Nov 30: The Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering (BM) at NIT Rourkela commenced the 4th International Conference on ‘Bioprocess for Sustainable Environment and Energy -2024’, taking place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, officials said.

This significant event gathers over 100 participants from across India to discuss innovations and strategies in bioprocessing aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

Distinguished international keynote speakers from the University of Barcelona, Spain; Guangdong Technion China; and the University of Oulu, Finland, are attending this prestigious conference virtually. Esteemed experts from premier Indian institutes such as IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee, as well as representatives from leading industries, are also sharing their insights as the keynote speaker of the conference.

The conference, inaugurated on 29th November at TIIR Building, NIT Rourkela commenced with a welcome address by Organizing Secretary Prof. Angana Sarkar. This formal function featured distinguished guests, including the Chief Guest B.R. Palai, Executive Director (Operations) of SAIL-RSP, who is also an alumnus of NIT Rourkela.

In his address, Palai expressed joy in his alma mater for organizing a conference focused on the benefits of bioprocessing. He stated, "Bioprocessing plays a crucial role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing waste, and promoting sustainable industrial practices. This conference will provide practical solutions towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Integrating sustainability into industrial practices is challenging, yet essential. Conferences like these are instrumental in driving transformative changes, and the research conducted today will pave the way for a sustainable future by advancing eco-conscious innovations."

NIT Rourkela Director, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, lauded the conference title for its focus on sustainability, energy, environment, and bioprocessing. “These themes are not only timely but pivotal as we work towards balancing technological advancements with environmental responsibility. We must accelerate our efforts in producing and utilizing alternative energy sources to move away from carbon-based energy sources,” he said.

In his address, Prof. Rohan Dhiman, Registrar of NIT Rourkela, highlighted the potential of bioprocessing to transform food waste into valuable energy sources, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions to address resource scarcity. Prof. Dhiman emphasized that, despite significant advancements, the rampant use of plastics and the wastage of millions of tons of food worldwide remain pressing concerns.

Prof. Devendra Verma, Head of the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, urged researchers to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industry applications. He encouraged attendees to scale their innovations from lab-scale experiments to industry-scale applications. He said, “It is time for researchers to upscale their innovations/research, ensuring they are ready for real-world implementation and industry adoption.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Kasturi Dutta, one of the organizing secretaries. The program was anchored by Ms. Suha Ibrahim, an international PhD student (Syria), who is currently enrolled in the Biotechnology and Medical Engineering department at NIT Rourkela. As part of the inaugural activities, an abstract book was launched to showcase the diverse research contributions presented at the conference.

This conference exemplifies NIT Rourkela's commitment to promoting sustainable practices, and contributing to the global dialogue on environmental and energy challenges.

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