Nagpur:-Eminent Amity Scientists, Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Senior Vice President, Amity Foundation for Science, Technology & Innovation Alliances (AFSTIA), Dr. Sunita Rattan, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology and Director, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, and Dr. Kiran Bajaj, Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, were invited as Distinguished Speakers to the 108th Indian Science Congress-2023, held at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj (R.T.M.) Nagpur University, Maharashtra, from 3-7 January 2023.
In addition, Prof. Suresh Chandra, Deputy Director, Amity Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics was elected as the President for Physical Sciences Section of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) this year. He delivered the Presidential Address on 4 Jan 2023, in the opening section, chaired by Prof. KPR Nair, Senior most President of the section, one of the Invited Speakers in the section. The 108th Indian Science Congress-2023 was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, with the focal theme of the Congress being “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment.” 
Amity showcased its recent developments in Research and Innovation, Patent Filing and Technology Transfers, during the 108th Indian Science Congress-2023, through Amity’s stall which showed a footfall of more than four thousand visitors from across India, enquiring inquisitively about the research initiatives and offering to collaborate in the areas of science, technology, research and innovation.
It was a momentous occasion for Amity, wherein Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Former Director General, Life Sciences and Distinguished Scientist, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), currently Senior Vice President, Amity Foundation for Science, Technology & Innovation Alliances (AFSTIA), delivered an insightful talk on “Biotechnology to Bioeconomy: Opportunities and Challenges for India”, during the Plenary Talk. During his talk, Dr. Singh averred, “With the evolution of Biotechnology, Bio economy has become the new buzzword and “Bio Tech-nomy”, derived by combining the two terms, “Biotechnology” and “Bio economy”, provides solutions to the problems of a sustainable environment, thereby providing a golden opportunity to India for fuelling its growth story.” Speaking about the opportunities and challenges, he further added, “India is a vibrant economy of the world, it is trusted by other countries, has the biggest knowledge pool, a high demand of bio products and a reasonably good infrastructure, and these factors provide huge opportunities to India. On the other hand, resource identification, utilization and permits, strengthening skills and technologies, market funding, industrial funding and infrastructure are some of the major challenges which India faces, in this area. “Bio Tech-nomy” will help in healing, fuelling, feeding and securing the world by providing a sustainable environment and enhancing the quality of life.”
During the 108th Indian Science Congress, Dr. Sunita Rattan, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology and Director, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, delivered a talk on ‘Polymer Nanocomposites: Synthetic Strategies and their influence on Properties’, in Physical Sciences Section of 108th Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA). Prof. Rattan emphasized that the dominating factor in development of nanocomposites and realising the properties of the nanocomposites is the interface between the matrix and the filler. The interface controls the degree of interaction between filler and polymer and thus defines the mechanical and electrical properties of the polymer nanocomposites. Dr. Rattan discussed various strategies for the preparing the nanocomposites with homogeneously dispersed nanofillers with high density of the interfaces. The applications of the prepared nanocomposites through novel strategies as chemiresistive sensors for organic vapours were also discussed along with the importance of the sensors for disease diagnosis by human breath. Prof. Rattan also Chaired a session in the Physical Science Section.
Dr. Kiran Bajaj, Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University delivered an invited talk on “Modified Peptide Ligation Strategies and their Applications”. During her talk, Dr. Kiran Bajaj discussed about the novel methods of peptide synthesis and elaborated on the research based on Tryptophane, Phenyl alanine-based peptide ligation methods. Further aziridine based peptide ligation method development was shared by her, along with their application in various peptide synthesis. She also presented Fluorescent based peptide synthesis along with their cell permeability studies and photophysical studies.
Expressing extreme pleasure and pride on the humungous representation of Amity at the prestigious 108th Indian Science Congress-2023, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Education Group, averred, “It is a matter of immense pride and pleasure for Amity that two of its eminent scientists have been invited as Panelists to the highly prestigious Indian Science Congress. Amity, with its strong focus on research and innovation, has created a benchmark in the educational sector, not only in India but in the entire world. It is Amity’s commitment to the nation to prepare great scientists and researchers who can lead the nation, thereby contributing to economic and scientific development of the country and the world.”
Amity University Uttar Pradesh has been credited with filing of more than 1835 patents in the areas of Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Biosensors, Herbal, Software, IT, Photovoltaic, Electronics, Microbiology etc. The Indian Intellectual Property Office under the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, has recognized Amity’s extraordinary achievements in the area of research and innovation by selecting Amity University for National Intellectual Property Award – 2020, recognizing Amity University as ‘Top Indian Academic Institution for Patents & Commercialization’. The scientists and researchers of Amity University pursue research activities tirelessly, and publish their work in reputed, peer-reviewed refereed journals. Over 30,000 research publications such as research papers, articles, books/ chapters in journals such as The Lancet, Cell, ACS, Oxford Journals, Nature Publishing group, RSC Advances, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Elsevier, Wiley Publishing. Amity faculty have developed over 3500 case studies referred which have been referred by leading institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Stanford, amongst others.
