24th Kerala Science Congress at Kottayam during 29th to 31st January 2012

    The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) as the umbrella organization of the research establishments in the State, organizes the annual Kerala Science Congress in its effort to take stock of significant research developments during the year, to revitalize R&D in the state and to identify new talents in scientific research in Kerala. The 24th session of the Kerala Science Congress (KSC) will be organized by KSCSTE in association with the Rubber Board at Kottayam during 29th to 31st January 2012. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala Shri.OommenChandy will inaugurate the Science Congress at 9:30 am on 29th January, 2012. The venue of the 24th Kerala Science Congress will be the Rubber Research Institute, near Kottayam. The special theme for the 24th Kerala Science Congress is “Climate

      Change and Plantation Crops & Spices of Kerala”. The special theme will specifically consider the challenges and opportunities of climate change with particular thrust on its implications on Plantation Crops and Spices. The impact of climate change in the form of climate variability like floods and droughts could adversely affect spices and plantation crops to a large extent and thus there is an urgent need to adapt crop management, crop improvement and crop protection strategies in tune with projected climate change scenarios so as to mitigate the ill effects of weather aberrations and sustain their production in ensuing decades. The productivity of spices and plantation crops is largely dependent on the environment factors especially in different agro-ecological regions of Kerala. The total annual rainfall and its distribution, temperature and solar radiation are the most influential environmental factors governing their yield. Further, environmental factors are responsible for the development of seasonal quality (flavour) in some regions in Kerala. It is also a known fact that pest and disease incidence is related to the weather pattern. Therefore, temperature rise, increase in ambient carbon dioxide concentration and extreme rainfall events (heavy rainfall and drought) brought about by climate change (global warming) can affect production and quality of crops through the influence of these factors on carbohydrate assimilation, respiration, evapotranspiration, pest and disease infestation, drought and flood incidence and soil degradation. Eminent experts in the field will lead deliberations on the special theme.

      There will be a panel discussion exclusively on “Science Communication and Journalism”. Science journalism is the key to the real treasure of the scientific knowledge, by virtue of which scientific knowledge and concepts could be carried to the common man. The real need for effective science communication to bring awareness and to inculcate scientific temper in common man has encouraged the KSCSTE to organize a panel discussion on the subject. The discussion would essentially concentrate on the trends now emerging in Kerala given the efforts, the slackness in quality and moves to improve it, the plurality of mass media, and a sound science and technology base of the State; through an in-depth discussion it is intended at furthering the cause of science communication and scientific temper.

      Further, there is a special session on the cutting edge research areas in science and technology and their implications on Kerala’s development. This scientific session will provide wide opportunities for intensive exchange of ideas on emerging trends in the fields of frontier areas of Science & Technology. The core science session will not only update on the current status of science and technology and new developments, but also in particular, consolidate and develop its understanding and application in frontier areas at a higher level.

      Another attraction is the opportunity for interaction to Post Graduate Students in the 24th Kerala Science Congress. From this year onwards, the Kerala Science Congress will have a special session to facilitate the interaction of bright Post Graduate Students with aptitude in research, with eminent, senior and young scientists to create the research interest and to share the experience. Those who interested are requested may apply online. The selected students will be entitled for actual travel fare, stay, seminar materials and food.

      As part of the Science Congress, there will be three memorial lectures in honour of S&T visionaries of the State, viz., Prof. P.R. Pisharoty, Dr. P.T. Bhaskara Panicker and Dr. P.K. Gopalakrishnan. Shri. K.M. Chandrasekhar, Vice Chairman, State Planning Board is invited for Shri.P.K. Gopalakrishnan memorial lecture, Dr. Shilesh Naik, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest is invited for Shri.P.R.Pisharoti memorial lecture and Prof.M.S.Swaminathan is invited for Prof.P.T.Bhsaskara Panikkar memorial lecture.

      The other events proposed for the Kerala Science Congress include presentation of research papers and poster presentations in 12 different science subject areas by the State level winners of Children’s Science Congress etc. Contributions of more than 500 scientific research papers are expected and selected papers will be presented in the Science Congress. Young Scientist Award will be presented to the best paper in each of twelve subject areas to encourage young scientific talent. The Young Scientist Award Winners in all the 12 subject areas will get Certificates and Cash award of Rs.25,000 each and a contingent grant of Rs.1,00,000 to carry out research in their chosen areas. Also there will be awards for Best Poster presentations in the designated 12 subject areas. The National level winners of the Children’s Science Congress will be felicitated and given opportunity to present their project works before the scientific forum.