The Department of Chemistry NEHU, Shillong inaugurated a three-day International Conference on “Advances in Chemical Sciences – II (ACS-II)” on 24 September, 2025, as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Department scheduled from 24th 26 September, 2025. The conference was attended by one hundred fifty (150) participants and thirty (30) notable experts, both national and international institutions. The opening ceremony took place on September 24, 2025. The event was honored by esteemed attendees such as Prof. S. Umdor (Pro-Vice Chancellor, NEHU), Prof. H. Ila (Guest of Honour), and Prof. R. B. King (University of Georgia) as the special guest and keynote speaker. Prof. Umdor highlighted the importance and relevance of chemistry, the central science which is intricately associated with all the applied sciences.
He concluded with a cautious note on some of necessary evils of chemistry that is contributing to many material pollutions such as plastic. He urged the scientists gathered over the conference to deliberate upon development of sustainable development strategies as mandated by United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Prof. Hlla, one of the funding teachers of the Department and renowned women scientist of India fron Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific Research, Bangalore, shared the memories and activities of the department in its formative years. Prof. A. K. Chandra, Dean of the School of Physical Sciences; Prof. G. Bez, Head of the Department of Chemistry and Prof. R. L. Nonglaw, the convener of the conference welcomed all the participants and described the background of the conference.
About 30 distinguished scientists, including Prof. B. King (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA), Prof. G. Niu (Beijing Institute of Technology, China), Prof. R. Gupta (Delhi University), Prof. S. Bhattacharya (Jadavpur University) from India and abroad are participating in the event. Along with them, about 150 student participants from different parts of India and NE region will take active participation in this three-day event. The conference also features two memorial lectures in the name of Prof. (L) M. K. Chowdhury and Prof. (L) H. Junjappa to commemorate their contribution in the legacy of the Department and advancement of Chemistry as a whole.