On its campus, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata) commemorated its 21st Foundation Day as Institute Open Day.  Approximately 700 students from surrounding schools, colleges, and districts came to IISER Kolkata for a day of scientific inspiration and discovery while taking in the lively academic and research atmosphere. The program’s highlights included insights into state-of-the-art research facilities, interactions with young researchers, students, and professors, fascinating experiments, exhibitions, models, displays, well-attended talks, and poster presentations.

Prof. Gobardhan Das (Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India & Former Director, IISER Bhopal) delivered the Foundation Day lecture titled “Nation Building”. The students were motivated to become powerful architects of a powerful India by his insightful speech.

Dr.Suvrokamal Dutta (Distinguished International Conservative Political, Economic, and Foreign Policy Expert) delivered a talk titled “ Mission Sonar Bangla towards Viksit Bharat 2047”, which genuinely inspired and motivated the many young students who came to the campus.

Prof. Gobardhan Das inaugurated the new Central Instrumentation Facility. Prof. Das engaged with the students in attendance and showed a keen interest in the various scientific exhibits and poster presentations. He praised IISER Kolkata’s efforts for putting together such a well-thought-out event that engages today’s students with the fundamentals of science in an engaging way. For the entire IISER Kolkata fraternity, it was a truly historic occasion. 

Prof. Sunil Kumar Khare, Director, IISER Kolkata, highlighted the importance of making science more accessible to young people and unveiled a bold plan to host such events annually on the occasion of the Institute’s Foundation Day as part of the Institute’s extensive outreach initiatives.

The Director expressed gratitude to Prof. Anirban Banerjee, Associate Dean of International Relations & Outreach, and Prof. Debasish Koley, Dean of International Relations & Outreach, for their unwavering efforts in making the event a huge success.

Priyanka Dutta