NISER Bhubaneswar is hosting national Conference on “Science, Technology and Society
Bhubaneswar: National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar is hosting the national Conference on “Science, Technology and Society” and the Research Committee meeting of the Indian Sociological Society (ISS). The primary objective of the national seminar is to enable systematic and cross-disciplinary discussions related to science, technology, and society.
The two-days long seminar includes presentation and discussion on issues in scientific and technological development and its relation to society, fostering interdisciplinary conversations about contemporary issues in Science and Technology that are socially relevant. The seminar kicked off on 22nd July amidst a modest inaugural session chaired by Prof. Sujata Patel, the President of the prestigious Indian Sociological Society. Dr Ambika Prasand Nanda, the CSR Head of TATA Steel was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Prof. Paramjit Singh Judge, the Managing Editor of Sociological Bulletin graced the inaugural session as the Guest of Honour. Prof. Sudhakar Panda, Officiating Diretor of NISER delivered the welcome address emphasizing the need for uninterrupted efforts to foster Society-Interface and creating social meaningful scientific knowledge.
Prof. Pranay Swain, the Chairperson of the School of HSS and the Organizing Secretary described the objectives of the conference and hoped that the two-days long event will touch upon transition for scientific developments to technological developments and impacts of technological development on various aspects of society; ethics and human values, social issues, environmental concerns, and government policy; Social problem solving of Science and Technology, digital Society, e-governance, science communication and international competition.
The Inaugural session was followed by the plenary talk by Prof Bedangadas Mohanty of NISER who narrated a panaromic view of the Social Landscape from a Physicist’s point of view. The technical sessions are being driven by many eminent Social Scientists from various reputed Universities and Institutes like: IIM Calcutta, IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, TISS Mumbai, Central University of Gujrat and North Bihar, Lucknow University, Calcutta University, Central University of Allahabad, University of Hyderabad, etc. Prof. E Haribabu, former Dean and VC of University of Hyderabad is scheduled to deliver the valedictory address on 23 July 2017. As told by Prof Panay Swain. at the sidelines of the conference, NISER is also hosting the annual meeting of the Research Conveners and Management Committee of the Indian Sociological Society.