GIAN course on ‘Air Quality Modeling: Theory and Practices’
Aligarh : Simulations of how air pollutants disperse and react in the atmosphere to affect ambient air quality were explained to the participants in the five-day Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) course of the Department of Civil Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on ‘Air Quality Modeling: Theory and Practices’.
The International faculty for the course, Prof Ashok Kumar (University of Toledo, OHIO USA) provided students with the understanding of using air quality models and numerical techniques to simulate the physical and chemical processes that affect air pollutants.
IIT Kanpur Professor, Dr Mukesh Sharma, who was the National faculty of the course, discussed how models are designed to characterise primary pollutants that are emitted directly into the atmosphere and, in some cases, secondary pollutants that are formed as a result of complex chemical reactions within the atmosphere.
In the valedictory function, Prof Mohammad Gulrez (AMU Pro Vice Chancellor) said: “I am sure this course has provided the participant students with a collaborative learning process and opportunities to share their ideas with subject experts”.
The valedictory function Chief Guest, Mr Gaurav Dayal (IAS officer and Aligarh Commissioner) spoke on air pollution and climate change.
Prof Altamush Siddiqui (Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, AMU) emphasised: “GIAN courses are offered in niche areas and are very specialised and targeted. Participation in these courses provide the students with an overview of the various aspects of their field and help them to learn about a subject quickly”.
“The course was aimed to tap a talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs to augment the country’s existing academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reforms, and further strengthen India’s scientific and technological capabilities”, Prof Izharul Haq Farooqi (Course Coordinator).
Prof. Izharul Haq Farooqi and Prof Anwar Khursheed (King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) extended the vote of thanks.
Over 40 student participants from IIT Roorkee, MNIT Jaipur, WRI, Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), Netaji Subhash Chand University, Delhi Technical University, Jazan University (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and AMU attended ten theory classes and five tutorial/problem solving sessions covering important aspects of Air Quality Modeling in the course.