National Seminar

Report on the Two-Day National Seminar in Chemistry
Exploring the Cosmos, the Crime Scene, and the Cell: A Chemical Odyssey

The Department of Chemistry, M.S.M. College, Kayamkulam, in association with the Academy of Chemistry Teachers and IQAC, successfully organized a two-day National Seminar titled “Exploring the Cosmos, the Crime Scene, and the Cell: A Chemical Odyssey” on February 17 and 18, 2025. This prestigious event was generously sponsored by the Department of Science & Technology – Accelerate Vigyan Research Fellowship (DST-ANRF) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
The program commenced with the blessings of Al Haj P. A Hilal Babu Sir, Chairman of the College Governing Body, setting the stage for an enlightening and intellectually stimulating academic discourse. The inaugural session, held on February 17 at 9:30 AM, was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Muhammed Thaha A., Principal, M.S.M. College, and formally inaugurated by Dr. P. Sujatha Devi, Retired Scientist, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, and an esteemed alumna of the Department of Chemistry.Dr. S. Amina, Educational Secretary and retired Principal of MSM College, conveyed her warmest wishes for the success of the seminar and expressed her optimism that the event would inspire and empower the participants to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. The event witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Anil Kumar K.M., IQAC Coordinator, Mr. Merfin Abdul Kareem, College Union Chairman, and Aditya Gopal, Chemistry Association Secretary, along with former faculty members Prof. S. Vasanthakumari, Prof. Ashaletha, Prof.N Sarala Devi, and Dr. S. Abdul Jabbar, alumni, and students. Dr. Divya V., Vice Principal and Program Coordinator, extended a warm welcome to the gathering, while Dr. Lakshmy M., Program Co-convener, delivered the vote of thanks.
One of the highlights of the seminar was the active participation of former faculty members and alumni, who shared their research experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions with the students, providing valuable insights and inspiration for budding chemists. The presence of retired faculty members was particularly significant as it underscored the institution’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its academic legacy.
The seminar featured a series of scholarly lectures by eminent researchers and academicians from diverse fields of chemistry, covering areas such as astrochemistry, forensic chemistry, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, polymer science, and energy chemistry. The distinguished speakers included:
• Dr. K.G. Sreejalakshmi, Professor, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
• Dr. Poornima Vijayan P., Assistant Professor, S.N. College for Women, Kollam
• Dr. Anas S., Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• Dr. Tressia Elias & Dr. Princi Paulose, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikkara
• Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan, Scientific Officer, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram
• Dr. V.L. Pushpa, Academic Council Member, University of Kerala
• Dr. Anju M. Pillai, Scientist, ISRO, Bengaluru
In addition to the expert talks, the seminar featured research paper and poster presentation competitions, providing a platform for students and young researchers to showcase their innovative work. The winners of the Oral Presentation category were Revathy R.V., Aparna V., and Shameena Majeed, while the Poster Presentation category saw Anagha T.S., Sabari Umesh, Fathima Noushad, Christeena, and Muhsina Mujeeb emerge victorious.
The valedictory session, held on February 18 at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hall, was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Muhammed Thaha A., with Dr. V.L. Pushpa delivering the concluding remarks. Certificates and cash awards were presented to the winners in recognition of their academic excellence. Ms. Anu K., Assistant Professor, delivered the closing address, while Dr. Divya V., Seminar Coordinator, extended her gratitude to all contributors and participants. The event concluded with the rendition of the national anthem.
The seminar provided a dynamic and intellectually enriching platform for researchers, faculty, and students to engage in discussions on cutting-edge research in chemistry. The overwhelming participation and positive feedback from attendees underscored the significance of organizing such events in fostering scientific inquiry and academic collaboration.
Notably, Dr. Sujatha Devi, Retired Scientist, NIIST, expressed her wholehearted support for the research development initiatives of M.S.M. College, reinforcing the institution’s vision of academic excellence and scientific innovation.
The seminar concluded on a highly successful note, with participants advocating for more such research-focused academic events in the future. Under the leadership of the Department of Chemistry and IQAC, this seminar served as a stepping stone for students and researchers to explore new scientific frontiers with confidence and enthusiasm.