                          NATIONAL   SEMINAR   ON   SPACE   SCIENCE
                                                  CHANDRAYAAN
                                                      (NSSC   2008)

                   In connection with the Silver Jubilee Celeberations of Mahatma Gandhi University, our college is hosting  a National Seminar on Space Science   - Chandrayaan   - (NSSC- 2008). The participants included eminent   scientists from ISRO Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore, Professors, Research Scholars and Students from  various institutes/ universities and colleges.

                 Objectives of the Seminar
               1. To provide useful insight to researchers working in various colleges/ universities under the discipline of    Space Science.
               2. To give proper awareness to student community regarding the ISRO's prestigious mission   CHANDRAYAAN.
               3. To attract highly talented students to participate in research activities of ISRO.
                4. To create a common platform for young scientists,researchers and talented students to unravel the new frontiers of Space Science

REPORT

As a part of The Mahatma Gandhi University's silver jubilee celebrations the college was offered and decided to conduct a National Seminar on Space Science - Chandrayaan in association with ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram. An advisory committee and a local organizing committee was constituted for the smooth conduct of the seminar. The advisory committee included Prof. R. Prasannakumar, Secretary, NSS Colleges' Central Committee, Changanacherry, Dr. P. Sreekumar, Head, ISAC, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, Dr. C. Venugopal, Director, SPAP, M.G. University, Prof. G. Renuka, Head, Dept. of Physics, University of Kerala, Dr. L. Godfrey, Head Dept. of Physics, CUSAT, Kochi. Local organizing committee comprised Prof. C.R. Indira, Principal in Charge as Chairperson, Sr. K. Radhakrishnan as Convener and Dr. K. Unnikrishnan as Secretary. Committee included teachers from all departments.

The two day seminar was inaugurated on 05-09-2008 (Thursday) by Adv. P.K. Narayana Panicker, Hon'ble General Secretary of Nair Service Society. Dr. Jancy James Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University presided over the function. Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Hon'ble Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum was the chief guest. Dr. S. Sujatha (Reader, Dept. of English) introduced the seminar and Prof. C.R. Indira, Prof in charge of Principal, welcomed the gathering. Dr.Sr. Suma Rose, CMC, Principal, Assumption College, Changanacherry and Sri. K.R. Chandramohanan Nair, Secretary, College Council gave their felicitations. Sri. K. Radhakrishnan, Convener of the seminar thanked the gathering.

The two invited talks of the day included the keynote address by Dr.K. Radhakrishnan, Director, VSSC, Trivandrum and Dr. P. Sreekumar, Head ISAC, ISRO Satellite Centre,Bangalore. There was an interactive session between the Director, VSSC and Higher Secondary School students and students from various colleges. Afternoon session and forenoon session of 05-09-2008 were devoted to paper presentations. The papers from various universities and institutes included that from EGRL, IIG, Thirunelveli and Delhi University. 17 papers were presented . Papers were presented posterwise also.

The invited talks on second day (5-9-2008) included those of Dr. C. Venugopal, Director, SPAP, MG University, Dr. Sudha Ravindran, Head, IMP, Space Physics Lab, VSSC, Dr. Achut Sankar S. Nair, Director Centre for Bio Informatics, University of Kerala. Validictory function was attended by Prof. R. Prasannakumar, Secretary, NSS Colleges' Central Committee, Changanacherry and Dr. Achut Sankar S. Nair, Director Centre for Bio Informatics, University of Kerala. Best paper awards were presented to Mr. Tiju Joseph Mathew of University of Kerala, Ms. Jyothi S. and Remya Ramanan of Mahatma Gandhi University.

There were about 150 participants which included scientists, teachers, research scholars from inside and outside Kerala.

Certificates were distributed to all participants on the concluding day.

The organizing committee is thankful to the college Management, Registrar, Mahatma Gandhi University including the Silver Jubilee Section of the Mahatma Gandhi University for their invaluable help.

K. Radhakrishnan, ,NSS H College, Convener.