Three-Day International Conference On Transdisciplinary Scientific Research Kicks Off At Cachar College

The inaugural session of the International Conference on Transdisciplinary Approaches in Contemporary Scientific Research (ICTACSR 2025) was held on Thursday afternoon (November 6) at Cachar College, Silchar. The three-day international conference, organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Cachar College, brings together scientists, academicians, industry experts, and policymakers from seven countries. The conference aims to promote collaboration between diverse disciplines of science, technology, and society to address contemporary global challenges.

The conference, which started on November 6, will continue till November 8 at the newly built smart classroom of the college, and is sponsored by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Climate Cell, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), the Science and Technology Department, Government of Assam and State Bank of India.

The inaugural session began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by dignitaries, followed by the Cachar College anthem. The event was chaired by Dr Apratim Nag, while Dr Joybrata Nath, Organising Secretary, delivered the welcome address, introducing the theme and structure of the conference. Dr Nath highlighted that this year’s conference has drawn 381 participants from seven countries — including the USA, France, Israel, South Korea, and Thailand — featuring 24 invited speakers and 216 abstract submissions, leading to 156 oral and 37 poster presentations across seven thematic sessions.

The Patron of the conference, Dr Parthankar Choudhury, in his address, underlined the significance of transdisciplinary collaboration. “The future of science depends not only on scientists and conservationists but also on policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities,” he said. “Our survival in a rapidly changing world will depend on our ability to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines to create sustainable solutions.”

The Chief Guest, Prof Swapan Kumar Datta, NASI Distinguished Professor (Honorary) at Swami Vivekananda University, Kolkata, and Founder Vice-Chancellor of Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay, Bolpur, delivered the keynote address on “Impact of Biotech Innovations to Address the Sustainability of Ecosystem, Climate and Food Security.” A globally respected geneticist and academic leader, Prof Datta elaborated on the interconnectedness of biology and biotechnology with environmental and social challenges. “All biological life forms are of single-cell origin. Now you may ask, what did God do then? God created cells, and cells are doing everything. This is how we can solve that argument,” he quipped in his welcome address, drawing laughter from the audience. He further explained how gene sequencing, biotechnology, and agricultural innovations are transforming the fight against hunger, diseases and climate instability.

Padmashri Dr Ravi Kannan, Director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, attended as the Guest of Honour. In his speech, he drew a parallel between healthcare and transdisciplinary science. “Life itself is transdisciplinary. Biology has chemistry; chemistry depends on physics, and physics is rooted in mathematics. Even in healthcare, there are multiple disciplines at work — from science to economics and politics”.

“Most of our patients are daily wage earners. When they visit the hospital, it impacts their income and livelihood. Healthcare is not just medical — it’s socio-economic,” added the distinguished oncologist. He urged Cachar College to encourage interdisciplinary and socially relevant research in upcoming theses and academic projects.

Dr Ashok Kumar Sen, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) of Assam University and an astrophysicist, also spoke on the occasion, remarking that “the transdisciplinary approach comes naturally to humankind — it is how curiosity evolves into innovation.”

Dr Maxim Khlopov, Director of the Virtual Institute of Astroparticle Physics, Paris, France, joined virtually and addressed the gathering on the importance of collaborative global science in understanding cosmic and quantum phenomena that link physics, cosmology, and biology.

Representing the corporate sector, Mr Diwakar Prasad from the State Bank of India attended as a Special Guest. He assured SBI’s continued support for academic development, research initiatives, and educational collaborations.

The Convenor of the conference, Dr Mukul Kumar Baruah, who also serves as the Coordinator of IQAC, Cachar College, expressed gratitude to the participating institutions and speakers. He mentioned that such an event was possible only because of the dedication of the faculty and students who worked “round the clock” to make the international conference a success.

Delivering the Chairperson’s address, Dr Apratim Nag reflected on the historic significance of Cachar College and its journey since India’s independence. “When India gained freedom on August 15, 1947, many people were displaced due to Partition. Refugee families came to Silchar seeking rehabilitation. When it came to education, Gurucharan College was the only college back then. Demand for another higher centre of learning was arising, and Cachar College was established through the relief fund to serve those who had lost everything. Initially, classes were held at night so that people working during the day could study after work. In some families, if the son studied during the day, the parents studied at night. That was the contribution of Cachar College to education and human resilience of this valley,” he narrated eloquently.

He further added that in the 1970s and 1980s, the college began private postgraduate courses to meet the growing educational demand of the valley, paving the way for higher education before Assam University came into being in 1994. He also highlighted the hurdles the organising committee went through to pull such a conference of an international scale.

The release of the Abstract Book by the dignitaries marked another highlight of the inauguration. The publication contains selected abstracts from researchers across India and abroad, showcasing ongoing studies in fields such as biotechnology, astrophysics, climate science, artificial intelligence, and social sciences.

The inaugural day concluded with a note of optimism about fostering collaboration across scientific and social domains. The sessions over the next two days will feature plenary lectures, invited talks, and paper presentations under seven major themes, including environmental sustainability, data-driven innovation, and health sciences.

The conference will also present awards for Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Presentation to recognise outstanding contributions by young researchers and academicians.

The organisers believe that ICTACSR 2025 will not only strengthen Cachar College’s legacy of academic excellence but also position Silchar as a hub of global scientific dialogue on transdisciplinary research.

The conference will continue till November 8 at the smart classroom of Cachar College.