Indo-US Workshop concludes at PU

Indo-US Workshop on Safeguarding Dual – Use Chemicals conducted at Panjab University in association with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA ; U.S. Department of State’s Chemical Security Program USA and Gujarat University, India concluded successfully today at Department of SAIF/CIL,PU.

The workshop showcased of a perfect amalgamation of industry and academia. Various vital issues regarding the security concerns were discussed by the team from USA comprising of Dr. Ken Ferguson, Dr. Cliff Glantz and Dr. Radha Kishan. Experts from CSIR-IICT, India; Dr G.V.M Sharma and Prof. K. Ravindranath elaborated further upon this very important issue of safety of weaponizable  chemicals and emphasized upon the need to spread the awareness among the public at large.

Prof V.K. Jain from Gujarat University along with Prof S.K. Mehta proposed to form a minimum document outlining the security norms which should be followed by the Industry for the enhancement of safety. There was a noteworthy contribution by the participants from Bangladesh who further attested the international importance of security enhancements.

The representatives from various industries- Reliance, ONGC, and Panacea Biotec also participated in the workshop and discussed the various problems faced in the industry. Various deliberations and discussions took place all narrowing down to the need to form a document outlining the safety guidelines to be followed by the Indian industries. Prof. Mehta thanked the research/M.Tech students overwhelmingly participating in the workshop.