Achyuta Samanta 2nd Odia Indian Science Congress president
Dr Achyuta Samanta has been elected as the general president for the 105th Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) and became second Odia from Odisha to be elected President of the prestigious science body in its 102 years history.
On last occasion, Prof. Prana Krushna Parija, eminent Odia scientist, had officiated as President of the 47th Session of the ISCA in 1960 held in Bombay.
The decision was taken at the end of the 103rd Indian Science Congress. He is the President elected for the year 2016-17 and will assume office for the year 2017-18.
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Reacting to the new feather in his cap, Dr Samanta said: “Now my aim is to popularise the basic and applied science courses in our country. These days, students are getting lured towards engineering and technology and as a result, the basic sciences have taken a big hit. So, my role is now to motivate more and more young minds to pursue basic sciences. The strengthening of basic science courses is directly linked to the development of our country. So, I will personally take interest in motivating students.”
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Dr. Samanta has been the member of Executive Council of ISCA since 2011. He made an example by organizing 99th Session of the Indian Science Congress in 2012, which was held in KIIT University. He has also been the member of many prestigious educational and other national level apex bodies, including UGC (2008-2014), AICTE, National Coir Board, CAPART, NCTE and members of academic councils of two Central Universities. He was the only person from Odisha to be the member of both UGC and AICTE.
Many eminent personalities, including former Prime Ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Manmohan Singh, have held this office in the past.
