Issues like air pollution and impacts of climate change featured in a six-day Faculty Development Program organised at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), faculty of engineering and technology of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) here, concluded recently.

 Eminent experts from top academic and research institutions from across the country were the resource persons who deliberated on the subject ‘Sustainable Chemistry for Environmental Protection’ conducted by ITER’s Department of Chemistry which concluded on January 14.

 Dr. Harish Phuleria of IIT Bombay, who was one of the resource persons, focused on the quality of air and popped up the question, “Should we worry about the air we breathe?” Dubbing polluted air as the silent killer, he catalogued recent episodes of air pollution while highlighting the direct and indirect effect of air pollutants on human health.

 Dr. Sasmita Chaurasia from ISRO, Ahmedabad, discussed about the applications of remote sensing to study the impact of climate change and spoke about various techniques of remote sensing and their application in environmental issues.

 Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Nayak, Vice-Chancellor of Ravenshaw University, graced the inaugural function as chief guest while Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SOA, attended as guest of honour.

 The speakers included Prof. (Dr.) Saravanan Pichiah from IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, Prof. (Dr.) Raghunath Acharya from Homi Bhaba National Institute, BARC, Mumbai, Prof. (Dr.) Debabrata Pradhan from IIT, Kharagpur, Dr. Jogendranath Behera from NISER, Bhubaneswar, Prof. (Dr.) R.R. Dash from School of Infrastructure, IIT, Bhubaneswar, Prof. Tarun Kumar Mandal from India Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, Dr. Nihar Ranjan Sahoo from State Pollution Control Board, Odisha and Prof. (Dr.) Kulamani Parida, Director of Centre for Nano Sciences and Nano Technology, SOA.

 The Head of Department of Chemistry, Prof. (Dr.) Sujata Mishra, Convenor of the FDP Prof. (Dr.) Aditya Kishore Dash and Co-convenor, Dr. Abanti Pradhan also spoke.