Royal Society of Chemistry (London) organizes Yusuf Hamied Chemistry Camp for govt school Students at Doon Varsity
SUNIL NEGI
Dehradun, Feb 17: As many as 71 government school students of class 9, girls and boys, successfully completed a three-day residential Yusuf Hamied Chemistry Camp organised by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC – Cambridge, United Kingdom) at Doon University, Dehradun, here with the support of Tehri MLA Mr Kishore Upadhyay.
All the students belonging to 43 government schools from distant areas of different blocks of Tehri district participated in the camp conducted by experts and academicians of international repute. Experts and students carried a series of exciting chemistry experiments through demonstrations while explaining and learning important principles of chemistry. Most of the experiments focussed on complex principles of chemistry of colours, water, gases and other solid materials etc. though practical, fun-filled and exciting experiments in the laboratories and outside. Professor Uday Maitra from Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, conducted a ‘chemistry magic’ show to the awe and excitement of students.
Doon University Vice Chancellor Prof. Surekha Dangwal stated that the Royal Society of Chemistry organized this camp at Doon University to give exposure to government school students, to provide them an opportunity to explore practical chemistry and inspire them to build their career in chemistry. “Many of our most brilliant minds have come from government schools and I am confident that at least some of these students are going to be the great scientists of the future,” she said. Thanking the RSC and Education Department of the Government of Uttarakhand, she said that chemistry camp was organised as part of the RSC Yusuf Hamied Inspirational Science Programme and that objective has been fulfilled.
Prof. Dangwal emphasised that the Royal Society of Chemistry started organizing such camps in 2014 with the support of Dr. Yusuf Hamied (Non-Executive Chairman of Cipla Limited), and the Doon University Camp is the 57th camp of the society, and the first camp in the state of Uttarakhand.
The inaugural session was addressed by Indian Institute of Petroleum Director Dr H S Bisht, who encouraged the students to be curious about learning science and introduced them to the basics of the wonderful world of chemistry. Prof. Durgesh Pan (Director General, Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology) was the Chief Guest for the valedictory session and invited all the students to UCOST in future from time to time. He said that UCOST is committed to popularise science among people and students in the far flung areas of Uttarakhand. Prof. Pant said that all the students are very happy, confident, enthusiastic and excited after attending the camp. He said that for the students belonging to difficult terrain of Himalayas, this camp provided them a unique exposure.
Upon completion of camp, students from far off villages of Chamba, Naicholi, Moldhar, and Nagni of Tehri Garwal district expressed their their deep sense of satisfaction and desire to attend more camps in future.
Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading chemistry community. It works for the advancement of excellence in the chemical sciences. This society has nearly 50,000 members in the world. It was established in the United Kingdom around 175 years ago. Main focus of this society is to work towards shaping the future of the chemical sciences for the benefit of science and humanity.
He also said that such camps can create a positive impact on the students who belong to the Himalayas. Dr. Arun Kumar, Dr. Charu Dwivedi and Dr. Shivani Verma are the coordinators of this camp. They said that the students performed many interesting and fun experiments in the chemistry laboratories.
Mr. Ajit Sharma, Managing Director, India & South Asia said, “RSC has successfully delivered 56 Yusuf Hamied Chemistry Camps in India as part of this initiative in 23 states in 13 regional languages (including the Indian Sign Language) to over 3000 students at 1000 + schools, mostly from underprivileged backgrounds. Chemistry camps are one of the most unique outreach activities of Royal Society of Chemistry for the students of government schools in India.
Dr. Yusuf Hamied told Dr. Arun Kumar that Cipla company would provide Doon University with fullest backing to encourage and motivate the best students to achieve the knowledge and skills they need to go on to study chemistry at university and, eventually, to make a strong contribution to India’s success.”
