Displaying the Power of Nanoscience
The University of Kashmir hosted one of the most significant global gatherings in nanoscience, as a five-day international conference Nanotechnology for Better Living (NBL-2025) that concluded with resounding success. Organised by the Department of Nanotechnology from September 7–11, the event brought together more than 200 delegates and over 50 invited speakers from leading institutions in India and abroad, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue, discovery, and collaboration.
The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor of the University, who, in his address, underlined the transformative potential of nanoscience. “Nanotechnology must be harnessed responsibly to deliver real-world solutions,” he remarked, stressing that it is no longer confined to laboratories but is shaping healthcare, energy, environment and everyday life. Hon’ble LG called upon the scientific community to accelerate innovation while ensuring ethical responsibility and highlighted the importance of translating conference deliberations into actionable initiatives for disaster management, regenerative medicine & medical technology, and building a robust science–entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Professor Nilofer Khan echoed these sentiments during the inaugural, calling NBL-2025 “a step toward building a collaborative ecosystem where knowledge is translated into tangible societal benefits”. Organizing chair & Head department of Nanotechnology, Prof. Rabia Hamid in her welcome address highlighted the aims and scope of the conference. Vote of thanks was presented by Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar University of Kashmir and conference proceedings were conducted by Prof. Wasim Bari, Director South Campus, University of Kashmir.
The scientific sessions that followed over five days offered participants a rare opportunity to hear from some of the brightest minds in the field. Among them was an eminent scientist and innovator, Professor Praveen K. Vemula (inStem–DBT, Bengaluru), whose keynote talk focused on developing chemical technologies to address unmet clinical needs. He illustrated how chemical biology platforms are being harnessed to design smart therapies against drug-resistant infections and neglected diseases. His emphasis on research translation struck a chord with both academic and industry participants. Healthcare innovation remained a recurring theme throughout the conference. Professor Ashok Kumar (IIT Kanpur), an eminent scientist and National representative in his keynote talk shared his research on bioengineering nanomaterials for advanced healthcare, demonstrating how engineered biomaterials are being developed for regenerative medicine and targeted drug delivery.
Professor Abhijit Majumdar (IIT Bombay) captivated audiences with his presentation on Organ-on-Chip technologies, describing them as the future of personalised healthcare where tiny devices mimic the functions of human organs for more ethical and effective drug testing. Dr. Aravind Kumar Rengan (IIT Hyderabad) contributed further to the biomedical dimension by highlighting biodegradable nanosystems for theranostics, a fusion of diagnostics and therapy designed to revolutionise cancer treatment. Prof. Nooruddin Khan (UoH), delivered a talk Nanovaccinology through Outer Membrane Vesicle (OMVs) Engineering.
Equally exciting was the keynote lecture by Professor Mohammad Mobin (AMU, H.V.C, Cluster University, Srinagar), who presented nanotechnology-driven strategies for sustainable corrosion inhibitors. His work, rooted in industrial and environmental applications, shed light on how nanomaterials could reduce maintenance costs and enhance the durability of critical infrastructure. Clean energy and sustainable solutions also featured prominently. Professor C. Subramaniam (IIT Bombay) inspired audiences with his talk on Bottling sunlight, presenting novel methods of harnessing solar energy for water purification and heating, particularly relevant for rural communities and space exploration. Professor Prem Pal (IIT Hyderabad), meanwhile, introduced innovations in MEMS-based vibration energy harvesters, explaining how these miniature systems could generate power for low-energy electronics such as wearable devices and sensors.
Electronics and material science were well represented. Professor Ravi Kumar (NIT Hamirpur) discussed p-type transparent conducting and dilute magnetic oxides, materials expected to play a pivotal role in next-generation optoelectronic devices. Professor Satyabrata Jit (IIT-BHU) spoke about nanostructured metal oxides for sensing applications, offering insights into devices that could revolutionise both health and environmental monitoring. Professor Manish K. Niranjan (IIT Hyderabad) delved into the theoretical landscape, explaining emergent phenomena in nanoscale heterojunction devices and how quantum-level properties can open new avenues in computing and energy technologies. Adding to the fundamental science track, Professor Abir De Sarkar (INST Mohali) delivered insights into inversion symmetry breaking in 2D materials, piezoelectricity, and spin-orbitronics, opening a fascinating window into quantum-scale materials and their future device applications.
The conference also featured a strong international presence, adding global depth to its deliberations. Professor Lucia Gemma Delogu (University of Padua, Italy) delivered a keynote on nanomedicine and immunology, while Dr. Shabir Hassan (Khalifa University, UAE) gave an invited talk on Lab-made tissues and organs with some science, engineering, and a bit of magic.” Dr. Padmini Pandey (Chung-Ang University, South Korea) presented her latest advances in lead-free wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells, aimed at boosting efficiency while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Prof. Bushra Ateeq (IIT-K) provided insights into molecular maps of malignancy and how unravelling genomic complexity could be used for tailored cancer therapies. An industry–academia session, was also chaired by her, which brought into focus the vital question of commercialisation. Dr. Suphiya Khan’s (Industrial partner DBDI) address on “The Art of Commercialisation: Bridging Academia, Industry, and Society” emphasised how academia can work with industry to ensure that research finds practical application, stimulated a lively debate among participants.
In the plenary session Professor B. S. Murty, an eminent scientist and Director IIT Hyderabad delivered a talk on the exciting world at the bottom and announced signing of MoU between IIT-H and UoK. The signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Kashmir and IIT Hyderabad was the highlight of the Valedictory function. MoU was signed by Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Professor Nilofer Khan and Director IIT Hyderabad, Professor B. S. Murty, in presence of Professor Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Academics UoK, Professor Prem Pal, Dean Administration UoH, Organizing Committee members, Prof. Rabia Hamid, Prof. Manish K. Niranjan, Dr. Tariq Maqbool, Prof. Ghulam Nabi, Dr. Javaid A. Sheikh, Dr. Faheem Arjamend, Dr. Ajaz A Dar, Dr. Gulzar A Bhat, and other faculty members of UoK and IIT-H. Prof. Manzoor A. Malik, Dean, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences UoK, Prof. Ajaz A. Dar Head, Department of Chemistry UoK and Dr. Altaf Bhat, Coordinator CIRI UoK, also graced the occasion. This landmark MoU sets the stage for long-term academic collaboration and joint research between IIT-H and UoK.
This agreement envisions joint projects in emerging scientific domains, student and faculty exchange programs, shared infrastructure, and innovation-driven commercialisation. Professors Rabia Hamid (University of Kashmir) and Manish K. Niranjan (IIT Hyderabad) will coordinate activities under the MoU.
The conference also served as a platform for young researchers and students, with poster and oral presentations judged by an expert jury. These sessions saw vibrant participation, and the award ceremony recognised exceptional contributions. First position in poster presentations was awarded to Ibtisam Mumtaz (University of Kashmir), Zulfiqar Ali Sarkar (IIT Bombay), and Farheen Shaukat (IIIM Jammu). In the oral category, Vishal Nagar (IIT Jammu) secured the top spot. These recognitions celebrated the originality and talent of young scientists, reinforcing NBL-2025’s role as a nurturing ground for future innovators.
In her presidential address on Valedictory, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan congratulated the organisers and participants for the successful conduct of NBL-2025. She expressed great satisfaction over the conference outcomes & deliverables, and emphasised the importance of taking the recommendations to the next level through collaborative initiatives. This, she stated, would include the formation of a working group of experts from diverse areas to provide nanotechnology-driven solutions for disaster management and medicine and also help in establishing the science–entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. Pertinently, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha, while inaugurating the conference on September 7, had expressed his desire for such initiatives.
Professor B. S. Murty lauded the scientific rigour of the conference and described the MoU as “a bridge for shared growth, discovery, and impact.” In the Valedictory Function, the members of the organising committee were also felicitated for their efforts. Professor Rabia Hamid, Organising Chair and Head of the Department of Nanotechnology, presented the conference report, summarising the intellectual richness of the five-day event. Professor Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean of Academics, and other dignitaries offered reflections on the conference outcomes. Prof. G. Nabi from the Department of Physics UoK, presented a vote of thanks, where he thanked Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan, Worthy Director IIT-H, Professor B. S. Murty for their leadership & vision, all the officials of the UoK and the members of the organising committee of UoK and IIT-H for their unwavering support in making this conference a great success.
Lastly, the participants reflected on what the conference had achieved: not only a celebration of cutting-edge science but also a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and societal responsibility. For the University of Kashmir, the event marked a milestone in positioning itself as a hub for advanced research, while for the broader scientific community, it signalled the beginning of new partnerships and pathways.
NBL-2025 ended not as a conclusion but as a promise—that the power of nanoscience, when combined with collaboration and vision, can indeed lead to better living.
Prof. Rabia Hamid, Organizing Chair & Head Department of Nanotechnology
Dr. Tariq Maqbool, Sr. Assistant Professor, Department of Nanotechnology
Prof. Ghulam Nabi Dar, Department of Physics, University of Kashmir
