BHUBANESWAR, OCT 21
The prestigious 9th International Congress & Exhibition on Arsenic in the Environment was inaugurated today at KIIT-DU, gathering over 100 international delegates and 300 participants, including scientists from 50 countries.
Prof. John Cherry, Professor Emeritus of Hydrogeology at the University of Waterloo, Canada, and the chief guest, emphasized the complexities of groundwater management, stating, “Groundwater is one of the most complicated elements of our environment, and the arsenic crisis results from humanity’s own failures.” He urged vigilance and innovation to tackle these pressing challenges.
He praised the organization of the conference, noting its diverse scientific specialties and commended KIIT University as “an amazing creation by Prof. Achyua Samanta,” calling it a role model for the world despite its relatively recent establishment.
The congress also featured Prof. Abhijit Mukherjee, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee from IIT Kharagpur, who stressed the importance of water in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDs). “Water is the central pillar of all SDGs, and by 2030, we aim to accomplish these targets,” he stated.
Prof. Prosun Bhattacharya from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, and the Organizing Chair of the event, underscored the global scope of the conference: “This platform allows us to address an urgent environmental challenge and exchange diverse ideas,” he said, highlighting participation from delegates from Sweden, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and India.
The Vice-Chancellor of KIIT, Prof. Saranjit Singh, noted the congress’s relevance in light of emerging challenges related to water contamination.
Prof. Dipankar Saha, a former member of the Central Ground Water Board, highlighted India’s position as the largest extractor of groundwater, with 250 cubic kilometers extracted annually, warning that groundwater contamination and depletion remain serious concerns for the country.
At the inaugural ceremony, the International Society of Groundwater for Sustainable Development (ISGSD) conferred Honorary Lifetime Membership upon Prof. Achyuta Samanta, the Founder of KIIT and KISS, recognizing his contributions to education and environmental sustainability. KIIT was also honoured with the Green Campus Award 2024 for its outstanding green initiatives.
In his address, Prof. Samanta emphasized the significance of the congress, stating, “Water contamination is a serious issue, and pollution levels are high, yet India continues to progress. However, the burden on future generations will be immense.”
During the event, the Centre for Water Research and Climate Change at KIIT was inaugurated. KIIT Registrar, Prof. JR Mohanty, remarked that the center aligns with KIIT’s dedication to addressing water scarcity and climate change through academic excellence, practical applications, and collaborations with policymakers and industry.
