Silchar: The international conference on “Trans-disciplinary Approaches in Contemporary Scientific Research” (ICTACSR 2025) began at Cachar College on Thursday, drawing together eminent scholars, researchers, and scientists from across India and abroad. The event marks a significant milestone for the institution, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation and collaborative research across diverse academic disciplines.

Sponsored by the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) and the Assam National Research Foundation (ANRF), the three-day conference is being held in hybrid mode to facilitate participation from global experts.

The inaugural session was attended by an impressive lineup of guests. Chief guest Prof. Swapan Kumar Datta, NASI Distinguished Professor at Swami Vivekananda University, Kolkata, and former Vice Chancellor of Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, shared his insights on the growing relevance of transdisciplinary approaches in contemporary science.

This was his first visit to Silchar, and he commended the college’s initiative, describing transdisciplinary research as “a fascinating field that encourages integration of knowledge across domains.”

Guests-of-honour included Padma Shri Dr. Ravi Kannan R, Director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Silchar; Prof. Maxim Khlopov, Director of the Virtual Institute of Astroparticle Physics, Paris, who joined virtually; Dr. Asoke Kumar Sen, senior professor at the Department of Physics, Assam University; Dibakar Prasad, Regional Manager, SBI; Prof. Parthankar Choudhury, President of the Governing Body of Cachar College; Dr. Mukul Kumar Baruah, IQAC Coordinator and seminar convener; and Dr. Joyobrata Nath, Organising Secretary.

In his address, Dr. Kannan spoke on the deep interconnections among various branches of science. He explained that biology rests on chemistry, chemistry on physics, and physics on mathematics—illustrating how life itself is inherently transdisciplinary. He also discussed artificial intelligence and its growing role in healthcare, the economic dimensions of medical systems, and the links between education, livelihood, and health. He urged participants to submit research papers that reflect such interdisciplinary thinking.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Joyobrata Nath expressed gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and supporters, and announced the introduction of a Best Presentation Award to encourage innovative research. Dr. Mukul Kumar Baruah thanked all sponsors and collaborators for their contributions to the success of the event.

Prof. Parthankar Choudhury, President of the College Governing Body, observed that the term transdisciplinary is steadily gaining recognition in academia and called for educational institutions to adopt this approach despite the inherent challenges. Dr. Asoke Kumar Sen lauded the organisers for their dedication and effective coordination.

A booklet containing all the research abstracts was released during the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Apratim Nag, who joined Cachar College on June 30, reflected on the preparatory meeting held on April 16 and the collective efforts that went into organising the conference. He acknowledged the financial support of former KKHSOU coordinator Dr. Shankar Sharma, who contributed Rs. 50,000, and the State Bank of India, which provided Rs. 1 lakh. Dr. Nag also spoke about the rich legacy and transformative journey of Cachar College, highlighting its role in shaping the educational and cultural fabric of Barak Valley.

Dibakar Prasad also shared his reflections on the occasion.

The conference will continue with technical sessions on November 7 and 8 from 9 am to 5 pm. A cultural programme will be held on November 7, and the valedictory session is scheduled for November 8 at 5.15 pm.

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