Three hundred and fifty postgraduate students and research scholars in chemical sciences participated in a National Seminar on Advances in Chemical Sciences organised by the Department of Chemistry in the School of Advanced Sciences (SAS) of the Vellore Institute of Technology in association with the Royal Society of Chemistry, London at the VIT campus here recently.

The Royal Society of Chemistry, London has been encouraging research projects in chemical sciences, conducting seminars, conferences and training workshops in chemical sciences, publishing research journals and conducting science educational programmes on atomic research and satellites in different countries for the last 200 years. 

Dr. Peter Sadler, Professor of Chemistry, Warwick University inaugurated the seminar and delivered the keynote address. Dr. Sandhya Penta Reddy, Executive Director, VIT presided over the inaugural function. Dr. A. Mary Saral, Dean, SAS welcomed the gathering. Dr. R. Vijayaraghavan, Professor of Chemistry explained the objectives of the seminar. Dr. Rajesh Parishwad, India representative of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London briefed on the history and achievements of the Society. 

The scholars and professors who participated in the seminar spoke on cures for cancer, artificial limbs, organic chemical production, catalysts for pollution-free environment and modern alchemy. Dr.S.L. Manju, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, SAS, VIT proposed a vote of thanks