The premises of the Andhra University has been decked up, as the varsity prepares to host the five-day Andhra Pradesh Science Congress, to begin on November 7.
Speaking to The Hindu, AU Vice-Chancellor Professor G Nageswara Rao said that both the Andhra Pradesh Science Congress (APSC) would be inaugurated by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on November 7, at the University's convocation hall.
The VC added that over 600 delegates from around the world and about 100 senior professors and scientists were expected to attend the event, where around 60 lectures would be delivered.
“The Science Congress will have a special event to motivate children towards science and will have interaction with renowned scientists,” the VC had earlier said.
This would be the third edition of the Science Congress, hosted by the Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences (APAS), with the theme ‘Green Technologies for Transformation and Sustainable Development’.
Last year, Andhra Pradesh also hosted the Indian Science Congress (ISC) at the Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) in Tirupati.
The last few editions of the ISC have attracted criticism for mixing science with mythology.
In the 2015 edition in Mumbai, two scientists jointly presented a paper, claiming that the aircraft was invented in India during the Vedic age, dating back to 1500-500 BC.
At the same conference, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, without backing his claim with evidence, had said that India had given the world algebra and the Pythagoras's Theorem.
During the 103rd edition of the event held in Mysuru last year, (ISCA) general secretary Arun Kumar said that they would stick to the basic or applied science and keep out mythology.
However, even then, the event was not without controversy.
While one senior IAS officer presented a paper on "Blowing of shankh (conch) - an indigenous tradition for fitness and wellness", another guest planned to present a paper on "Lord Shiva: As the Greatest Environmentalist in the World".