Department of Applied Geology, Dibrugarh University has completed its 50 years and to celebrate the glorious 50 years the first Golden Jubilee lecture was organized in honour of Prof. S.K Dutta on 26th November, 2019 sponsored by Dibrugarh University. Prof. Dutta retired as KDM Chair Professor, K. D. Malaviya Chair (sponsored by Oil India Limited, Duliajan), from this department and was a dedicated academician and geoscientist of international reputation, particularly in the field of palaeontology and stratigraphy. He was awarded D.Sc. in Geology by Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh in 1982, the first person from NE India to receive that prestigious highest degree in science.
The event started with the University Anthem. Prof. Ranjit Tamuli, honourable Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University delivered the inaugural speech and expressed happiness that the department has honoured the great contribution of Prof. Dutta to the geosciences and society by organizing the lecture. The conference hall of the department named as Prof. S.K. Dutta Memorial Conference Hall which was unveiled by his wife Mrs. Ratna Dutta. Mrs. Dutta and the family members lit the earthen lamp in honor and memory of Prof. Dutta. Miss Malobika Bora, Assistant Professor of the department introduced Prof. Dutta by reminiscing the glory and works of his life supported by a colourful presentation.
The speakers of the evening were Prof. Tapan Mukerji and Dr. Jiahe Wang from Stanford University, USA. Prof. Tapan Mukerji is a globally renowned expert in the field of Rock Physics and Geostatistics and has published many high-impact research papers and books who spoke on “Geomodeling and Geostatistics for Subsurface characterization and Uncertainty Quantification”, illustrating the significance of geomodeling in Petroleum Exploration, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Characterisation and in understanding the subsurface uncertainty.
Dr. Jiahe Wang did her first Ph.D. in Hydraulics and River Dynamics from Hohai University, China, and her second Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University. She delivered talk on “Numerical simulations of Environmental fluid mechanics”, introducing to the audience some important aspects of fluid dynamics.
After the lectures a colourful Bihu dance was performed by the students of the department in honour of Prof. Mukerji and Dr. Wang. Prof. Kalpana Deka Kalita, HOD proposed vote of thanks expressing her immense gratitude to the guests from Stanford University, USA, representatives from OIL, ONGCL and Schlumberger, Deans of various faculty, Professors from various departments of the university, students from the Departments of Petroleum Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry and Geography and everyone attending the event. Dr. Ratamali Machahary, Assistant Professor of the department anchored the programme.