Join us for a conference dedicated to commemorating the accomplishments of IC-IMPACTS and strategizing the future of collaborations between Canada and India.

About the Conference

The 2024 conference, jointly organized by IC-IMPACTS, Department of Science and Technology (India), and Department of Biotechnology (India), will feature administrative sessions focusing on student mobility, scientific partnerships, and engagements with university presidents, government representatives, and industry stakeholders. Parallel sessions with presentations and project overviews will also be part of the program. IC-IMPACTS students and researchers are encouraged to take part in this conference.

The event will also feature highlights from IC-IMPACTS research projects across Canada and India and how intersections from the Centre’s core themes: Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure, Integrated Water Management, Public Health, and Food Security. 

Organizing Committee

Dr. Vasant Matsagar, Conference Chair

Dr. Vasant Matsagar is currently serving as Professor, Dogra Chair, and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Professor Matsagar is Founding Director and Fellow of the Council of Vibration
Specialists (CVS), and incumbent Vice-President of the Indian Society of Earthquake Technology (ISET). He is also serving on code-development committees in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Indian Roads Congress (IRC), and International Standards Organization (ISO). He is National Coordinator for Civil Engineering and allied subjects in the Swayam-Prabha DTH Channel. Currently, he is serving as a core member of the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) – Civil, Infrastructure, and Transportation Engineering of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Varshney, Conference Co- Chair

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Varshney is a Dehradun based Science facilitator and promoter. He is a Member of the Editorial Board of Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy and has more than 33 years of experience promoting research and connecting scientific groups across the nations. He was Head of the International Scientific Cooperation in the Ministry/ Department of Science & Technology, Government of India till January 2024. From 2017 till January 2024, he was the Indian Co-Chair, Governing Body of the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) and the binational U.S-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF). He was also a Member of  the Governing Council of the International Advanced Research Centre of Powder Metallurgy (ARCI) a R&D lab of DST, Govt of India.

Dr. Nemkumar Banthia, Conference Co-Chair

Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia is a University Killam Professor at The University of British Columbia. Prof. Banthia spearheaded the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS)—a Research Centre of Excellence—as its Scientific Director and CEO. A mentor to many, Dr. Banthia has graduated over 75 doctoral and post-doctoral students. He holds 9 patents, has published over 525 refereed papers, and has edited more than 20 volumes.  He serves on the Editorial Boards of six international journals and is the Editor-in-Chief of the J. of Cement and Concrete Composites— a journal with a 2023 Impact Factor of 10.8 (CiteScore of 18.7). This is the Journal with the highest impact factor in the field.

Save the Dates

The conference will be during December 9–11, 2024.

Location

The conference will be in New Delhi, India, at the India Habitat Centre. 

Visa Requirements

As the purpose of visit to India by students and faculty is to attend this conference in Delhi; a Conference Visa will be required. Documents required for conference visa application are as follow:

  1. The online application for Visa must be completed and submitted online. The form can be filled up and submitting online at the below link: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
  2. While filling up the Visa form please select the type of visa correctly e.g., Conference Visa.
  3. All the personal particulars / data entries of the visa application should match with the current passport. The application form is to be signed by the visa applicant.
  4. Canadian/Foreign passport (Original and copy) (duly self attested): Please enclose photo page of your Canadian/Foreign Passport having photographs and details of your passport. Original passport is required to be enclosed with the application, it will be sent back with visa, once visa is issued. Please ensure the passport is valid for minimum 6 months or more.
    In case of Foreign passport i.e., other than Canadian, please provide the following two additional documents:
    (a) Status in Canada (PR / Work Permit / Study Permit / Visa)
    (b) Additional form as per link below:
    https://blsindia-canada.com/forms/non-canadian-form.pdf
    (c) Proof of address in Canada please enclose any one of the following document as proof of your present address:
    (d) Driving License
    (e) Photo ID issued by the Canadian Government
    (f) Utility Bills (like; electricity/water/hydro/phone/internet etc)-must be of recent month.
    Note: Address proof must match with the address provided in the application form.
  5. Copy of Invitation Letter from the organizer of Conference / event in India:
    Please enclose copy of invitation letter from the Organizer of the Conference / event in India, inviting the applicant for attending the conference / event in India.
  6. Letter from organization in Canada sponsoring the applicant: In case, the applicant is visiting India for the Conference on behalf of an organization in Canada, the visa applicant is required to enclose a letter from the Organization in Canada nominating / authorizing him/her to attend the conference /event in India. The organization may also certify in the letter that the all the expenditure, clearances, etc., is arranging by the organization.

Accommodations

Rooms have been blocked at two hotels near the conference venue, attendees are welcome to select their choice of either hotel and follow the instructions given below to book their accommodation. Please note that IC-IMPACTS is not responsible for the booking or payment of accommodation for conference attendees.

Single/ Double Occupancy : Rs 7500 CP Plus Taxes (12%)

Deluxe Rooms:
Single Occupancy : Rs 8000 CP Plus Taxes (18%)
Double Occupancy : Rs 8500 CP Plus Taxes (18%)

Business Rooms:
Single Occupancy : Rs 9500 CP Plus Taxes (18%)
Double Occupancy : Rs 10000 CP Plus Taxes (18%)

Suite Rooms:
Single Occupancy : Rs 11000 CP Plus Taxes (18%)
Double Occupancy : Rs 11500 CP Plus Taxes (18%)

To make a booking of the room of your choice, please send an email to [email protected] while keeping [email protected] and [email protected] in copy. 

  • Le Méridien for 14,500.00 INR per night 
    To book rooms under this rate, please visit the hotel website here

Registration

Deadline to register: July 31, 2024. Extended to October 31, 2024.  

Student registration – 5,000 INR (limited to 30 seats and subject to review)
General registration – 10,000 INR

Registration is mandatory for this event and is subject to review as seating is limited. You are encouraged to submit your details as soon as possible. Once we receive your registration form, a team member will be in touch with you with further instructions. Your registration will only be confirmed once your payment has been received.

Please note that registration will not be possible at the venue.