The International Conference on Emerging and Environment Sustaining Renewable Energy (ICEESRE-2024) held on October 24-25, 2024, at Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) marked a significant milestone in the landscape of environmental and energy research in North East India. With ADBU recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU) as a global cluster lead for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7), the university’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering organized this prestigious event under the theme “Access to Affordable, Reliable, and Modern Energy Services for All”. This collaborative venture, supported by India’s Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), saw five prestigious Taiwanese universities- Cheng Shiu University, National Quemoy University, National Chung Cheng University, Kung Shan University, and Fu Jen Catholic University - join hands with ADBU in advancing sustainable energy innovation.
The conference opened with a welcome address by Fr. Joseph Nellanatt, Pro Vice-Chancellor of ADBU, who emphasized the event’s goals and the critical relevance of its theme. Distinguished guests graced the inauguration, including Chief Guest Prof. Sisir Kumar Nayak of IIT Guwahati, who delivered a thought-provoking keynote speech underscoring the need for global collaboration to address environmental and energy challenges. Prof. Wei-Te Chen of Taiwan’s Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC), the Guest of Honour, highlighted the essential role of conferences like ICEESRE-2024 in fostering international exchange and solutions for a sustainable future. Prof. Manoranjan Kalita, Director of ADBU’s School of Technology, stressed the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing issues like climate change, renewable energy integration, and resource management. In the inaugural session, Dr. Papul Changmai, the conference convenor, shared that the presented papers would be submitted for publication as book chapters in Springer’s “Lecture Notes on Electrical Engineering” series, a platform that would broaden the reach of the research outcomes. Dr. Changmai also announced a generous Rs. 3 lakh grant from SERB, demonstrating strong institutional support for this ambitious event.
Following the inauguration, the conference launched with its first plenary session, which featured presentations on various topics such as advancements in renewable energy technologies, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and environmental monitoring innovations. Multiple technical sessions and a panel discussion of experts explored diverse topics, including sustainable energy policies, waste management practices, and emerging clean water technologies. These sessions offered participants insights into sustainable practices and novel solutions to pressing environmental issues. The conference saw the presentation of 23 research papers contributed by esteemed academic institutions, research bodies, and private sector representatives. ICEESRE-2024 attracted a global audience with a total of 60 participants from India, the USA, Taiwan, Iraq, and beyond, reinforcing its status as a truly international event. Organizers and participants alike expressed hope that the collaborative and impactful discussions held at ICEESRE-2024 would pave the way for new partnerships and drive forward the momentum in environmental and energy research.
The closing ceremony on October 25, 2024, brought the conference to a close but left a lasting promise for continued progress. ICEESRE-2024 has set a strong precedent in the pursuit of sustainable solutions to global energy and environmental challenges, aligning closely with the United Nations' SDG-7 by aiming to expand access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
