The department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, which started since the inception of Indian Institute of Science in 1909, is one of the oldest chemistry departments in the country. From its humble beginning the department has progressed to become one of the finest in the country. Along with the training of students in their respective areas of research, the department also believes in the holistic development of students. Keeping this in view, the ‘Al(l)chemists’ Club’ was started by students of the department.
The club organises many activities throughout the year starting from the welcome of the newly joined PhD and Integrated PhD students to various lectures for complete grooming of the students. The club has started a memorial lecture series in the honour of Late Prof S. K. Rangarajan who was a distinguished faculty of the department and an eminent scientist of the country. The club invites renowned scientists from across the country from different areas of expertise to share their views on particular subjects, not just restricted to chemistry but also economics and philosophical issues. This lecture series and other special lectures organized by the club are hugely popular among the students and the faculty of the institute.
An In-house symposium is organized, which provides an informal platform for fruitful communication and exchange of ideas among the students and the faculty of the department. The In-house symposium includes poster sessions and presentations from students and faculty. The club also organizes an annual trip to nearby tourist spots for all the students of the department to help them switch off from their hectic schedule and enjoy some time off from research.
Al(l)chemists’ club is also actively involved in organizing the Open Day event in the campus. The institute opens its gates to students, teachers and general public from all over Bangalore on the Open Day. Students from different departments of the institute perform thrilling and mind tickling experiments for all so that the young and old both get exposed to the joy of doing science. The Al(l)chemists’ club coordinates with the Chemical Sciences division to conduct this event.
In a nutshell, the club believes and works towards the overall development of an individual. Also the members of the club learn to work together as a group inculcating in them the values of team work, team spirit and organizational skills.