Somaiya Vidyavihar University Hosts National Symposium on Computational Science Honouring Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre

Mumbai, July 04, 2025: Somaiya Vidyavihar University hosted the National Symposium on Computational Science, which also marked the 75th birthday celebration of Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre, one of India’s distinguished figures in quantum chemistry. The event was organized by the university’s Centre for Excellence in Computational Science and Simulations (C2S2) in collaboration with the Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute for Basic Sciences (SRIBS).

The symposium brought together researchers and scholars from leading institutions including IISER Mohali, IIT Madras, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Digital University Kerala, and international universities in Germany and Italy. The program featured technical sessions, interdisciplinary panel discussions, and a poster showcase of emerging research.

“Computational science has moved beyond single disciplines. Today, it drives innovation across chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. Symposia like this create the space we need for deeper academic collaboration, especially when science must turn more integrative and solution-focused,” said Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University.

The event honoured Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre for his contributions to the field, including pioneering work in energy functional bounds, scalar fields, molecular clusters, and the development of the Molecular Tailoring Approach (MTA). MTA enables high-level quantum chemical studies of large molecular systems in a computationally efficient manner. Prof. Gadre has published over 240 research papers, mentored more than 20 PhD scholars, and held long-standing academic leadership roles at Savitribai Phule Pune University. His accolades include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, INSA Fellowship, and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Chemical Society.

“Prof. Gadre’s career reflects what academic leadership should stand for: scientific clarity, intellectual depth, and the ability to train generations of researchers. This symposium wasn’t just a celebration of legacy. It was a reflection of the future his work continues to influence,” said Prof. S. Sivaram, Professor of Eminence, Somaiya Vidyavihar University.

The event underscored the university’s focus on research-led academic engagement and its role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.