Mumbai – Somaiya Vidyavihar University hosted the National Symposium on Computational Science and the 75th Birthday Festschrift of Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre. Organised by the Centre for Excellence in Computational Science and Simulations (C2S2), the symposium was graced by Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre and Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University.
Held in collaboration with the Srinivasa Ramanujan Institute for Basic Sciences (SRIBS), the symposium served as both a platform for scholarly exchange and a tribute to one of India’s most celebrated computational chemists. Researchers from IISER Mohali, IIT Madras, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Digital University Kerala, and institutions from Germany and Italy led sessions spanning technical presentations, interdisciplinary panels, and a poster showcase featuring emerging scholars.
“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 symposium honoured the legacy of Prof. Shridhar R. Gadre, a pioneering figure in quantum chemistry. Prof. Gadre is known for his contribution in bounds to energy functionals, scalar fields, molecular clusters, and molecular tailoring approach (MTA). The novelty of MTA lies in enabling computationally feasible and reliable studies of very large molecules and clusters at high levels of ab initio quantum chemical theory. With over 240 research papers, decades of academic leadership at Savitribai Phule Pune University, and mentorship of more than 20 PhD scholars, Prof. Gadre’s work has significantly shaped the field in India. His recognitions 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.
With this symposium, Somaiya Vidyavihar University continues to foster a research-driven academic culture, where interdisciplinary science meets mentorship, legacy, and future-facing inquiry.
