The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the University of Miami jointly hosted a two-day symposium titled “Promoting Aerosol Education and Research” supported by Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (Ministry of Education) on February 18–19, 2026. The event aimed at developing a structured curriculum framework and modular course offerings in aerosol science and technology for Indian institutions.
The symposium has brought together leading experts, researchers, and educators from across India and abroad (IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Goa, BARC, University of Miami and Indian Aerosol Science and Technology Association) to chart a roadmap for introducing formalised aerosol science courses, ranging from undergraduate modules to professional certification programmes; in response to growing national needs linked to nanomaterial synthesis and nanotechnology, air pollution control, climate change, public health, and sustainability. Aerosol education would spur deep-tech Make in India innovations in a variety of applications of societal interest.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Sameer Patel, Assistant Professor at IITGN, emphasized the need for a coordinated national effort to strengthen aerosol science education. He noted that despite its increasing relevance in areas such as air pollution and climate science, aerosol studies remain underrepresented in mainstream academic curricula. The symposium, he said, was intentionally designed as a focused, discussion-driven meeting aimed at producing tangible outcomes, including a structured roadmap and action plan.
Speaking at the event, Dr Chandra Venkataraman, Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, said, aerosol science spans multiple disciplines including chemical and mechanical engineering, environmental science, physics, and sustainability studies. She stressed that the discipline must reposition itself within emerging sustainability-focused academic frameworks and strengthen classroom integration through modular and flexible course structures.
Dr Pratim Biswas, Professor in the Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering at the University of Miami, highlighted the interdisciplinary strength of aerosol science and its potential to attract students if structured effectively. As Aerosol Science and Technology is an enabling discipline that can assist in tackling global challenge problems, there is a need to attract and train the next generation in this important field of endeavor. He emphasized that modular, certificate-based, and experiential course formats, including online platforms, could widen participation and position India as a global hub for aerosol education. He also stressed the need for a clear academic roadmap and stronger national research linkages.
Delivering the keynote address on the History and Evolution of Aerosol Science in India, Dr Y S Mayya strongly advocated structured certification in aerosol science, drawing parallels with radiation safety training. Professionals working with aerosol instrumentation and measurements would benefit from formal training in aerosol science. Other attendees, Dr Sagnik Dey, Dr Thaseem Thajudeen and Dr S. Anand provided valuable insights that will eventually constitute elements of the proposed roadmap document.
Discussions during the symposium focused on defining the core pillars of a national aerosol curriculum, including aerosol physics, chemistry, dynamics, instrumentation, and optical behaviour, along with applications in pollution monitoring, public health, nanotechnology, and atmospheric sciences. Participants also examined innovative teaching approaches such as active learning, experiential components, and peer-led team learning.
The group emphasized field exposure and hands-on learning, proposing mandatory visits to air quality monitoring sites, laboratory immersion programmes, internships, and school-level outreach initiatives. A ladder-based academic structure from an introductory “Aerosol 101” course to advanced postgraduate modules and professional certification programmes, was actively discussed.
The deliberations are expected to culminate in a structured white paper outlining curriculum frameworks, certification models, and a national implementation strategy. The initiative aims to build long-term academic capacity and create a coordinated ecosystem for aerosol education and research in India. The findings would also be applicable globally.
The second day focused on operationalising the roadmap. Participants identified “Chapter Leads” for specific course modules and mapped shared resources such as virtual laboratories and datasets that could support national implementation.
A dedicated session was held to finalize the layout of a proposed White Paper and structure a potential Perspective Paper articulating key arguments and a unified national vision for aerosol education and research. Clear timelines were established for preparing the first draft.