Centre for Radioactivity opened at Mangalore varsity

Mangalore University here has set up a state-of-the-art Centrefor Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity to cater to the research needs of various groups working on radioecology and environmental radioactivity.
After inaugurating the centre last evening, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Director K N Vyas appealed to the faculty and students to make the best use of the facility.
Industries like thermal power plants could also use the Centre for testing their products for radioactivity, he said.
University Vice Chancellor K Byrappa said the centre is equipped with the country's first Atomic Energy Regulatory Board-accredited laboratory which wouldhelp food and beverage industries in the region for checkingradiation level in their products.

Besides carrying out research, the centre wouldfacilitate testing of spices, packaged water, pharmaceuticalsand other food material meant for export and for publicconsumption in the country.
As per international standards,food and beverage products should be free of radiation forexports and CARER would issue a certificate after testing them,he said.

BARC Associate Director K S Pradeep Kumar asked thecentre to do an epidemiological study of cancer cases andother health issues in places around the Kaiga nuclear plant.
652 students were awarded Master's degree and 2 were
conferred with MPhil degree at the convocation ceremony.
Noting that the South Asian region countries have common challenges like food security, poverty, Singh said the varsity was designed to ensure that solutions to these concerns are formulated.

"I am glad that with the first convocation we have reached a definitive stage towards that realisation. This is also a sign that we are now in the implementation phase from the declaratory phase," Singh said.
Singh said the future of the region rests on the pillars of trade, investment, assistance, operation, people to people contacts and connectivity.
"We have united history, geography, customs and tradition, religions and creeds that have given us a very composite culture. Be it sports, cuisine, art and culture or tradition or films, we have lot in common.
"Cooperation in the field of education will be of paramount importance if we are to ensure improvement in interlinked destinies for the people of South Asia," Singh said.

Thapa said the varsity was a symbol of knowledge and wisdom of our region.
"South Asia is responsible for the genesis of art, the conception of science. This is the region that refined agriculture, architecture, astronomy, meteorology, etc.
"Our region is filled with glory in the field of knowledge and wisdom with past teachers like Chanakya, Shankaracharya, Valmiki, Ved Vyas. Gautam Buddha was born and enlightened in this region.
Dr. Akhil Prasad, Country Counsel India, Boeing
underscored that adherence to compliance issues of rules, regulations and statutes requires expertise. "This is why corporations and enterprises are increasingly seeking lawyers to fit more than just a legal consultation role. While external counsels are only able to see the tip of the iceberg from business decision-making perspectives, in-house teams help organizations in understanding, ideating and modifying business strategies aligned to the vision of situational risk analysis," he said.

Pointing out that cutting-edge artificial intelligence will be the key in understanding emerging technologies around the world, Mr. Apurva Mehta, Commercial Attorney, Microsoft said, "Our judicial system has undergone radical transformation and is, today, a prominent organ of the state. Financial firms, media houses, airlines and defence and technology are the few industries that have lately realized the potential of GCs in business development."
"Business counsels and attorneys are critical differentiators in bridging the gap for multinationals at this point of time. We understand the dynamics of competitive markets and compliance and at the same time help organizations' CEOs in taking smart risks, one at a go," Mr. Mehta added.

The role of General Counsels in the Indian corporate sector has undergone a radical change over the last ten years.
A recent KPMG survey of 320 GCs in 32 countries reflected on the transitional role of GCs into business decision-makers. The transition requires a shift in mind-set and behaviour from the GC as well as wider organizations, if the value that GC can bring to the top table is to be maximized, the report stated.