ILTAIndian Leather Technologists' Association 
8TH ASIA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LEATHER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (AICLST)
It was duly presented by Indian Leather Technologists’ Association (ILTA) jointly with Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) with technical assistance of Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology, Kolkata in active association with Council for Leather Exports in its Silver Jubilee Year, was held at hotel The Stadel, Kolkata from 12th - 14th November, 2010.
The theme of the Conference was “Leather 2020 : Challenges & Opportunities”
Friday 12th November 2010
Registration took place from 8 am onwards. Around 250 delegates registered 41 out of which were from abroad – countries like Taiwan, China, Switzerland, Italy, UK, USA and Spain. The registration kit containing AICLST Proceedings, November 2010 issue JILTA, Synopsis of Treatise on Fat liquor, authored by Dr. Samir Dasgupta to be published in book form, detail programme, writing pad and pen were distributed among the delegates.
Dr. K. Bhattacharya, Director, Indian Academy for Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur inaugurated the conference. Welcome address was delivered by Mr. Arnab Jha, President, ILTA which was followed by address to the delegates by Prof. Dr. A. B. Mandal, Director, CLRI, Dr. Bi Shi, President, IULTCS, Dr. S. Rajamani, Chairman, IUE Commission and Dr. Ali Ahmed Khan, Executive Director, CLE and ended with vote of thanks given by Mr. Susanta Mallick, General Secretary, ILTA.
During Inaugural session the proceedings on AICLST was released by Dr. Bi Shi and the Synopsis of the book “Treatise on Fatliquors and Fatliquoring of Leather” written by Dr. Samir Dasgupta was released by Dr. Ali Ahmed Khan.
Plenary session I on “Leather Research – Role of CLRI” was taken by Prof. Dr. A. B. Mandal and the Plenarysession session II on “Leather Industry – March to 2020” was taken by Dr. Ali Ahmed Khan.
Technical session I on “Process Technologies : Opportunities” was chaired by Dr. Elton L. Hurlow, past President, IULTCS and Mr. Arnab Jha. Seven oral presentations were made.
Technical session II on “Chemicals : Challenges and Opportunities” was chaired by Dr. Campbell Page, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, IULTCS and Dr. A. B. Mandal. Eight oral presentations were made.
Saturday 13th November 2010
Plenary session was taken on the topic “Seen Beyond the Horizon : A Challenge” by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. Technical session III on “Collagen Stabilization : New Leads” was chaired by Dr. T. Ramasami and Dr. T. Amos, Managing Director, Stahl India Limited. Eight oral presentations were made.
Technical session IV on “Environmental Challenges : New Developments” was chaired by Dr. Bi Shi and Mr. S. Ravi Kumar, General Manager, Balmer Lawrie & Co. Limited. Eight oral presentations were made.
Technical session V on “Leather Products : New Avenues” was chaired by Dr. S. Rajamani and Mr. Ivan Kral, UNIDO. Six oral presentations were made.
Sunday 14th November 2010
Technical session VI on “Human Resources and Management Opportunities” was chaired by Mr. Li Yu Zhong, Vice Chairman, China Leather Industry Association and Dr. Buddhadeb Chattopadhyay, Principal, GCELT. Five oral presentations were made.
There were 80 Poster presentations in all the sessions.
Certificates were issued to the speakers, poster presenters and participants.
Following awards were presented :
- Best overall presentation to Miss Wenhua Zhang
- Best poster presentation to Miss A. Gomathi
- Best young scientist to Mr. R. Boopathy
On 11th November evening IUE Commission Meeting was held at the conference room of the Govt. College of Engineering and Leather Technology.
On 12th November evening in the lawn of the Stadel cultural programme “Drums of India” was performed by famous percussionist Bikram Ghosh and his team which was followed by dinner in the open lawn with performance from DOHAR – a musical troop of regional repute.
On 13th November evening a dinner party was organized in a floating restaurant on the Ganges with foreign delegates only – by invitation by the sponsor.
On 14th November morning Executive Committee Meeting of IULTCS was organized in the conference room of ILTA. The objectives and the activities of ILTA during this Diamond Jubilee Celebration were briefed to the Executive Members of IULTCS.
After the conference on the same day a trip to Kolkata Leather Complex was organized for the willing delegates to visit the CETP, Freya Design Studio and some tanneries.
We express our gratitude to Sponsors, Advertisers, Delegates, Speakers and Poster Presenters.
From the feedback since received from the participants, the conference was successful and effectively served the objectives.
