1 st  International Conference on Nano Science and Nanotechnology (ICONN-2018)

ISLAMABAD: (Parliament Times) School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME) of the National University
of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in collaboration with Syed Babar Ali School of Science and
Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) held the First
International Conference on Nano Science and Nanotechnology (ICONN 2018) on the
November 1-2, 2018. The conference focused on various aspects of nano science and
nanotechnology. This two day conference was another precedent of the respective universities’
zeal for research and providing their students with incomparable exposure to knowledge.
Speakers’ panel composed of the best international and national speakers who shared their
work, knowledge and experiences related to bio-nanotechnology, materials for environmental
remediation and monitoring, renewable energy technologies, nano devices and
nanocomposites. Conference brought together researchers from various fields to share notions,
problems and solutions relating to the development of nano materials, nano devices and nano
processes. International speakers included Prof. Dr. Mathias Brust from University of Liverpool
UK, Prof. Dr. Walther Schwarzacher from University of Bristol UK , Prof. Dr. Churl-Hee Cho  from
Chungnam National University (CNU) Republic of Korea and Prof. Dr. Jan-Henrik Smatt from
Åbo Akademi University Finland.
The conference was well received by all attendees, it was only due to the determination and
hard work of organizers and participants that even after instability in the city, conference pulled
out to be a success. Students reviewed it to be highly informative and beneficial. Foreign
delegates were pleased to visit the campus and meet the energetic students. They said to be
looking forward to future visits and collaborations. This conference provided an excellent
opportunity for students, researchers and professionals across the country and abroad to come
together to share and gain knowledge and moreover to form links that may enrich the
professional networks among the participants. By setting an example, this conference will also
contribute in promoting intra national university collaborations.  Second round of the
conference shall be hosted by LUMS in 2019. The option of organizing this event outside
Pakistan in collaboration with international partner (in addition to NUST and LUMS) was also
discussed and appreciated. Such option will further be deliberated and materialized in future.
Furthermore, the option of mentoring our MS students by the PhD students of UK Universities
(Bristol and Liverpool to start with) was also discussed with Prof. Dr. Walther Schwarzacher and
Prof. Dr. Mathias Brust which was well received by both partners. It was decided to work
closely in future to materialize this activity which will extremely be beneficial for our graduate
students.