From the Desk of the Head
Welcome to the Department of Materials Science, where we strive to create a dynamic academic and research environment that fosters innovation, collaboration and excellence in advanced materials and nanoscience. Department is dedicated to educate students with the knowledge, skills and practical experiences needed to excel their careers and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Department of Materials Science also known as G.H. Patel Institute of Materials Science, established in 1990, was founded to offer interdisciplinary postgraduate courses in Materials Science and promote research and development in high-performance materials. Initially, the Department offered a P.G. Diploma in Materials Science. Later Department has started M.Sc. in Materials Science. In 2006, the Department introduced a postgraduate program in M.Sc. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Students from various states of the country enrolled in these courses, many of them pursuing higher studies at prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, central universities and international universities. Over the past 30 years, the Department has demonstrated remarkable research achievements, as evidenced by its involvement in numerous cutting-edge research projects.
The Department of Materials Science has achieved significant recognition for its excellence and contributions to research and education. The University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, has recognized Department of Materials Science as a Centre for Advanced Studies in Carbons and Composites, extended this prestigious status for phase II from 2009 to 2014. Furthermore, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, has recognized the Department under its FIST program. The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), has recognized the Department as a Centre for Excellence in Nanoscience and Nanomaterials and the state government has also supported under Innovative Programme initiatives.
The research program of the Department has been further reinforced through collaborations with leading Science and Technology Departments of top national institutes, such as IITs, NITs, premier research laboratories, various industrial and government organizations in India and abroad.
The Department actively secures financial support for research from prominent national funding agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), among others. Over the years, the Department has successfully executed numerous high-impact research projects at both national and international levels. International collaboration is a cornerstone of the Department’s research excellence. This is fostered through faculty members visit to esteemed institutions abroad and host distinguished international faculty and scientists. Collaborative research initiatives are supported by prestigious global agencies and institutions, such as the National Science Foundation (USA), the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR), the International Collaboration Research Cell of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), the NSF-BMBF (Germany) and DST-RFBR (Russia). These partnerships have significantly advanced the Department’s global research footprint and strengthened its contributions to cutting-edge scientific innovation.
Department is taking pride by offering a well-rounded curriculum including recent topics complemented by opportunities for hands-on learning through industrial visit, expert sessions and project work where master students gain real-world insights into materials science applications. To further enhance their practical knowledge and research capabilities, we also organize internship programs in collaboration with leading industries and esteemed alumni members. These programs provide students with invaluable exposure to front-line technologies and industrial practices.
To stay ahead in today’s competitive environment, Department has recently started add-on skill-based certificate course under National Education Policy. This is designed to empower students with specialized skills in advanced materials characterizations and analysis techniques.
– Dr. J. K. Valand