Workshop on molecular modeling in chemistry and beyond

The achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind are remarkable. In August 2007, the General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) approved a resolution to proclaim 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. Less than a year later, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board also recommended for such a resolution, which subsequently led to the declaration of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry IYC 2011 by the UN General Assembly in 2008.

Also, the year 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Madam Marie Curie in chemistry. She is the only scientist receiving two Nobel Prizes in two different disciplines i.e. chemistry and physics.

The aim is to raise awareness of chemistry among the general public and to attract young people into the field, as well as to highlight the role of chemistry in solving global problems. Under the theme of IYC-2011 .Chemistry.our life, our future., the Department of Chemistry at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad organized and hosted a three-day workshop on .Molecular Modeling in Chemistry and Beyond. during May 27-29, 2011. The workshop was intended to highlight the latest advancements in the field of computational chemistry, molecular modeling and bioinformatics and to provide extensive hands-on trainings to participants using various molecular modeling software such as VMD, Hyperchem, MOE, Gaussian03, Autodock4, Modeller, Easy modeller, BLAST etc. The workshop attracted over 45 young scientists including faculty members from different universities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar and Sargodha. Overall, the workshop has been rated by the participants as an excellent event of 2011 at QAU. The Vice Chancellor, as the Chief Guest highlighted the significance of IYC 2011, appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee to hold such an activity and expected that the department will organize more events to commemorate the year with the global chemist.s community.