Goa University conducted 'ASIAN MYCOLOGICAL CONGRESS 2015', during 7-10 Oct 2015

The Department of Botany, Goa University, in association with Mycological Society of India and Asian Mycological Association, organized an international biennial event ‘Asian Mycological Congress 2015' during 7-10 October at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Auditorium, Goa University. This 4-day event was inaugurated by Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, Honb’le Chief Minister, Government of Goa, on 7^th Oct 2015. Dr Satish Shetye, Vice Chancellor, Goa University, presided over the inaugural function. Prof. B.N. Johri, President, Mycological Society of India, graced the occasion. Prof. V.P. Kamat, Registrar, Goa University, welcomed the gathering and Prof. B.F. Rodrigues, Head, Department of Botany, proposed vote of thanks. A special First-Day postal cover was released on the occasion. A Fungal Philately, inaugurated by the chief guest, was on exhibition on the occasion.   

Over 250 delegates attended the Asian Mycological Congress 2015 and of which 67 were from various Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran and Viet Nam.  More than 20 Japanese delegates, including several senior scientists and young researchers came to Goa and attended the AMC 2015.  In addition, mycologists from UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Germany participated and delivered lead lectures in the Congress. 

Various fungi-related issues such as biodiversity, biotechnology, molecular biology, agricultural mycology, medical mycology and culinary usage of fungi were presented and discussed in 4 plenary, 13 keynote, 113 oral and 115 poster papers, during the Congress.  A popular lecture entitled, ‘Five Microfungi that changed the World’, was delivered by Prof. Keith Seifert from Canada at Institute Menezes Braganza auditorium, Panaji, on 8^th October 2015 and a large number of people from all walks of life attended the session. An industry-academia interactive session was held at Goa Chamber of Commerce, Panaji, during the Congress. Former vice-President of BioCon, India, Shreekumar Suryanarayanan moderated the session. A special workshop on conservation of fungi was held during the Congress.

Prof. Keith Seifert, President of the International Mycological Association, Dr. Pedro W. Crous, Director, CBS, Netherlands, Prof. Gareth Jones, U.K., Dr Peter Buchanan, New Zealand and country representatives of the Asian Mycological Association were some of the renowned mycologists attended the Congress. Several leading Indian mycologists came to Goa and participated in the Congress.

The AMC-2015 was an intellectual feast to students and researchers working on fungal biology, biodiversity studies, taxonomy, medicine, industrial application, culinary usage, plant pathology and drug discovery. 

D. Jayarama Bhat