Lucknow: The two-day National Conference on “Sources of Planet Energy, Environmental & Disaster Science (SPEEDS-2026): Hills Ecosystem and Human Survival” concluded on a high note at the School of Management Sciences (SMS), Lucknow, with experts, academicians, researchers, policymakers and industry representatives deliberating on critical issues related to environmental conservation, sustainable development, energy security, biodiversity, water management and disaster resilience.
The conference was jointly organized by School of Management Sciences (SMS), Lucknow, in collaboration with The Institution of Engineers (India), Uttar Pradesh State Centre, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow.
The valedictory session commenced with welcome addresses by Dr. Ashish Bhatnagar, Director, SMS Lucknow, and Er. Vijay Pratap Singh, Chairman, IEI Uttar Pradesh State Centre. They highlighted the significance of the discussions held during the conference and emphasized the need to translate the recommendations and findings into practical and effective policy frameworks capable of addressing contemporary environmental and developmental challenges.
The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, Dr. Harikesh Bahadur Singh, Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, stressed that emerging environmental challenges can only be addressed through a combination of scientific research, technological innovation and active public participation. He urged young researchers to contribute high-quality research towards environmental protection and sustainable development.
Special Guest Dr. Rana Pratap Singh, Honorary Director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment (CSAE), emphasized the urgent need to promote sustainable agricultural practices, eco-friendly technologies and research-driven innovations to combat climate change and conserve natural resources. He encouraged young scholars to undertake solution-oriented research that directly benefits society.
Conference Co-Chair and Director General (Technical), SMS Lucknow, Bharat Raj Singh, expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the event. He noted that the conference theme received an enthusiastic response from researchers and experts across the country. Out of 110 research papers submitted, 81 papers were selected for presentation and publication after a rigorous review and screening process by subject experts.
Presenting a summary of the technical sessions, he stated that extensive discussions had generated several valuable policy recommendations related to environmental conservation, energy security, water resource management, hill ecosystems and sustainable development. He suggested that these recommendations be shared with relevant government agencies and policy-making institutions to support evidence-based decision-making and future policy formulation.
Sharad Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, SMS Lucknow, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability, research excellence and social responsibility. He said the institute would continue organizing national and international conferences, seminars and academic forums to encourage research, innovation and public awareness on environmental and developmental issues.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Er. Narendra Kumar Nishad, Honorary Secretary, IEI Uttar Pradesh State Centre, who expressed gratitude to the chief guest, distinguished speakers, researchers, academicians, industry representatives and participants for their valuable contributions. He also acknowledged the efforts of the organizing committee, faculty members, staff and students in ensuring the event’s success.
Among those present were Dr. Jagdish Singh (Director Administration), Dr. P.K. Singh (Dean), Dr. Arunesh Kumar (Conference Convener), Dr. Asha Kulshreshtha and Dr. Pushpanjali (Organizing Secretaries), Registrar, Surendra Srivastava (Chief General Manager), along with department heads, faculty members, research scholars, students and industry professionals.
Participants described SPEEDS-2026 as a meaningful and outcome-oriented national platform for dialogue on pressing issues such as environmental sustainability, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, water security, hill ecosystems and disaster management. The conference was widely appreciated for fostering interdisciplinary discussions and generating actionable recommendations for future research and policy development.
