Free/Open Source Software in CUSAT: A Success Story

Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) concept is very important in the academic community. The open philosophy of FOSS is consistent with academic freedom and the open dissemination of knowledge and information in academia. FOSS can lower the barriers to access of ICTs by reducing the cost of the software. This article discusses the success story of CUSAT's adoption of Free/Open Source Software

International Conference on Semigroups, Algebras and Applications (ICSA 2015)

Mathematicians who make significant contributions towards development of mathematical science are not getting the recognition they deserve, according to Cusat Vice Chancellor Dr. J. Letha. She was delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on Semigroups, Algebras and Applications (ICSA 2015) organized by Dept. of Mathematics, Cochin university of Science and Technology on Thursday. Mathematics plays an important role in the development of basic science. The academic community should not delay in accepting and appreciating this, Dr. Letha added. Dr. Godfrey Louis, Dean, Faculty of Science presided over the inaugural function. Prof. P. G. Romeo, Head, Dept. of Mathematics, Prof. John C. Meakin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA, Prof. A. N. Balchand, Syndicate Member, Prof. K. A. Zakkariya, Syndicate Member, Prof. A. R. Rajan, Emeritus Professor, University of Kerala and Prof. A. Vijayakumar, Dept. of Mathematics, Cusat addressed the gathering. Around 50 research papers will be presented at the Conference.Prof. K. S. S. Nambooripad, the internationally famous mathematician with enormous contributions in the field of semigroup theory, who has attained eighty years of age will be felicitated on 18th at 5.00 pm during a function presided over by Dr. K. Poulose Jacob, Pro-Vice Chancellor. Dr. Suresh Das, Executive President, KSCSTE, Dr. A. M. Mathai, Director, CMSS and President, Indian Mathematical Society, Dr. P. G. Romeo, Head, Dept. of Mathematics and Dr. B. Lakshmi, Dept. of Mathematics will speak on the occasion.

Ecology And Seasonal Variation Of Microalgal Community In An Oil Refinery Effluent Holding Pond: Monitoring And Assessment

The microalgal community as primary producers has to play a significant role in the biotic and abitoic interactions of any aquatic ecosystem. Whenever a community is exposed to a pollutant, responses can occur because individuals acclimate to pollutant caused changes and selection can occur favouring resistant genotypes within a population and selection among species can result in changes in community structure. The microalgal community of industrial effluent treatment systems are continuously exposed to pollutants and there is little data available on the structure and seasonal variation of microalgal community of industrial effluent holding ponds, especially of a complex effluent like that of refinery. The aim of the present study was to investigate the annual variation in the ecology, biomass, productivity and community structure of the algal community of a refinery effluent holding pond. The results of the study showed the pond to be a eutrophic system with a resistant microalgal community with distinct seasonal variation in species composition