The academic year 2004-05 witnessed a major change in the status of our Institute. A long cherished dream of Autonomy has become a reality. In spite of many Herculean efforts, it took 63 years to come to this milestone.
  
It is interesting to see that way back in 1941 the then Vice-Chancellor of the University had expressed a desire to confer autonomy on the UDCT to make it a School of Chemical Technology; the opinion was endorsed by the then Chancellor of the state Sir Roger Lumlay. After 1941, over last many years, the successive Vice-Chancellors of the University of Mumbai, have expressed a desire to confer complete autonomy on the UDCT and to convert it eventually into a School of Chemical Technology; or a Deemed-to-be University. In 1968, the UGC visiting committee also recommended the same. Authorities like UGC, AICTE, DST, have been emphasizing a need to give full autonomy to the UDCT and making it a full-fledged Institute of Chemical Technology. In spite of these recommendations, no concrete decisions were taken in this direction.
  
Forty-three years passed, and during the Golden Jubilee Year of the UDCT (1984-85), the University delegated some of its powers to the Director of the UDCT. It helped the UDCT immensely. In late eighties, follow-up committees led by Professor Limaye and Professor Pradhan recommended changing the name of the UDCT to University Institute of Chemical Technology and making it fully autonomous and also gave detailed plans of the proposed autonomy. No further cognisance was taken.
  
The University granted autonomy to the UDCT as an Autonomous Department of the University from 1st June 1994, initially for a period of five years, the period was extended for further five years in 1999. However, the relevant statutes were not passed till January 2002 for its implementation. In any case, under the University Act and the pertinent approved Statutes the scope of Autonomous Status was very limited.
  
In January 2003, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Mumbai appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. R.A.Mashelkar. The Committee has made several visionary recommendations including "Deemed to be University Status" together with separate "Block Grant".
  
Meanwhile, the UDCT was renamed as the Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology, (Autonomous) on 26th January 2002. Though the name was changed, de facto status of the Institute remained as that of a University Department.
  
The major breakthrough came in 2003 when the efforts of UICT were fructified and the Government of Maharashtra issued a GR in June 2004, granting complete academic, financial, managerial and administrative autonomy to the UICT. The management of the UICT shall be done through an independent Board of Governors. This BOG has been constituted by the Government with Dr. R A Mashelkar as the Chairman, and eminent persons like Shri. Mukesh Ambani, Shri. Narotam Sekhsaria, Dr. S. Sivaram, Dr. Anji Reddy, Professor S.P. Sukhatme, Dr. V.N.Gupchup as the members. This pool of talent available to us is enviable. The Institute is expected to get a separate Block Grant to take care of the wages. A Senate has been constituted with faculty members to look into the academic matters. The institute can devise its own courses, curricula, teaching methods, and evaluation systems. The Degrees shall be awarded by the University.
  
What are the salient features of this autonomous status? It is autonomy with responsibility. It is a commitment to excellence with social awareness and responsibility. And we are prepared for it. To be with time, the Institute can induce innovations in its functioning. In doing this, the Government has assured to protect all the approved positions in the Institute. We have to perform and prove that we are worthy of the autonomous status granted. I am confident that all my colleagues will contribute their share towards these objectives.
  
Now, a quantum jump has been planned in the infrastructure. Built-up area will be increased from the present 44,000 m2 to 100,000 m2, which will consist of modernisation of laboratory, classrooms and auditorium; and new conference halls, residential complex, sports and other facilities. Simultaneously, corresponding provisions will be made in other utilities such as electricity, water and communication system. An urgent attention will be focused on the modernization of Library with a broadband accessibility to 130 worldwide information sources. It will be seen that all the students get sufficient accessibility all 24 hours a day and all 365 days a year.
  
A second project of e-administration will be undertaken in the near future. Complete computerization will be implemented in all the academic, administrative and financial functions.
  
UICT continues to maintain the leading position in India in Chemical Engineering and Technology in terms of research output. This year 43 Ph.D. degrees and 120 Masters degrees have been awarded. The faculty and students have published 145 research papers in internationally cited journals and 22 C.A.S. abstracted journals. Fifteen patents have been applied for/granted and 11 book chapters and 1 book have been published. Eighteen papers have appeared in the proceedings of various conferences.
  
The external revenue generation (ERG) in this year through research projects, consultation, etc. has been Rs. 13.82 crores. The compounded growth in the last five years has been 22% per year. At present, the ratio of ERG to the salary grant from the government is about 2.59, which is perhaps the highest among all the educational institutions in the country. I have reasons to believe that the same growth rate shall be maintained during 2005-2006.
  
The Departments of Chemical Engineering, Fibres & Textile Processing Technology, Food Engineering & Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology and Paint and Polymer Engineering & Technology have been selected for the FIST programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The Departments of Food Engineering & Technology and Pharmaceutical Sciences &Technology have been recognized under the UGC 's Special Assistance Programme. Two Centers of Advanced Studies of UGC have been ongoing in 1) Chemical Engineering and in 2) Fibres & Textile Processing Technology; Intermediate & Dyestuffs Technology; Paint Technology and Polymer Engineering & Technology and Applied Physics Departments.
  
This year will indeed be remembered by the outstanding performance shown by our alumni, faculty and students. Let me present to you only few of these achievements.
  
1.   Prof. M.M.Sharma, Emeritus Professor of Eminence at MUICT has been honoured by University of Calcutta by Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa). He has also been honoured by Honorary Fellowship of the Indian Institute of Cultivation of Science
2.   Dr. R.A.Mashelkar, Chairman, Board of Governors and Director General of CSIR has received the prestigious "Maharashtra Bhushan Award" of the Govt. of Maharashtra.
3.   Dr. R. A. Mashelkar has become President of the Indian National Science academy.
4.   Dr. R.A.Mashelkar has been elected to the fellowship of US National Academy of Sciences. Honorary Doctorates have been conferred on him by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
5.   Dr. V.V.Ranade(Alumnus), Scientist NCL, has received the coveted "Shantiswarup Bhatnagar Award" in Engineering Sciences. He also received the Herdillia Award of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers as well as Chem-Tech Foundation Award for outstanding contributions to fundamental research.
6.   Professor K.G. Akamanchi, Professor V.G. Gaikar, Professor M.Y. Kamat and Professor M.D. Teli have been elected to the Fellowship of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.
7.   Professor V.G. Gaikar has received "Herdillia Award" of IIChE for excellence in basic research in Chemical Engineering. It may be pointed out that the award was instituted in 1978. Since then, thirty scientists have been honoured for their outstanding research contributions. Out of these eleven have been UICT alumni.
8.   Professor D.D. Kale received "Professor K. Arumugam National Award" of the Indian Society of Technical Education for innovative work in Engineering and Technology.
9.   Professor V.G. Pangarkar received "Anna University National Award" of the Indian Society of Technical Education for outstanding academic contribution.
10.   Dr. A.W. Patwardhan has been selected for the Young Scientist Award of the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and as "Young Associate" of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore.
11.   Professor G.D. Yadav has been elected as Vice-President of the Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.
  
This year sixteen students of MUICT have received awards for their notable contributions in the Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, Sports, International competitive programmes, etc.
  
Two gigantic unprecedented events were organized in December 2004. First one was International Workshop and Symposium in Industrial Drying - organized by Dr. B. N. Thorat. About 300 participants from 21 countries participated in the event. The second one was a Joint Conference of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers and American Institute of Chemical Engineers organized by Professor G.D. Yadav and Professor D. Ramkrishna, both being alumni of MUICT. This conference was participated by 2000 delegates including many Who's Who from both the countries. The events were a grand success. Another two-day event was the First International Convention on colorants organised by Professor V.R.Kanetkar in the month of February 2005. The significance is that for the first time the Dyestuffs Dept. of MUICT and the DMAI, the official organisation of the Dyestuffs Industry in India, jointly took efforts to increase the awareness among the industrialists, researchers and academicians from India about the innovations and potential growth in this important sector. Speakers from abroad participated wholeheartedly in the deliberations inducting more vigour in the minds of the delegates.
  
This year witnessed the retirement of Shri S.V. Chiplunkar, Shri N.K. Gupta, Shri V.T. Gurav, Professor A.K. Kalkar, Shri B.B. Khakam, Shri M.R. Nandviskar, Professor J.S. Pai, Shri V.A. Parab, Shri A.R. Rane, after long dedicated services. I pay my rich compliments to all of them for their valuable contributions.
  
We deeply regret sad and sudden demise of Smt. Shanta R. Gaikwad. In her we have lost a dedicated soul.
  
The institution welcomes Dr. Ajit Kumar, Dr. A.K. Sahu as faculty members; Kum. Shantha Venkatesan as Sr. Librarian; Dr. Rita Doctor as Adjunct Professor and Dr. A.L. Ravimohan; and Dr. V.D. Mundale as Dr. Gharda Distinguished Scientists. Their induction has made the Institution not only strong but also balanced in terms of all the aspects.
  
All the faculty members, through different titled activities and the entire non-teaching staff, through their enthusiastic contributions and co-operation, have made the atmosphere vibrant. I take this opportunity to thank all my teaching and non-teaching colleagues most sincerely who have been putting their might to make this Institution a major resource centre for the country.
  
I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Chairman and all the members of the Board of Governors and to the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vijay Khole and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Arun Sawant of the Mumbai University for their advice and active support from time to time.
  
Finally, I convey my hearty congratulations to all the award winners and rank holders, best student awardees, best thesis awardees and the best teachers.

Professor J.B. Joshi
Director