University of Hyderabad Launches National Conference Celebrating 100 Years of Quantum Mechanics
Hyderabad |
The School of Physics, University of Hyderabad (UoH) commenced celebrations marking the centenary of Quantum Mechanics with a national-level conference titled “100 Years of Quantum Mechanics – 2026.” The conference brings together physicists, researchers, educators, and students from across the country to reflect on a century of revolutionary developments in quantum science.
The two-day conference features technical and popular lectures, poster presentations, and panel discussions, highlighting both foundational concepts and contemporary advances in quantum mechanics.
The conference was inaugurated on January 23, 2026, by Prof. B. J. Rao, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, in the presence of Prof. Nirmal K. Viswanathan, Dean (In-charge), School of Physics, and Prof. Ghanashyam Krishna, Director, Institution of Eminence (IoE).
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor described the centenary of quantum mechanics as “the best celebration any academic institution can undertake.” He noted that the occasion represents not merely a celebration of science, but a celebration of human intellectual achievement, while also highlighting the rich academic legacy of the University of Hyderabad.
Prof. Nirmal K. Viswanathan, Dean (In-charge), School of Physics, emphasized the significance of quantum optics within the broader framework of quantum mechanics. Prof. Ghanashyam Krishna, Director, IoE, underlined the importance of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) in translating quantum research into practical applications.
Following the inaugural session, the Vice-Chancellor chaired the first technical session. The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Jayanta Kumar Bhattacharjee of the Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj, followed by an invited talk by Prof. Subroto Mukherjee from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The conference has attracted ten distinguished speakers and over 370 participants and learners from institutions across India. It will conclude on January 24, 2026, with a popular lecture session specially designed for high school students, aimed at inspiring the next generation of physicists.
The year 2026 holds special significance for the global physics community, marking 100 years since the birth of Schrödinger’s wave mechanics. Around the same period, seminal developments such as the Heisenberg–Born–Jordan matrix mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics (including Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac statistics), and the Dirac–von Neumann–Weyl mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics emerged.
These breakthroughs revolutionized humanity’s understanding of nature, particularly the behavior and interactions of microscopic systems. A century later, quantum mechanics continues to remain highly relevant and impactful, shaping modern science, technology, and even our everyday lives.
