Page 46 - Plastics News October 2024
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REPORT




              Inspiring the Future : Baerlocher's Tribute to Academic
              Excellence at ICT

                n a grand celebration commemorating the              In a similar vein, the Dr. Tobias Rosenthal Best
                91st Foundation Day of the Institute of Chemi-       Student Award was conferred upon Mr. Varad
              Ical Technology (ICT), Baerlocher India proud-         Maske, an exemplary student recognized for
              ly presented its annual Academic Excellence            his academic achievements and excellence in
              Awards to two outstanding individuals in the           polymer engineering. The award was presented
              field of polymer science. This prestigious event,      by Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. B. Pandit, who high-
              held at ICT's iconic campus, saw a gathering of        lighted Mr. Maske’s hard work, innovative think-
              leading academic and industrial personalities.         ing, and exceptional promise as a future leader
                                                                     in the field. His achievements were celebrated
              The ceremony was presided over by Padmab-              by the gathered dignitaries, peers, and faculty
              hushan Prof. J. B. Joshi, Chancellor of ICT, along-    members.
              side Prof. A. B. Pandit, the Vice-Chancellor. The
              event was attended by ICT faculty, students,           Both awardees were greeted with enthusiastic
              renowned alumni, and members of Baerlocher             applause from the audience, reflecting the high
              team, creating an atmosphere of excitement             regard in which they are held by the academic
              and celebration.                                       community.

              Representing Baerlocher, Mr. Vivek Kale, SBU           Baerlocher’s Academic Excellence Awards con-
              Head of PVC Additives, introduced the compa-           ceptualized by Mr. Jayen Modi, the Managing
              ny's rich legacy and deep commitment to foster-        Director of Baerlocher India Additives Pvt. Ltd.,
              ing academic brilliance. Mr Kale spoke of Baer-        were instituted last year in honour of two of the
              locher’s vision behind instituting the Academic        company’s most influential figures—Dr. Michael
              Excellence Awards—to recognize and nurture             Rosenthal and Dr. Tobias Rosenthal—whose
              the finest talents in the academic world and fur-      contributions have left an indelible mark on the
              ther strengthen the synergy between industry           global additives industry. Dr. Michael Rosenthal,
              and academia. He also elaborated on the efforts        who took over leadership of Baerlocher from his
              and thanked the individuals who contributed to         father, Dr. Christian Rosenthal, in 1980, is cred-
              the stringent selection process.                       ited with transforming Baerlocher into a global
                                                                     powerhouse, recognized for its innovation and
              The prestigious Dr. Michael Rosenthal Best             excellence. In recent years, the leadership baton
              Teacher Award was presented to Prof. Shashank          has passed to Dr. Tobias Rosenthal, whose dy-
              Mhaske, Head of the Department of Polymer En-          namic approach and focus on technology, digiti-
              gineering and Surface Technology. This award, a        sation and sustainability is set to further elevate
              tribute to Prof. Mhaske's unwavering dedication        Baerlocher’s position in the global market.
              to teaching and his significant contributions to
              polymer research, was bestowed by Chancellor           Baerlocher, a company with over two centuries
              Prof. J. B. Joshi. The audience applauded Prof.        of history, remains a global leader in polymer
              Mhaske's ability to inspire the next generation        additives, driven by its dedication to sustain-
              of engineers and his influential role in advancing     able practices and cutting-edge solutions. The
              the field.                                             awards named after Dr. Michael Rosenthal and


                 46   PLASTICS NEWS                                                                  October 2024
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