Prof. Saifur Rahman, Director, Alexandria Research Institute, Virginia Tech, USA and PES Distinguished Lecturer, on a business trip to Delhi, delivered the 'Fourth Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Lecture' on the topic ‘Energy Use and Global Climate Change'. The event was jointly organized by the PES-IAS Chapter along with EE Society of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at EE Dept. of IIT Delhi on August 11, 2000. Thirty Engineers from industries as well as academic institutions participated. Starting from the greenhouse effect due to emissions from fossil fuels he mentioned about the contribution from different sources and by region. The growth since industrial revolution and up to the present day was highlighted. In particular, Carbon-di-oxide emission from developed and developing countries was referred due to its long natural life. Climate change, its impact on other physical parameters around the globe, Kyoto Protocol, emissions trading with the developing countries by the developed ones vis-a-vis promoting energy efficiency and harnessing renewable enegy, etc. were the other issues that were covered.

Thereafter as a PES Vice President, Education / Industry Relations Activities, Prof. Rahman interacted with the Members and others present over there on the PES activities. He called upon the Power Engineers in particular to devote on R & D Works related to the changing needs of the time. In this context as an example, in the USA demand for emission related research as associated with the energy usage was mentioned.

The day’s activity for Prof. Rahman ended with a dinner with the Chapter EXECOM.