The Faculty-Alumni-Network (FAN) and IIT Bombay jointly organized an International Workshop on Nanotechnology at IIT Bombay during January 6-8, 2005. The workshop had 21 high quality presentations from invited researchers from USA, Australia, Singapore and by IITB faculty. Over 160 participants attended this workshop. The oral presentations along with poster presentations at this workshop highlighting the research activities by IIT Bombay researchers were in the broad areas of Nanomaterials, Nanobiotechnology, and Nanoelectronics. The purpose of the workshop was to mainly identify specific areas where increased collaboration is possible between the FAN members and the IITB faculty.

         One of the major highlights of the workshop was a session on "Mumbai Initiative on Nanotechnology" chaired by Dr R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt of India with an inaugural address by him, followed by presentations by the directors of BARC, TIFR and IIT Bombay. In his address Dr Chidambaram highlighted the importance of Nanotechnology research for India, and how India can make a mark in this emerging field. He also highlighted the various national level initiatives for strengthening research in the area of Nanotechnology and the steps proposed in this direction. He specifically mentioned the recent initiatives by the Govt of India in setting up two Centres of Excellence for research in Nanoelectronics, with one of the centres being located at IIT Bombay. He also requested the FAN members to share their experiences with similar initiatives they have been involved in other countries, to shape up the national level programmes. At the end of the session, a "Charter for the Mumbai Nanotechnology Initiative" was signed by the three directors who expressed their willingness for strengthening their collaboration in the area of Nanotechnology.