HWWE2007

The International Ergonomics Conference HWWE 2007 was held during Dec. 9 – 12, 2007 at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal.




The conference was inaugurated by Dr. David Caple, President, International Ergonomics Association. Dr. Nawab Ali, Deputy Director General (Engg.), ICAR, New Delhi was the chairperson in the inaugural session and Prof. Gajendra Singh, Vice Chancellor, Doon University, Dehradoon was the Guest of Honour. Dr. P. K.Nag, Director, National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad and President of Indian Society of Ergonomics and Dr. S. K.Tandon, ADG (Engg.) ICAR and Conference President were also present.

The speakers of inaugural session narrated their experiences ranging from daily life to specific professions where intervention of ergonomics and safety can bring about a great change in human life. Priorities and policies in national and international fronts were also elaborated.

The conference included presentations of research findings in 16 technical sessions, discussions on policy matters related to ergonomics and gender issues in two panel discussions, five plenary lectures and one special lecture by eminent professionals working in the field of ergonomics. The conference was attended by more than 150 delegates from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, USA and all parts of India. A large number of women delegates (about 50) also attended the conference to address issues related to comfort and safety of women workforce in all the walks of industry, especially agriculture.

Preceding the conference a pre-conference workshop on Ergonomics Methods was organized on Dec. 9, 2007. The workshop included five lectures, one equipment demonstration and two software demonstrations to make the budding ergonomics professionals aware of the established methodologies as well as innovations in the field.

Ninety technical papers were presented by delegates including five papers presented by masters students and eighteen papers presented by doctoral students. Prizes were awarded for the best student papers, and the prizewinners were:



Supriya Mer Masters Competition




Shweta Bodhake Masters Competition



Swati Pal Doctoral Competition



Bhaskar Gaikwad Doctoral Competition

Panel discussions were held on “Application of IEA/ILO Ergonomics Checkpoints in Agriculture” chaired by D Caple, President, IEA, and on “Women Empowerment through Ergonomics Application” chaired by Dr. Sudesh Gandhi, Professor, CCSHAU, Hisar

An exhibition of tools and instruments for ergonomics applications and ergonomically designed equipment was also organized during the conference. Nine organizations including industry and R&D laboratories displayed and demonstrated their products for mutual benefit.



Dr. Pratap Singh, Director Research, MPUAT, Udaipur and Chairman, QRT of AICRP on Ergonomics and Safety in Agriculture was the Chief Guest for the Valedictory Function held on Dec. 12, 2007. He presented his reflections about the conference and congratulated all the delegates for their keen interest towards making the life comfortable and safe for millions of industrial and agricultural workers. He encouraged all the participants to continue their endeavour for scientific and social advancement. The function was presided over by Dr. S. D. Kulkarni, Project Director, Soybean Processing and Utilization Centre, CIAE, Bhopal who urged for bridging the gap between scientific findings and applications. He indicated that concerted efforts by industry, R&D institutions, academicians, policy makers and extension agencies would only bring the desired improvement. Dr.G.G.Ray presented his views as secretary of the Indian Society of Ergonomics. Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Member Secretary of the Scientific Committee presented the proceedings of the conference while Dr.L.P.Gite, Project Coordinator, AICRP on ESA and Organizing Secretary of the conference presented the vote of thanks.

The participants were also exposed to Indian and local culture through entertainment programmes and local visits.



The next HWWE would be held at Viswakarma Institute of Technology, Pune on 22^nd to 24^th of December 2008, with a pre-conference workshop on the 21^st December 2008. Dr.L.P.Gite handed over the HWWE banner to the next Organizing Secretary, Dr. Shriram Sane.



Exhibition organised during HWWE 2007