Dr. Bastiaan Kiauta : Odonatologist and Polymath his Life, Works and Universe

Contents: Foreword. I. Orientation: 1. The family history and early childhood. 2. The under school-age period and the World War-II time (1941-1945). 3. In the “Entomology School” of uncle Cyril Azman (1943-52). 4. Period of the early friendship with Mathias Gogala (1943-1953). 5. Breakthrough into the community of adult entomologists (1949-1952). 6. Decision on dragonflies (1952). 7. The first steps in odonatology (1953). 8. Bastiaan’s first encounter with Professor Jovan Hadzi (1953). II. Research and Administration Management: 9. Beginning of the professional career in odonate cytogenetics and cytotaxonomy (1957). 10. New insights in odonate cytotaxonomy and cytophylogeny. 11. Research missions of The Netherlands Centre for Alpine Biological Research (N.C.A.B.R.) to the Nepal Himalaya (1972-1980). III. Global leadership and statesmanship: 12. Origin of Societas Internationalis Odonatologica (S.I.O.) — The ‘Family of Friends’. 13. The S.I.O. National/Regional Offices worldwide. 14. International Symposia of Odonatology. 15. Odonatologica– the backbone of the S.I.O. and dawn of a new era. 16. Worldwide odonatological periodicals of the S.I.O. and Dr Kiauta’s network. 17. Some non-odonatological organizations and their periodicals Influenced by (S.I.O.) or Dr B. Kiauta. 18. International Odonata Research Institute (I.O.R.I.). 19. A teacher, scientist and philosopher. 20. Societas Internationalis Odonatologica (S.I.O.) and International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources (I.U.C.N.). 21. Global mentorship. 22. Extraordinary correspondence between Dr B. Kiauta and odonatologists worldwide. IV. Real source of strength: 23. “Where is my wife?”. V. Evolution of science of odonatology: 24. Professor Bastiaan Kiauta – the phenomenon. 25. S.I.O. dichotomy or ‘speciation’ of a new confrerie, the ‘WDA’?. 26. The Kiauta-Corbet Era. 27. To India, with love. VI. In the service of God's own creations: 28. Engagement post-retirement. References. VII. Scientometry of Professor Dr. B. Kiauta's Publications, odonatologial awards, distinctions honours and other merits etc: Epilogue. Annexers.

Science provides an inexorable support to both the human and the nations' development. The great scientists have always provided inspiration by their findings, philosophy, and understanding of the world around us. They have inspired generations of young explorers, eager to learn more about the world and motivated toward betterment with constant efforts in the quest for knowledge. The life of Professor Dr B. Kiauta, Emeritus Professor of Invertebrate Cytogenetics and Cytotaxonomy, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, President of Societas Internationalis Odonatologica (SIO) and the Executive Editor of Odonatologica, is an open book of assiduous perseverance, focused application and great mentorship. There are indeed many examples of great scientists, or for that matter - odonatologists, in the history of science, but there are certainly absolutely inevitably very few who by their energetic character not only practically educate the budding researchers in habits of industry, but by the example of diligence and perseverance which they set before them, largely influence the scientific activity in all directions and contribute in a great degree to form the national character, or more precisely, the world order! This book, “Dr Bastiaan Kiauta: Odonatologist and Polymath – His Life, Works and Universe”, conveys a great lesson that nothing creditable can be accomplished without application and diligence. (jacket)