JU, JKSTIC organise workshop on core purpose of Biotechnology Park

Jammu, Nov 15: The School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu in collaboration with J&K Science Technology and Innovation Council, Department of Science and Technology, UT of J&K on Friday organized one day awareness program on the “Implementation of Biotechnology-Park” here in the Seminar-all of the department.

Director AcSIR and former Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, the chief guest, highlighted the priority being given to Science and Technology in the last ten years under the dynamic leadership of Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitender Singh. He also emphasised the need to quickly adapt and evolve according to the new challenges in order to be worthwhile for the future job market.

The upcoming biotechnology park at Kathua will provide a platform to up -skill the students and make them industry ready to be job providers.

Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean Life Sciences and Rector Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu- the Guest of Honour, emphasised Nature to be the biggest creator and as Human beings need to innovate more which he termed as “Navachar”. He mentioned about the challenges, importance and bottlenecks involved in the formulation of new products through innovation. He highlighted the young minds especially the Undergraduates for being better innovators provided their ideas are better communicated and channelized by good mentorship.

Earlier, Prof. Sanjana Kaul, Director School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, welcomed Prof. Manoj Dhar, Director AcSIR, Prof. Yashpal Sharma, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences,  Shruti Khanna, District Coordinator JKSTIC and guest speakers Dr.Swarkar Sharma, Associate Professor, Centre for Molecular Biology, Central University of Jammu and Prof. Lalit Mohan Gupta, Head Division of Forest Products and Utilization, SKUAST-Jammu.

She briefed the audience about the inception and the various activities being conducted by the School of Biotechnology. She emphasised on being job creators rather than seekers. Shruti Khanna also spoke about the mandate of JKSTIC and the role of Biotechnology- park in giving a platform to the students to sharpen their skills. Dr.Swarkar Sharma talk focused on invention and innovation and how innovation can revolutionize the existing concepts. Dr. Sharma gave a detailed overview of the process of innovation involving research, development, production, marketing and use. The incentives of Innovation like patents and copyright were also highlighted. The second speaker Prof. Lait Mohan Gupta talked about the use of Medicinal plants for commercial purposes and the support which the Government is providing in the agriculture sector. He also highlighted the various medicinal plants being grown in the J & K region with the help of the Government of India. The formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Sheetal Ambardar.

Others present on the occasion include Prof. Susheel Verma, Dr Suresh Rao, Prof Jyoti Vakhlu, Dr Ritu Mahajan, Dr Nisha Kapoor, Dr Yashpal Khajuria, Dr Ankit Mahajan, Dr. S. Bharthiraja, Scholars and Students of the University. Nitika Sharma carried out the proceedings of the event.