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Cradled in the lap of mountains at the foothills of auspicious Trikuta, besides the river Tawi at an altitude of 1030 ft. is Jammu. This 'city of temples' has many places...
3rd Advisory committee meeting of UGC-SAP II (DRS II) held at JU
In order to evaluate and monitor the progress of academic and research work in the identified thrust areas, and approve the expenditure made by the Department of Botany, University of Jammu during 2020-2021 under Special Assistance Programme SAP-II (DRS-II) of University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, a meeting of the Advisory Committee of UGC’s SAP-II in a hybrid mode was held at the University of Jammu under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Manoj K. Dhar.
Chairing the 3rd Advisory Committee meeting of the SAP, Prof Dhar expressed his gratitude and extended a formal welcome to the external experts and the UGC nominees, Prof. Madhoolika Agarwal from the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS), Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P), Prof. SubirBera from the CAS, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata and the local expert Prof. B S Bhau from the Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu, Samba (Jammu & Kashmir). He very fervently highlighted the rich academic and research legacy of the Department of Botany and appreciated the resilience and confidence shown by the present faculty and the research students of the Department. Prof Dhar in his remarks also apprised the UGC nominees of the recent initiatives undertaken under RUSA 2.0, curriculum reforms, and the SWAYAM. “Faculty and the research scholars are encouraged to envision the novel research ideas in their projects to continually realize international standards in thrust areas”, advised Prof Dhar, an accomplished molecular geneticist. He exhorted the faculty to fully utilize the infrastructural facilities created under RUSA 2.0 and the UGC-SAP II for steering ahead of the quality research.
Prof Yash Pal Sharma, the Coordinator of UGC-SAP-II, gave a detailed presentation of the various academic and research activities conducted by the Department of Botany and research achievements made by the Department under SAP-II (DRS II) programme approved by the UGC.
Joining on a virtual mode, Prof Madhoolika Agarwal from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, BHU, Varanasi appreciated the resolve and the unyielding courage of the faculty and research students for continuing their research in the face of the ongoing pandemic. “Working progressively under the prevailing challenge amply depicts the commitment and research firmament of the Department and this sets an example for others to follow” observed the world-renowned ecologist, Prof Agarwal. Prof SubirBera, an accomplished Paleobotanist from the University of Calcutta, Kolkata echoed the words of Prof Agarwal and expressed satisfaction on overall progress made by the Department in general and during the assessment period from April 2020-21, in particular. ‘The ongoing research projects and Your research publications in high impact factor journals are the indicators of the success of this programme for which the leadership of your Vice-Chancellor and the dedication of the faculty and research students is highly commendable’, said Prof Bera. He also enquired about the status of the herbarium acronym and the student participation in science communication and awareness initiatives of the Department. Prof. B S Bhau from the Central University of Jammu also shared his idea of collaborative research. Besides approving the annual progress report of the UGC-SAP II, all the experts gave some very valuable tips and suggestions for furthering the SAP activities in the following year.
The University Grants Commission, New Delhi has sanctioned a financial assistance of Rs. 85.50 lacs for five years (April 2018 to March 2023) to the Department of Botany to undertake research in broad thrust areas including Biodiversity: morphological and cytological, Documentation and cultivation of wild macro-fungi and Ecological studies of plant taxa under stress.
Prof Veenu Kaul, Head of the Department of Botany extended a formal welcome to the chairperson and the UGC expert committee members. Prof Namrata Sharma, Deputy Coordinator of the SAP-II programme proposed a formal vote of thanks. The meeting was attended by all the faculty members of the Department of Botany including Prof GeetaSumbali (Former Dean, Life Sciences) as the Special invitee.