The two day UGC-SAP sponsored National Seminar on “Plant and Microbial Sciences: Achievements and Way forward” successfully culminated here in the Department of Botany, University of Jammu this evening. On the occasion, Prof M K Dhar, former Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu was the Chief Guest while Prof R N Gohil a renowned Cyto-genetist and former Head of the department was the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Manoj Kumar Dhar expressed his views on the value education and its relevance in today’s world. He also appreciated the quality of research papers presented during the National Seminar and lauded the role of young researchers in taking the responsibility of future research endeavours. Many opportunities like BIULDER are at the doorstep of the University in which Departments will be organizing more such events in future. According to him, there are many other New Schemes with National Funding agencies which can be grabbed for continuing research by the Research Centers and Institutes of the country. He also lauded the contributions of Prof A. K. Koul, Prof M.C. Sharma and other senior faculty and congratulated the Department of Botany for organizing the National Seminar in a most professional way.

Prof R N Gohil in his remarks outlined the importance of collaborative research and hoped that Department of Botany, University of Jammu will definitely achieve newer heights under the dynamic leadership of the Vice Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai. Prof Gohil appreciated the work culture and the dedication of the faculty and research scholars of the Department of Botany. According to him the department is capable of getting more grants in future to carry out applied research. Prof. Namrata Sharma, Deputy coordinator SAP DRS II, said that with the generous funding by UGC under SAP (DRS II) Department was able to organize this seminar in the Department of Botany, University of Jammu. According to Prof. Sharma such funding procedures are always required by the institutes because this helps in strengthening of work culture and fetching good research publications.

Prof. Susheel Verma, Organizing Secretary of the seminar while presenting the detailed report informed that more than 50 abstracts of the research papers in the form of keynote lecture, memorial lecture, invited lectures, oral and poster presentations were received for the seminar out of which 5 invited talks, one Prof. Irshad Ahmed Hamal Memorial Lecture, 15 oral presentations and 30 poster presentations were made during these two days proceedings. Some of the important invited lectures were delivered by Prof. M.K. Dhar, from University of Jammu, Prof. Absar Ahmed, from Aligarh Muslim University, Dr.  Kanad Das, Scientist from Botanical Survey of India, Dr. Jatindra Thakur, Scientist from ICGEB, New Delhi, and Dr. Sumit Girola scientist from CSIR-Indian Institute of Medicine, Jammu.

Earlier, Prof. Veenu Kaul, Head, Department of Botany extended a formal welcome to all the dignitaries and guest delegates to the valedictory function. Dr. Harish Chander Dutt proposed a formal Vote of thanks. The proceedings of the Seminar were conducted by Dr. Madhu Raina, Assistant professor of the Department of Botany.

Later, the awards and certificates of merit were distributed amongst the winners in the oral and poster presentation categories by the chief guest and the guest of honour. Dr. Sikander Pal, Dr Geeta, Dr Skarma, Prof. Anima Langer, Prof. Geeta Sumbali, Prof. Faisel, Dr. Mahroof amd Dr. Tajinder were also present on the occasion