JU in collaboration with J&K Science Technology, Innovation Council organises awareness on Biotechnology Park

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 organized one day awareness program on the “Implementation of Biotechnology-Park, Kathua” at the Seminar-hall of the department today. Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Director AcSIR and former Vice Chancellor University of Jammu who was the chief guest for today’s occasion highlighted about the priority being given to the Science and Technology in the last ten years under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jatinder 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. Biotech parks play a crucial role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the biotechnology sector. He underscored that Biotechnology-park will generate employment opportunities in research, development, and manufacturing, attract investments, create new businesses, and stimulate local economies. They can contribute to national GDP through research, development, and commercialization of biotechnology products. Biotech parks provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for cutting-edge research, foster collaboration among academia, industry, and government. Needless to mention facilitate the transfer of technology from labs to markets. Such a facility creates a talent pool of skilled professionals and bridge the gap between academia and industry. With the support from the State Science and Technology Department the Biotechnology sector can flourish and provide job opportunities to students. The upcoming biotechnology park at Kathua in this region will provide a platform to upskill the students and make them industry ready to be job providers. Prof. Yash pal Sharma, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences and Rector Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu who was the Guest of Honour emphasised, ‘Nature’ to be the biggest creator and as human beings we 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 that 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 the Chief Guest Prof. Manoj Dhar, Director AcSIR, Guest of Honour Prof. Yashpal Sharma, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences, Ms 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, faculty from other departments, scholars and students. She briefed the audience about the inception of the School and the various activities being conducted by School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu. She highlighted that the School has the State of Art facilities where Masters students and research scholars have the opportunity to get hands on expertise in various tools and techniques in the field. She emphasised the holistic curriculum being run in the School which makes a student market oriented and also with the changing scenario towards innovation and entrepreneurship  they could think of having their own startups so that they become  job creators rather than job seekers. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu for his unwavering support  to scientific activities being conducted in the University especially for encouraging interdisciplinary research. Ms Shruti Khanna 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’s 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. Prof. Lalit Mohan Gupta in his enlightening lecture created awareness  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 J&K region with the help of Government of India and ignited the young minds for startup culture. The formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Sheetal Ambardar, Assistant Professor, School of Biotechnology. Others present on the occasion included Prof. Susheel Verma, Head Department of Botany, Dr. Suresh Rao, Prof Jyoti Vakhlu, Dr. Ritu Mahajan, Dr. Nisha Kapoor, Dr. Yashpal Khajuria, Dr. Ankit Mahajan, Dr. S. Bharthiraja, Research scholars and students of the University. Ms. Nitika Sharma carried out the proceedings of the event.