Renowned Padma Shree awardees Prof Bamezai, Prof Madan address inaugural session
SRINAGAR, AUG 17 – Vice-Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Nilofer Khan on Wednesday inaugurated a national-level conference on ‘Reproductive Health and Disease’.
The day-long conference was organised by the varsity’s Department of Biotechnology under the aegis of the ICMR-Centre for Advanced Research.
Addressing a galaxy of academics and scientists, Prof Nilofer said such important conferences would offer newer insights to young researchers and students about the advancements made in the fields of reproductive health and disease which concern the wellbeing of the society at large.
She said undertaking societal research is one of the focus areas of the University of Kashmir to create a robust ‘research culture’ where interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research offers solutions to some of the pressing social and environmental issues that J&K is faced with.
“We look forward to this department, which is very important in our University, to undertake more national and international collaborative works,” she said.
Two world-renowned scientists—Padma Shree awardees Prof R.N.K Bamzai and Prof M.L. Madhan—were the guests of honour at the inaugural session.
In his special address, Prof Bamezai called upon academic institutions to pool resources and expertise to do ‘good science’.
“The responsibility of any society towards its future is to ensure physical, emotional, behavioural and social wellbeing of its citizens. Building a nation and its future therefore requires a reproductively-healthy society so that future progeny is a dividend, not a burden,” Prof Bamezai said.
In his keynote address, Prof M.L. Madan said today’s science means what you deliver to society and that’s what the current conference should look forward to conveying to young researchers and scholars.
Dean Academic Affairs Prof Farooq A Masoodi also spoke on the occasion and highlighted how scientists are “social assets” of a nation and why they must look to find answers to “problems that are ailing the society.”
Head Department of Biotechnology Prof Raies A Qadri delivered the welcome address and underscored the growth trajectory of the Department vis-à-vis academics and research.
At the inaugural session, the Department felicitated its former HOD and former Vice-Chancellor KU Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi for his “magnificent contribution in establishing the Department of Biotechnology as a world class facility for research and teaching, and for his contribution as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir.” A citation and a shawl were presented to Prof Andrabi, on behalf of the Department, by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan as a token of honour.
The inaugural session was attended by top varsity administrators and academicians including Dean Research Prof Irshad A Nawchoo, Registrar Dr Nisar A Mir, Dean Biological Sciences Prof Zafar A Reshi, Controller of Examinations Dr Majid Zaman, Dean of several faculties, heads of departments besides students and scholars,
Dr Rakesh Kumar from SMVDU presented a vote of thanks while Dr Arif Amin conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session.
