Three Days National Workshop organized by Dept. of Zoology in collaboration with Eppendorf India and by a team of researchers from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai culminated today. The valedictory evening session was addressed by Prof. Nighat Fatima, Principal of the college who emphasized on the need of practical hands on training and specialized skill-based workshops for the students and also commended the efforts of organizing committee members Dr S.M. Zubair, Asstt. Professor, GDC Bijbihara and Dr Albeena Nisar, DBT Scientist and team members of Eppendorf, India Mr Sudhakar Mathur, Zonal Director, Eppendorf India and Dr Neha Nair, application scientist Eppendorf as well as the team members from Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai Dr Rohit Kumar, Post-Doctoral Scientist and Ms Deepali Pandit, Quality Control Specialist.

The last evening session was filled with an inspiring session with Cancer kid survivors and Dr Faisal Guru, Paediatric oncologist, SKIMS highlighted the work done at the Department of Medical Oncology for the paediatric unit. It was an interactive session where the cancer survivors narrated their stories that inspired the student followed by a musical entertainment for cancer survival kids. The training was a success because of the commendable support of Principal Prof. Nighat Fatima.

This was the first of its kind training program conducted in Kashmir. The program was specifically designed for undergraduate students with a focus on improving the practical and technical skills of the students. The theme of this workshop cum training was Cell Culture & Molecular Biology: Techniques & Instrumentation. This workshop was organized to encourage skill specialization in the under graduate life science students (basic sciences, paramedical, nursing and all related streams). On the first two days i.e. 15th & 16th, hands on training on several topics of Cell and Molecular Biology like Liquid System handling, Flow cytometry, Restriction Enzyme Digestion/Cloning experiments, DNA Isolation, Electrophoresis (DNA & Protein) were covered. A total of 800 participants had registered for the workshop and around 120 participants attended the workshop offline physically at the college amid following COVID 19 SOPs. As mentioned by Dr Albeena Nisar, many researchers like her, look forward to such collaborations with other institutes in J&K to contribute to the educational set up further and help tap the potential of students in the best possible way for ahead. On the third day, 17th March, the theme was Carrier Opportunities after a Science Degree and it began with a brain storming morning session with several experts from Research, R&D industry, Academic Writing, Academic (Govt/Non Govt)., some of them attended virtually and many were present offline including Dr Wajid, Research Scientist at University of Michigan.

This workshop should serve as a template and as a path making lead for organising similar workshops in other colleges and universities across UT J&K and this was emphasized by Prof Nighat and the organising committee with the help of Kashmiri research & academic community outside the state and the global companies who are willing to contribute to such trainings for the students.

Mr. Noman Student of 5th semester delivered a vote of thanks to all the experts, Principal Prof. Nighat, the Organisers Dr Zubair and Dr Albeena and the feedback from all the students were to have more and more similar workshops. Prof Nighat applauded the efforts of all the team members of the college, towards such events with a promise to push for similar platforms in the coming year.