JAMMU: A One day extension lecture on the theme “National Educational Policy 2020 and Role of trainings, innovation, Business incubators and entrepreneurship activities in Biotechnology” was today organized by Department of Biotechnology, Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar.

Er. Ankush Varma, Coordinator, IIIM-TBI was invited as resource person of the event held under the guidance of Principal, Prof. Minu Mahajan.

Dr. Rahul Sharma, Head of Department (Biotechnology) introduced the idea and essence of New Education Policy, 2020 to the audience which primarily was composed of students of Biotechnology studying as per NEP, 2020 curriculum. He further introduced the resource Person who delivered a vibrant talk on the role of innovation and training programs provided by CSIR-IIIM TBI. Er.Varma emphasized on the role of skill development and its importance in the curriculum as per NEP, 2020 which aimed at holistic development of the students to become assets for the future India. He further explained the importance of Business Incubators specifically TBI for the Biotechnology students. Various role models in the field were discussed who have pitched their ideas, prototypes and designs at various platforms and received training and funding to establish their startups. Er. Varma explained the type of training programs for Biotechnology students currently running in CSIR-IIIM (TBI), methods to apply for such programs and certification the trainees obtain after successful completion of the training program. Various other activities like Hackathon were also discussed.

Students actively participated in the event and provided their deliberations about the training programs, present curriculum and need for further improvement in the current infrastructure.

Various faculty members of allied subjects like Dr. Yash Paul (Convenor, IQAC), Dr. Ashok Kumar (Biochemistry) and Prof. Swarn Singh (Botany) attended the lecture. Dr. Yash thanked the resource person for delivering a wonderful talk and wished for more collaboration with the CSIR-IIIM Technology Business Incubator.