The Skill Development Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, in coordination with IQAC, University of Hyderabad, organised a one-day symposium on the BioE3 policy recently launched by the government of India to use biotechnology to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment generation. This symposium aims to create awareness among the post-graduate students who will be the future leaders of the scientific community in this country.
The symposium began with a brief welcome note by Prof. Suresh Yenugu, coordinator of the Skill Development Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, followed by an overview of BioE3 and its relevance by Prof. Anand Kumar Kondapi, Director, IQAC. The inaugural lecture was delivered by the Chief Guest, Prof. Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad who shared his thoughts about the importance of BioE3 and enlightened the audience with the opportunities that this policy holds for us.
The session was followed by a lecture delivered by one of the esteemed faculties of the School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, Dr Prajna Paramita Mishra, who shared her knowledge with the audience about the concept of Circular economy and a future of green growth with Net-Zero Carbon emission. Then Dr J. Sreenivasa Rao, a renowned scientist from the National Institute of Nutrition, delivered his lecture about Smart proteins and functional foods targeting the problems of malnourishment and insufficient diet and how biotechnology can solve these issues faced by the country for decades.
Following lunch, three of the eminent faculties of the School of Life Sciences delivered their lectures covering different research domains. Prof. B Senthilkumaran presented his work in fisheries research and the role of the gonads and the brain in fish sex selection. Prof. Santosh Padhi discussed biopolymers and Enzymes and their applications in our society. Dr. Moumita Sahay shed light on the carbon capture technology and its utilisation.
In the last session Dr Priyaranjan Pattanaik from Aurigene Labs, Hyderabad, shared his insights regarding Precision biotherapeutics. Dr Antony Adlagatta from CSIR-IICT delivered the penultimate lecture about high-value bio-based chemicals. The Valedictory lecture was by Dr Shaik N Meera, Director, ICAR-ATARI, who enlightened the audience about the significance of climate-resilient agriculture in these rapidly changing times.
The one day symposium had registrations from 250 participants (post graduate students only) from within and outside the University.