Current Programmes

4.        BIOTECHNOLOGY OUTREACH

Biotechnology is a priority area of the state govt.  Steps are thus being taken to promote its hi-end as well as grass root applications in the state.  In order to keep various stakeholders informed about applications of biotechnology relevant to the state of Punjab, the Council continues to take up outreach programmes.  The programmes organized in 2009-10 were: 

4.1      Popular Biotechnology Lecture Series

In order to create awareness on basic concepts, recent advances and applications of biotechnology among students and teachers of schools, colleges and general public,  a series comprising three popular biotechnology lectures is organised every year by PSCST.  This year, the 16^th Popular Biotechnology Lecture Series was organized on 18^th March, 2010 at Chandigarh College of Technology, Landran, Mohali.  The programme was supported by DBT-GOI.  Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Additional Director (Biotech), PSCST gave an overview of developments in biotechnology sector. Subsequently, three popular biotechnology lectures were delivered by experts viz. lecture on ‘Biotechnology & Food Production’ by Dr. S. K. Soni, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, ‘Food Safety & Standards – a perspective’ by Dr. Ajit Dua, Senior Scientist (Quality Management), Punjab Biotechnology Incubator and ‘Biotechnological interventions in post harvest processing’  by Dr. Alkesh, Senior Scientific Officer, PSCST.  The Lectures were followed by elaborate question answer session.   More than 250 students and teachers from the host as well as surrounding institutes participated in the programme.  A booklet titled ‘Biotechnological Interventions in Food Production, Processing & Safety’ (Eds. J.K. Arora & Dapinder K. Bakshi) covering all the above said aspects was also published and distributed to the participants.  

4.2.     Training & Awareness Programmes on Neem Biopesticide

            The Council organized 9 workshops / seminars; 25 public contact programmes and 3 radio talks in the year 2009-10 for promotion of neem based biopesticide in the State.   

4.3      Workshop on ‘Solid Waste management through Vermicomposting’ 

One day workshop on ‘Solid Waste Management through Vermicomposting was organized at Govt. Mahindra College, Patiala on 23^rd Feb, 2010. It was attended by about 100 science students and 30 faculty members.  Mr. Ajay Dewan, Project Associate, delivered a lecture & gave a practical demonstration on Solid waste management through vermicomposting. Further, a demonstration unit on vermicomposting was also set up in the botanical garden of the institute.

Contact Persons:
Dr. J.K. Arora, jkarora20@rediffmail.com