The year-long Silver Jubilee celebration of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Tezpur University started with much enthusiasm.
The year-long celebration was inaugurated on Saturday (July 24) as the department was established on July 24, 1997.
The online programme was attended by a host of members associated with the department including former and current faculty members and students, many of whom are now well established in academics and industries in various parts of the country and abroad.
The programme started with the University anthem followed by the welcome address by the Head of the Department, Prof. Robin Doley.
Inaugurating the programme, Prof. VK Jain, Vice Chancellor of the University, mentioned about the recognition and the academic successes that the department has achieved over the years.
The VC expressed satisfaction over the fact that the department has been successful in securing extramural funds from various national agencies.
He hoped that the department would continue to work towards finding solution to societal needs, particularly, in two areas – climate-resilient agricultural practice and waste management and biofuel where the Department could significantly contribute in the future, said statement of Tezpur University.
“As the silver jubilee celebration of the department coincides with the 75 years of Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav, Prof. Jain suggested the department to organize certain common programs related to these great events,” said the statement, issued by Rajeev K. Doley, chairperson, media cell, Tezpur University.
Prof. Debajit Hazarika, Dean, School of Sciences, and Dr. Biren Das, Registrar of Tezpur University, also shared their thoughts during the event and recalled how the department grew from a humble beginning and now has become one of the leading centres of the country in molecular biology and biotechnology research.
The chairman of the organizing committee, Prof. BK Konwar informed the audience that the department had a plan to celebrate this proud moment with various academic and outreach activities throughout the year.
The founding Head of the Department Prof. AK Buragohain expressed his gratitude to all involved in the establishment of the department.
All former heads of the department also shared their thoughts and experiences in the meeting.
While presenting the Vision and Mission of the department, Prof. Robin Doley maintained that the department could achieve a number of national recognitions by dint of the constant hard work by the faculty members and the students and also with certain best practices followed in the department.
He stressed that the department would strive towards generating trained manpower for the nation and for the benefit of society, specially through its biotechnological research programs.
Several former faculty members and alumni of the department shared their experiences during the event.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Prof. M Mandal.