SRINAGAR: Sri Pratap (SP) College, in collaboration with the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and JKScientists, hosted a landmark one-day national event, Science Beyond Classroom: Career Development and Academic Excellence. The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world scientific exploration, bringing together leading scientists, educators, and students for an interactive day of discussions, mentorship, and research insights.
The event featured eminent scientists, including Prof LS Shashidhara, Director of NCBS, and Dr Mubarak Hussain Syed, President of JKScientists, who delivered keynote lectures on fundamental biological principles and the transformative role of mentorship in shaping scientific careers. Led by Dr Ghulam Hassan from SP College, the event attracted over 200 students and 50 faculty members, offering them a rare opportunity to engage with distinguished experts in various scientific fields. Attendees interacted with scientists such as Padma Shri awardee Prof Sujatha Ramdorai, a mathematician from the University of British Columbia, Dr Abhilasha Joshi, a systems neuroscientist at NCBS, Prof Raj Ladher, a developmental neuroscientist at NCBS, and Dr Ajaz Wani, a Wellcome Trust scientist from Kashmir University. Other notable speakers included Prof Hema Somanathan, a behavioural ecologist at IISER Trivandrum, Dr Mehreen Khaleel, a primatologist and founder of the Wildlife Research and Conservation Foundation, and Mr Srinivasan Ramodrai, Executive Director at CMS Infosystems. Dr Mubarak Hussain Syed, a neuroscientist at the University of New Mexico, also spoke about the role of JKScientists in mentoring young researchers.
The presence of JKS-NCBS scholars, who had previously interned at NCBS, provided an additional layer of mentorship, allowing students to engage with young researchers and explore avenues for their scientific growth. The session began with opening remarks by SP College Principal Prof Farooq Mir, followed by a series of insightful presentations. Prof Shashidhara and Dr Syed led discussions on molecular biology, mentorship, and scientific career trajectories. Dr Syed underscored JKScientists’ longstanding commitment to nurturing scientific talent in the region. Several notable talks followed, including Dr Ajaz Wani’s presentation on chromatin biology, Prof Sujatha Ramdorai’s discussion on number theory, Prof Hema Somanathan’s exploration of honeybee behaviour, Dr Abhilasha Joshi’s insights into memory and movement biology, Prof Raj Ladher’s research on inner ear development, Mr Srinivasan Ramodrai’s discussion on the future of IT and AI, and Dr Mehreen Khaleel’s work in conservation biology. Students described the event as a transformative learning experience, with discussions spanning diverse fields and inspiring them to pursue research careers.
Parallel sessions were conducted for faculty members, where experts, including Prof Shashidhara, Prof Raj Ladher, and Prof Sujatha Ramdorai, discussed the New Education Policy, student engagement strategies, and funding opportunities. A major highlight was the introduction of the Outstanding Educator Awards, recognising exceptional faculty contributions to education and scientific outreach. The recipients included Syedah Noorul Sabah from SP College, Dr Nuzhat Gull from Government Degree College Sumbal, Dr Ajaz U Haq Wani from Kashmir University, and Dr Ummer Zargar from Government Degree College Duroo Anantnag.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Prof Wilayat Rizvi, Registrar of Cluster University, and Dr Ghulam Hassan from SP College. JKScientists expressed gratitude to all speakers, particularly those who travelled from afar, and emphasised the importance of continued scientific collaboration. SP College and JKScientists have a history of organising impactful educational initiatives. JKScientists reaffirmed the need to enhance research infrastructure in the region and advocated for the establishment of an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Jammu and Kashmir. They also discussed training programmes for local faculty at national research institutions. Dr Syed highlighted the potential of Kashmiri students, stating that they are hardworking, motivated, and capable of becoming transformative leaders if provided with the right resources and mentorship. He reiterated JKScientists’ commitment to “Leading by Serving”, ensuring sustained efforts to nurture scientific excellence in the region.
The conference was generously supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Jammu and Kashmir (JKST&IC), which provided Rs 75,000. This financial assistance was instrumental in arranging conference kits for participants, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all attendees.
