BRIEF REPORT

INSPIRE Internship Programme

16-20, November,2011

Integral University, Lucknow

INSPIRE Internship Programme organized by Integral University, Lucknow

from 16th

November 2011 to 20th

November 2011

Brief Report

Integral University, Lucknow for the first time organized the Science camp of INSPIRE

Internship programme from 16th

November to 20th

November 2011. More than 100 colleges were

invited to nominate their students for the programme. There was great enthusiasm and organizing

committee had no problem to select the students as per the guidelines and merit criteria of the

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.

The five days programme was inaugurated by renowned scientist Prof. (Mrs) Dr Manju Sharma,

former Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India on 16th

November

2011. In her speech she emphasized the importance of biotechnological researches in all spheres

of life. Dr Manju Sharma delivered a talk on Career Option in Biotechnology and provided

information about the recent research programmes and job opportunities in different scientific

and industrial organizations. She advised the students to take up the new challenges of

biotechnological advancement for the growth and development of Indian economy.

Prof. D. K. Gupta, Vice Chancellor, CSM Medical University, Lucknow and Guest of Honour of

the programme mentored the students to face the problems and prospects of developing world

and use the scientific knowledge to make the country progress. He dealt in detail the various

aspects of career in medicine. Prof. S. W. Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of Integral University while

welcoming the chief guest informed the learned audience about the achievement of Integral

University in imparting the graduate, post graduate and doctoral level courses in different

disciplines of technical education e. g. engineering, business management, architecture,

biotechnology, education, pharmacy and medical to young and bright students through all India

competition. Prof Akhtar call upon the students to visit the different faculties, workshop, libraries

and laboratories of the University and advised the students to opt science for the betterment of

environment and human being. Organizing Coordinator of the programme Prof. A. K. Srivastava

presented the aims, objectives, schemes and importance of INSPIRE programme and informed

that during five days science camp, 150 students from 26 colleges of Lucknow, Hardoi,

Shajahanpur and Kanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh are participating in the programme. Senior

faculty members of Integral University, Prof. S. M. Iqbal, Chief Academic Consultant, Prof. T.

Usmani, Actg Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr I. A. Khan, Registrar and Dr. Q.S.Ahmad, Dean, Faculty

of Science interacted with the students and blessed them for their future career in science.

The programme was well supported by all the scientific and academic institutions of CSIR, DST,

ICAR, UP CST, UP RSAC, Biotech park etc located in and around Lucknow. Each day in

different session eminent scientist interacted with the students. Dr. C. S. Nautiyal, Director,

National Botanical Research Institute, Dr Ram Rajashekharan, Director, Central Institute of

Medicinal and Aromartic Plants, Dr. K. C. Gupta, Director, Indian Institute of Toxicology

Research, Dr. N.C. Mehrotra, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Dr. H.

Ravishankar, Director, Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Dr. J.K. Jena, Director,

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Dr. P. K. Seth, CEO, Biotech Park, Dr. M. K. J.

Siddiqui, Director, UP Council of Science and Technology, Dr. A. K. Tangri, Seniormost

scientist, UP Remote Sensing Application Centre, Mr. Samrendra Singh, Project Coordinator,

Regional Science City, Dr. Dhruv Sen Singh of Lucknow University and Prof. David L. Dilcher

of Indiana University, USA mentored the students and delivered lecture on different topics. Well

known scholars, Dr Anil Saxena, Dr P. K. Srivastava of CDRI, Dr. A. K. Goel of NBRI, Dr. C.

M. Nautiyal, Dr. Rashmi Srivastava, Dr. Deepa Agnihotri of BSIP, Prof. H. H. Siddiqui, Prof

Masihur Rahman of Integral University, Prof. Vibhuti Rai, Prof. A. K. Sharma, Prof. Y. K.

Sharma of Lucknow University, Prof. Anupam Dixit of University of Allahabad, Dr Huma

Mustafa of UPCST conveyed the basic and applied aspects of botany, zoology, geology,

medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, biotechnology, nanotechnology, biodiversity and

carbon dating/isotopic dating. The faculty members of the Department of Biotechnology of

Integral University provided theoretical and laboratory knowledge to students on bioinformatics,

microbiology, nanotoxicology, cell biology, tissue culture, molecular genetics, genetic

engineering, immunology, nanotechnology, fermentation technology etc.

In order to give first hand knowledge of research activities to students scientific excursions were

organized to the research laboratories of CIMAP and Biotech Park. UP Council of Science and

Technology and Regional Science City organized special programme of planetarium and

scientific display for the participants of INSPIRE Internship programme. Science quiz, science

debate and science cartoon programme were organized in the evening.

The course material of the programme was compiled as Biotechnological Advancement

containing the extended abstract on different aspects of Biotechnology. Souvenir volume

contained all the information about INSPIRE programme, eligibility criteria for different

schemes, guidelines, proforma and Registration form. The biographical details of Mentors,

Resource persons and Faculty members were also published. The scientific activities of different

laboratories of CSIR, DST, ICAR were included in the volume.

During the programme students had very good discussion and they freely discussed the basic

principle of science and suggested fantastic brilliant idea. For instance when Dr Jena was talking

about the fish biodiversity he explained the possibility of developing technique for designer fish,

one girl student asked is it possible to get rid of water pollution through the scientific

manipulation of fish exude? Mentor Dr Jena surprised and appreciated the wild idea and

informed to develop such project. Organizing Coordinator Prof. Srivastava expressed satisfaction

and pleasure for such interaction and said he will be satisfied if the programme has infused

scientific spirit and temperament in the young and energetic minds of students and hope that

participating students will bring laurels to Indian science. Well designed and well crafted

certificates and mementoes were distributed to all the students.

The programe was concluded with the emotional and farewell interactions of faculty members of

the university, teachers, principals and participating students with an understanding that students

are future stock for the development of science in India. Prof. A. K. Srivastava, Organizing

Coordinator on behalf of the Integral University extended the sincere thanks to the Convener and

members of INSPIRE Internship programme of Department of Science and Technology, New

Delhi for their help and cooperation.

A. K. Srivastava

Organizing Coordinator

INSPIRE Internship Programme

Integral University

Lucknow