The School of Life Science and Biotechnology strengthens the existing academy industry interface with KPC Life Sciences, a reputed Contract Research Organization (CRO) at Kolkata, West Bengal. The collaboration initiated when scientists from Dr. KPC Life Sciences visited the Adamas University campus to conduct a workshop and hands on training on Real Time PCR under the BT-STAR 2019 program. In this program, more than 100 students enrolled in a two-day workshop which was followed by evaluation of the students. Based on performance, six candidates were awarded certificate of excellence and also the opportunity to participate in a national level symposium BT-STAR 2019 on 13th and 14th Nov 2019. The top candidates of the workshop were Nancy Jaiswal (B.Tech Biotechnology Sem III), Sampurna Nandi (B.Tech Biotech Sem III), Asmita Mukherjee (B.Sc. Microbiology Sem III), Samanwita Mandal (M.Sc. Biochemistry Sem I), Sanjay Sharma (B.Tech Biotech Sem I) and Nitin Bharadwaj (B.Tech Biotech Sem I). Five students were later invited as participants including Akash Mitra (M.Sc. Microbiology Sem III), Shatarupa Biswas (B.Sc. Microbiology Sem III), Shaurav Bhattacharya (B.Tech Biotech Sem V), Mani Kumari (B.Sc. Biochemistry Sem III) and Milan Suryadipta Das (B.Sc. Biotech Sem I) based on their performance. Earlier, two students, Debolina Chakraborty and Sasanka Debnath of B.Sc. Biochemistry Sem V were also selected to participate based on their performance for industrial training at Dr. KPC Life Science during June-July 2019. Dr. Joydeep Paul, Dr. Abinit Saha and Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee from the School of Life Science and Biotechnology accompanied the students in the program.
BT-STAR 2019 was held in Dr. KPC Medical College and Hospital, Jadavpur from 13th to 14th Nov 2019. Eminent speakers like Dr. Sujoy Das Gupta (Ex-Director, Bose Institute, Kolkata), Dr. Shyamal Roy (Dean, NIPER, Kolkata), Prof. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay (VC, Amity University, Kolkata), Dr. Maitrayee Bhattacharya (National Medical College, Kolkata) graced the occasion and delivered talk on technical issues, recent advancements and future scope of biotechnology. Posters were presented by the students of various institutes of the country. Five best posters were selected for the best poster award and Ms. Samanwita Mondal (M.Sc. Biochemistry Sem I) of Adamas University received one of the best poster award. She was also offered one-month free internship at Dr. KPC Life Science Pvt. Ltd. and based on the performance, she may be also offered a direct job-offer from the company. Most importantly, the award for ‘Best Participating Institute’ and ‘Highest number of participants’ was given to Adamas University, that was received by the faculty members on behalf of the School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University. Ms. Rima Roy, Research Scholar in the School of Life Science and Biotechnology received certificate of achievement for outstanding support.
The workshop at Adamas University followed by participation in the National level Seminar under the BTSTAR 2019 program not only enriched technical skills of students but also advance their knowledge, improve job prospects and a chance to earn accolades for the university. The School of Life Science and Biotechnology will continue to organize such Industry-Academia collaboration in the near future.
