Pillai College Of Arts Commerce And Science’s Nature Club organized an Event on 27th and 28th September 2018 where they drew paintings in the Panvel Railway Station Premises. This was the most appraised event by the local train commuters. In this event, the involvement of the Railway Station authorities was also observed. Various paintings with a theme of Swatchha Bharat were made by the members of the club to convey a message of cleanliness and keeping the Railway Premises clean.
A social activity was conducted by the Department of Bachelors of Mass Media of Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Panvel on the 19th September, 2018.
The social activity comprised of a street play performed to emphasize the importance of Road Safety. It highlighted the issue of wearing helmet by the two-wheeler riders and pavilion riders, as well. The skit was performed by the students under the supervision of the faculty in the atrium area of the campus at 10:15 a.m., during the break. It showcased the difference in the scenario of a road mishap by the simple presence of a helmet. It was a worthy effort and an effective measure to spread road safety awareness.
Pillai College has always promoted the various human arts; and this was proved once again, when the Marathi Vangmay Mandal organised a Debate Competition in Marathi language on 11th September, 2018.
The term Vangmay Mandal in Marathi means a literature association. In a time where English dominates other languages, it was nice to see support for the Marathi. The event was well received, with 8 teams of students participating. Various social topics were given to them for the debate. The topics selected were relevant to current social issues in life. The event was judged by Mrs. Prajakta Kane. The format of the competition was an interactive session, where every student was given a chance to put across their points. Certificates were awarded to the winners and runners-up participants.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Association of Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science (PCACS), New Panvel, organized a National Level Seminar on “Recent trends in Biotechnology” on 8th September, 2018 (Saturday). One hundred and ninety six participants comprising students & faculty members from different colleges including PCACS participated in the seminar.
The distinguished guests formally inaugurated the event at 9.30 a.m. by lighting the lamp. Ms. Deepika Sharma, Vice Principal, PCACS welcomed the gathering. Opening remarks were given by Prof. Meenakshi Johri, Convener of the Seminar.
Dr. Ambak Kumar Rai, Assistant professor, Department of Biotechnology at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad delivered the Key note address on “Horizon of host-pathogen interactions: An off beat approach of Leishmania in modulating the host response and favoring its own survival. He spoke about the disease Visceral Leishmaniasis, which is tropical disease caused by sand flies. The life cycle of the parasite Leishmania donovani was explained by him. He also spoke about the symptoms seen in the patients. The approach towards getting the host immune system to function normally along with drugs was also told by him. After his talk the students interacted with him. His lecture was very interesting and informative.
The first technical session was started by Dr. Aparna Choudhari who is the Principal Scientist & Head in Fish Genetics and Biotechnology division at ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries education, Versova, Mumbai. Her talk was on “Current molecular approaches for disease prevention and control”. She began her talk with the concept of vaccines and the different types of vaccines available. She also spoke about why vaccines are important for fishes just like humans. The approaches of different vaccines designed for fishes till now was explained by her. The methods used for vaccinating the fishes and the results obtained was also told by her. Apart from that she advised the students to take proper care while disposing different chemicals and solutions as they affect the marine life. The session was then open for interaction where students and teachers interacted with her.
The next speaker in the first technical session was Dr. Prasenjit Bhaumik, Associate Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay. His talk was about “Molecular insights into the catalytic mechanism and allosteric co-operativity of an enzyme”. He began his talk by explaining what is an enzyme and about enzyme-substrate reaction. He then spoke about a specific enzyme Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). The structure of the enzyme was explained by him with a 3D structure diagram. He explained in detail the conformation of the enzyme when bound to the substrate, inhibitor, co-enzyme and reaction intermediates based on his study.
The second technical session began at 2.00 p.m. following lunch. The session commenced with the lecture of Mr. Prasanna Rao, Cheif operating officer, Sampurn(e)arth Environment solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. He spoke about “Waste Management Solutions by Biotechnology”. He began his session by explaining the concept of waste and how is it generated. He told the audience about why nothing on the planet is waste including plastic. He showed an AV about how can we return what we take from the nature with the help of an example of biogas production. He also told everyone how they can contribute in helping reduce the waste generated by separating the waste as dry waste and wet waste. The dry waste goes for recycling whereas the wet waste can go for biogas production and the remaining waste from this production can be used as compost.
The Valedictory session was held at 3.30 p.m. where, Dr. C. K. Prashant, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, PCACS gave the concluding remarks. The seminar ended with distribution of certificates by Mr. Prasanna Rao, followed by Vote of thanks by the Convener, Prof. Meenakshi Johri.
The students and faculty members were very interactive throughout the lectures. The seminar received a good feedback form the audience. Overall the seminar was very encouraging and was well appreciated by the guests, students and faculty members.
The Research and Development Committee Students’ Wing conducted the ‘Second Orientation’ of Avishkar 2018-19. It was held on 4th September, 2018 in the Conclave. The In charge faculty of the same is Dr. Seema Somani. She guided the students on the levels in Avishkar Competition. The event was attended by the participants of category C1, C2 and C5. Dr. Somani briefed the students on the format in which they have to prepare the posters for the poster round. She exhibited the previous year’s best posters for a better understanding of the students. The format of the PowerPoint presentation was given and the making of the abstract was discussed by her. The dates of the competition were disclosed in the event. The students’ queries were answered by her and a complete brief about the competition was given. The previous year’s participants were called to share their experience at Avishkar 2017-18. Ms. Jacqueline and her teammates shared her experience with the judges at the main event. It was an interactive session where the queries of the participants were answered and tips and tricks were shared by the previous year’s participants and teacher.
The N.S.S. Unit in association with Panvel Municipal Corporation initiated Swachh Survekshan in the campus on 4th September, 2018. The Swachh Survekshan is an annual exercise by the ministry of urban development to measure the progress of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014. The initiative was organized in the presence of Ms. Madhupriya, Additional Commissioner, Panvel Municipal Corporation. Around 800 students downloaded the app and with this provision students can post a complaint of garbage pile-ups and mismanagement by taking a picture and posting it through the app. The app captures the location and forwards it to the concerned city-corporation after which it is assigned to the concerned ward-level sanitary inspector. students can also check the status of their complaint.
N.S.S. unit in association with the Marrow Donor Registry India (MDRI) organized Stem Cell Donors Camp in the College on 4th September, 2018. 130 stem donor registrations were done which included teaching and non-teaching and students form Pillai College Arts, Commerce and Science. Students were also oriented about Stem Cell Donor Registration one day prior to the camp.
A Training and Placement Officers’ Meet was held on Friday, 31st August, 2018. The event was conducted by IBS, Powai. The event was attended by Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Placement Cell Head, Mrs. Padmaja Ganti and the Placement Coordinator. It was a Workshop for the officers that was held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The topics covered were Skill development, student partnership, current situation and statistics, tests conducted, group discussion, soft skills, grooming sessions and communication skills. This workshop was also conducted in various regions in Navi Mumbai was found very helpful by the people who attended it.
Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science conducted a Seminar in Banking and Civil Services on Thursday, 30th August, 2018.
Competitive Exam Center of PCACS came up with an idea of catering to the diverse needs of students and is the first College in Navi Mumbai to do so. The seminar was led by Prominent Speakers in the field of Banking and Civil Service, which enriched the students by the knowledge provided by them. Mr. Murali, a retired Chief Manager of State Bank of India, provided insights about opportunities in Banking industry, recruitment process, brief on Aptitude Test process, promotion and transfer and salary and perks. Mr. Prathamesh Gholap, ranked 18th in MPSC exam and was successful in triggering the needed momentum and motivation among students.
Adding to it Mr. Vijay Gupta, a well-known UPSC mentor, encouraged students to appear for Civil Service exam. It was an interactive session, wherein the queries of students were answered. An approximate of 250 students actively participated in the seminar.
The NSS unit jointly with ALERT India organized Leprosy Education, Rehabilitation and Treatment Campaign on 30th August, 2018.
The thrust of this campaign is to promote students participation to reduce stigma and discrimination against leprosy, enhance early case reporting and reduce leprosy related disabilities. Donor cards were issued to the students.