Vistas in Biotechnology a poster competition was held at Pillai’s College of Arts, Commerce and Science (PCACS) by the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotech Association on 21st December, 2017.
The topics for this competition were wide open under the roof of Biotechnology and participants put up posters based Nanotechnology, Immunology and Virology etc.
The judges for this competition were Dr. Rishikesh Patilan Inspire faculty at ACTREC, Kharghar and Dr. C. K. Prashanth faculty member of Department of Biotechnology at PCACS. The judges were not only enthralled but amazed by the posters put up by the participants.
Vistas was inaugurated by Dr. Rishikesh Patil and the competition began at 10:00 a.m.
Students from colleges like IOS, Tilak, MGM and Jhunjhunwala participated for this competition making it a major success.
Looking forward for even more wonderful competition in the coming years.
A One Day State Level Seminar on “Role of Biotechnology in Sustainable Development” was organized by the Department of Biotechnology in association with, Biotechnology Association and Environment Analysis and Conservation team at Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science (PCACS), New Panvel, on 20th February, 2017 (Monday). Two hundred participants comprising students and 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. Dr. R.I.K. Moorthy, Principal of Pillai College of Engineering welcomed the gathering. Opening remarks were given by Prof. Gopakumar Pillai, Convener of the Seminar. Chief Guest, Dr. Siddhivinayak Barve, Director – Scientific Research Centre, KET’S V.G. Vaze College, Mulund delivered the keynote address on “Sustainable Development Biotechnology”. In his converse, the explained the current environmental issues that the world is facing and how Biotechnology can help solving these issues directing the nation towards Sustainable Development’. His lecture was very interesting, informative and motivating. The technical session on sustainable energy and agriculture started at 11.15 a.m. by Dr. Sandeep Joshi, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, PCE, New Panvel. He delivered the lecture on “Biofuel – Alternate Engine fuel”. He described the potential of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel as an alternative fuel which can address issues of greenhouse gases, emissions and help in climate change mitigation. The second speaker of the session Dr. Seema Mishra, Director – SIES Indian Institute of Environment Management, Nerul gave the lecture on “Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture”. In her talk, she discussed on the development of various biofertilizers and soil fertility improvement strategies to develop effective agriculture. The technical session on Bioenergy and Biodiversity began at 2.15 p.m. following lunch. The session commenced with the lecture of Dr. Shubhalaxmi Vaylure, Founder and CEO, Ladybird Environmental Consultancy LLP, Kharghar. She gave a lecture on “Mobile Applications for recording Urban Biodiversity”. The lecture covered the issues related to usage of the iNaturewatch Mobile apps for climate change studies, engaging students outdoors for environmental studies, and the potential of students as citizen scientists in urban settings. The second speaker for session on Bioenergy was Dr. Annamma Anil Odaneth, Assistant Professor of biochemistry form DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences, ICT, Matunga. Her lecture was on “Bioenergy production on sustainable development”. She discussed on biomass resources for bioenergy generation and the technologies used for the same, logistics of biomass collection and storage, its impact on biomass resources, economic development and overall dynamics.
The Valedictory session was held at 4.30 p.m. where, Dr. P. S. Goyal, Dean – R & D, PCE gave the concluding remarks emphasizing on the potential of Biotechnology in developing an effective healthcare. The seminar ended with distribution of certificates by Dr. Annamma and Dr. P. S. Goyal followed by Vote of thanks by the Convener, Prof. Gopakumar Pillai.
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.
Marathi Vangamaya Mandal celebrated Shiv Jayanti on 18th February, 2017. Dr. Gajanan Wader was honoured as a Chief Guest to grace the occasion. Many students actively participated in the celebration. They performed various traditional Maharashtrian dance forms such as Gondhal, Naman, Powada, lathi-kathi etc. They also performed skit on whole life of Shivaji Maharaj. An exhibition was arranged which had all the details relating to life of Shivaji Maharaj. Programme came to an end followed by performance of Naadsphurti Dhol tasha pathak. All the students and teachers participated in this event by wearing Maharashtrian attire.
The placement cell had conducted a campus drive for T.Y.B.Sc. Biotechnology course on 12th January, 2017. Lilac Insights is India’s leading provider of evidence based genetic services with a special focus in the area of Maternal and Fetal Health, Newborn Health and Oncology.
Following students from T.Y.BSc. Biotechnology have been selected by Lilac Insights Pvt. Ltd. in the campus interview:
- Mr. Ashwin Naidu
- Ms. Rutuja Yelmar
- Ms. Riddhi Jore
- Ms. Pallavi Jadhav
- Ms. Shruti Jadhav
- Mr. Shubham Bendre
The Biotechnology Placement Cell conducted a career guidance lecture on 16th August, 2016 for B.Sc. and M.Sc. Biotechnology students in 7th Floor Auditorium. Mr. Abhilash Das, an Alumnus of the college who is working as a Senior Production Executive in Reliance Life Sciences was the resource person. Prof. Padmaja Ghanti, Head of PCACS Placement Cell & Prof. Gopakumar Pillai, Biotech Placement in charge welcomed and introduced the guest.
Mr. Abhilash Das explained the students about ways to develop industry relevant skills and knowledge and motivated them to explore different avenues in the field of Biotechnology. He shared his experience in the area of Research and Production and also discussed about job prospects in Reliance Life Sciences and other companies he has worked earlier. He enlightened and guided the students in various career aspects where the students can aspire and initiate their career. The presentation and interaction of the speaker was very effective, wherein he showed many related visuals. The students interacted enthusiastically and the resource person answered their queries and cleared their doubts.
The session came to an end with a vote of thanks by Prof. Gopakumar Pillai and the student representative, Ms. Reema Shrivastava. Overall, the lecture was very informative and encouraging and was well perceived by the students.
Prof. Gopakumar Pillai
Biotech Placement In charge
The Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Association of Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science (PCACS), New Panvel, organized a State Level Seminar on “Nanobiotechnology and Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease Management” on 19th January, 2016 (Tuesday).
Three hundred participants comprising students & faculty members from different colleges including PCACS participated in the seminar.
The distinguished guests formally inaugurated the event at 10.30 a.m. by lighting the lamp. Dr. Daphne Pillai, Principal, PCACS welcomed the gathering. Opening remarks were given by Prof. Gopakumar Pillai, Convener of the Seminar. Chief Guest, Dr. Jayesh Bellare, Professor – Chemical Engineering, School of Biosciences & Bioengineering, IIT, Powai delivered the keynote address “Amazing Nanotechnology and its applications in health care and more…” In his converse, he explained the importance of Nanotechnology and its applications in health care. His lecture was very interesting, informative and motivating. The technical session on Nanobiotechnology started at 11.45 a.m. by Dr. Absar Ahmad, Senior Principal Scientist, NCL, Pune. He delivered the lecture on “Green synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials and their various applications”. He described the synthesis of various nanomaterials which has applications in healthcare. The second speaker of the session Dr. P. A. Hassan, Scientific Officer H & Head, Thermal & Interfacial Chemistry Section, Chemistry Division, BARC, gave the lecture on “Interfacial engineering of nanomaterials for drug delivery”. In his talk, he discussed microstructure and drug delivery aspects of various materials created via self-assembly in designing stimuli sensitive drug delivery systems. The technical session on Nutraceuticals began at 2.15 p.m. following lunch. The session commenced with the lecture of Dr. Rekha Singhal, Professor – Department of Food Engineering & Technology, Dean – Research, Consultancy and Resource Mobilization, ICT, Mumbai. She gave a lecture on “Nutraceuticals for joint health”. The lecture covered the basic reasons and types of disorders associated with joints, the conventional treatments and their limitations, and the nutraceuticals that have been investigated along with their relevant clinical studies reported across the world. The second speaker for session on Nutraceuticals was Dr. Mukesh Nandave, Associate Professor of Pharmacology Department form NMIMS, Mumbai. His lecture was on “Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease with Special Emphasis on their Roles in Cardiovascular Diseases”. He discussed the differences and similarities in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, their market place as well as roles in treatment and management of CVD.
The Valedictory session was held at 4 pm where, Dr. P. S. Goyal, Dean – R & D, PIIT gave the concluding remarks emphasizing on the potential of Nanobiotechnology and Nutraceuticals in developing an effective healthcare. The seminar ended with distribution of certificates by Dr. Rekha Singhal, Dr. Daphne Pillai & Dr. P. S. Goyal followed by Vote of thanks by the Convener, Prof. Gopakumar Pillai.
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.
Consortia – An Intercollegiate Biotechnology Fest on 16th January, 2016. view Brochure
