GANDERBAL: Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), organised a one-day workshop on “Engineering Smart Polymeric Scaffolds and Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications” under the Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) component of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), here Thursday.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, emphasized that interdisciplinary research, innovation and skill-oriented education are indispensable for addressing contemporary healthcare challenges and advancing biomedical sciences. “Higher educational institutions must create ecosystems that promote research, intellectual property generation and translational science capable of delivering tangible societal benefits,” Prof. A Ravinder Nath said. Elaborating on the scientific significance of polymeric biomaterials and nanotechnology, he observed that these emerging technologies hold immense promise in targeted drug delivery, biosensor development, cancer therapeutics and regenerative medicine. He said the workshop aligns with the vision of the NEP-2020, which advocates multidisciplinary education, research excellence and skill development. He explained that successful interdisciplinary initiatives evolve gradually through workshops, curriculum development, faculty capacity building and research infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, highlighted the significance of multidisciplinary collaboration in modern scientific research. He observed that contemporary breakthroughs in healthcare are increasingly emerging from the convergence of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and computational sciences. Referring to the workshop theme, he said the invited resource persons represent diverse yet interconnected domains of expertise, providing participants with an excellent opportunity to understand how collaborative research is transforming biomedical sciences. He urged young researchers to adopt interdisciplinary approaches and establish research collaborations as such partnerships are essential for translating scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions.
Earlier, in his inaugural address, Dean, School of Life Sciences, Prof. Abid Hamid Dar, underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research in solving complex scientific and societal problems. He maintained that scientific research must not remain confined to laboratories but should ultimately contribute to societal welfare and human well-being. He said the administration under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath is actively working towards strengthening research infrastructure.
In his welcome address, Asst Prof. Deptt of Biotechnology and organising Secretary of the workshop, Dr. Anil Chandra, who also conducted the programme proceedings, said the initiative aims to disseminate scientific knowledge, strengthen research awareness and create meaningful interactions between leading scientists and young researchers. He said the workshop would provide participants with valuable exposure to emerging research areas, encourage scientific inquiry, foster innovation, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among young researchers.
After the inaugurals, Dr. Anil Chandra, Dr. Faheem Arjumand Sheikh, Deptt of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir, Dr. Tariq Maqbool, Dr. Mudasir Bashir Gugjoo, SKUAST-Kashmir, and Mr. Manish Amin, Director, Avay Biosciences, delivered lectures during the technical session.