Amritsar, June 13, 2022 (Yes Punjab News)
The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of Guru Nanak Dev University organized Prof. I.S. Grover Memorial Lectureship Award which has been instituted under MoU between Guru Nanak Dev University and Dr. Avinash Kaur (Professor Retd.). Prof. Avinash Kaur Nagpal apprised that this award was instituted in the name of Late Prof. I.S. Grover, Founder Head, Department of Botany and Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, GNDU, to pay tribute to all her teachers.
This Award is meant to honor eminent scientists in the fields of plant and environmental sciences as well as to give exposure to students about the cutting edge research being carried out by leading scientists of the nation. Prof. Jatinder Kaur, Head of Department welcomed the guests and gave brief overview of achievements of the department.
Professor Saroj Arora, coordinator of the event, introduced the Lectureship Awardee. This year, the award was conferred upon an Eminent Scientist in the field of Plant Sciences, Prof. (Dr.) Amrik Singh Ahluwalia who delivered lecture on the topic “My journey with photoautotrophs”. The award consisted of cash prize of Rs. 20,000/-, a plaque and a certificate.
Prof. Ahluwalia highlighted the importance of different forms of blue green algae in space as single cell protein, as source of energy in the form of biofuels, medicine, for phytoremediation and as nutraceutical.
His lecture has opened new vistas to overextend and substantiate the algal research to be taken up further for the benefit of society. His discourse on minute algal forms motivated the young minds to explore the nature for its further applications in modern and challenging areas of research like forensic sciences.
Prof. Sarabjot Singh Behl, Dean Academic Affairs, presided over the function. He stressed that these organisms which seem to be waste for the common man are having so much role and potential to purify the environment as well as can be used for the welfare of human beings.
He appreciated the contributions of the scientists to project the hidden values of these organisms and present it in to useful form. He also encouraged the researchers of the department to pursue further research in this field applying molecular tools.
Prof. Satwinderjeet Kaur offered vote of thanks while Prof Rajinder Kaur coordinated the stage. Prof. Hardeep Singh, OSD to Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Harmohinder Singh Nagpal and Dr. Tejinder Kaur Nagpal from Hartej Nursing Home, Dr. Jagmeet Singh Nagpal of Avimeet Dental Clinic and Dr. G. S. Virk (Retd. Prof.) graced the occasion with their presence. All the faculty members of the department and other departments of life sciences were also present.
