Online guest lecture on "Chemical nature, physiological functions and abnormalities of hormones in Invertebrates" on 28 December, 2021

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, BFC organized an online guest lecture on "Chemical nature, physiological functions and abnormalities of hormones in Invertebrates" on 28 December, 2021 (11:30 AM) through Microsoft Teams. The main objective of this lecture was to provide an understanding the structure, classification, mechanisms of action and biological effects of all main hormones in organisms among students which help them in their academic career. The speaker for the session was Dr. Anil Kumar, Professor, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Sandeep and Dr. Sunil were the coordinators of this online session. The session was attended by the Faculty of Agriculture and the Faculty of Chemistry.

Dr. Deepika Bhatia (Asst Prof.), Dept of Biotechnology, welcomed and introduced the guest speaker. Dr. Anil started the session by highlighting the importance of hormones in invertebrates. He focussed on two major classes of Invertebrates: Insects and Crustaceans and informed that Invertebrates make up for over 95% of the earth's animal species, with 1.25 million species identified so far.

He further highlighted that some invertebrate endocrine systems are well suited for testing chemicals and environmental media because of the ease of using certain species, their sensitivity to toxic chemicals, and the broad choice of models from which to choose. The speaker explained that such assays can be useful in identified endocrine disruptors to protect invertebrate population. He also informed that hormone systems are found in all animal phyla, although the simplest animals may have only rudimentary endocrine systems, whereas invertebrate endocrine systems use a variety of hormones, including steroids, peptides, simple amides, and terpenes.

Dr. Anil Kumar also discussed industrial applications resulting from research on crustaceans such as Chitosan (N-acetyl-d-glucosamine plolymer) which are used for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, wound healing, and other conditions, however, there is little scientific evidence to support many of its uses. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, chitosan is used as filler in tablets, to improve the way certain drugs dissolve.

Dr. Anil Kumar's presentation covered the endocrine systems of some animal phyla in detail. He informed that the endocrine systems of only a few species are well known till date. The session summarized the endocrine systems of the two invertebrate classes Insecta and Crustaceans. At the end of session, the students interacted with the speaker and asked questions that were answered by Dr. anil Kumar.

The session ended by a vote of thanks by Dr. Zaved Ahmed Khan (Dean, Faculty of sciences, BFC). He expressed his gratitude and thanked Dr. Anil for sparing his time for this online session. Dr. Deepika Bhatia thanked the expert speaker and all students and faculty members who joined the session. She also facilitated the interaction of the faculty members with Dr. Anil so that he can guide them and shared his valuable experience in teaching and research. The feedback for the session was very positive and students requested more session of this kind.

Online Alumni Meet on 28th Aug, 2021

Faculty of Sciences in association with Almuni association of Baba Farid College organized "online Alumni Meet" for Year 2019 and 2020 passout students of B.Sc. (Non-Medical, Medical, Biotechnology, CSM), BCA, PGDCA, M.Sc. IT, M.Sc. IT (LE), M.Sc. Physics, M.Sc. Zoology, M.Sc. Botany, M.Sc. Chemistry, M.Sc. Mathematics on dated 28th Aug, 2021. It was a wonderful event for the students to refresh their memories. Dr. Tejinder Singh(Head, Department of Computer Science) welcomed all the alumni for responding to the invitation from college and being present for the alumni meet in spite of their busy schedule. Each one of the alumni shared their memories. This was followed by speeches by alumni from different batches. All Heads of the concern departments were present there and they shared their views with alumni. The event managed by An alumna Mr. Bishroop Dutta, Co-coordinator, Alumni association of Baba Farid College. He is also working as Assistant Professor in department of chemistry, BFC.

The event was stimulating and enjoyable as well as students learned a lot as all members shared their new ideas and information. Alumni also express their views regarding necessities of skill in students for fulfilling the demand of industry and expressed how BFC helped them to get a good job.

Nazia, Supreet, Tammana alumni of Biotechnology department Shared their views regarding golden memories of college. Tammanna Also shared moments of trip during college life and she Thanked all the teachers of department for their guidance.

Paras, alumna of Computer Science department who is working in Deloitte Company, said that BFC is a best college in northern region because he got wonderful experience of earning by learning projects at the time of study in BFC. He praised the teachers and said that teachers are our second parents. Anu, Ronica Alumni of Computer Science department also shared their views.

Kirti, Alumna of Physics department who is working in Infosys company, shared her unforgettable moments of class environment, cultural and sports activities. She praised teaching methodology of teachers of physics department. Rekha, Sania, Navneet Alumni of Physics department also shared their thoughts of college life.

Sukhdeep Alumna of Mathematics shared her views regarding experienced teachers of college and their valuable guidance.

Many other alumni of Baba Farid College also shared their views towards their teachers and Baba Farid college. Most of them are working in top Software companies, Industries in India and in other countries. They expressed that how the working experience of live projects helped them to understand industrial environment in advance for getting a good job. They appreciated the placement and cultural activities of college for building of confidence. Most of the students talked about how practical exposure in BFC helped them to get a job.

The session was concluded by the vote of thanks by Dr. Ritu Pawan(Head, Department of Biotechnology), BFC to all the alumni present in the meeting.

The Principal, Baba Farid College appreciated the efforts of Alumni association and congratulates them for this successful meet. The event was a great success in its prime motive of connecting alumni.

Webinar on Genetics: Current Scenario and Future Prospective

Department of Biotechnology and Department of Sciences (Medical), Faculty Sciences, Baba Farid College, BFGI Bathinda continued online students Expert - Interaction programme and contributing in India’s digital Information technology mission during this lockdown period. An Online ‘Webinar Counselling Series – 2020’ was initiated under different chapters of specific area. The rationale behind this webinar is to create awareness and provide a platform for deliberation in plethora of areas from public and private sector which interests the student community at large. On dated 29th May 2020 (11:00 – 12:30) Ms. Deepti Chaudhary, Genetics Counsellor, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh Talked on “Genetics: Current Scenario and Future Prospective’. Over 40 students of B.Sc. (Biotechnology) and B.Sc. (Medical) Final year along with faculty members participated in the webinar. The talk planned was to motivate the students and make awareness about importance and futures prospective in the genetics. Genetic counselling is a communication process with patients that involves discussing the chance of inherited conditions, helping patients to make informed choices about genetic testing and reproductive options, and providing support at a time that can be stressful and highly emotional. Growth of the profession of genetic counseling has gone hand-in-hand with professional development of individual genetic counselors. Genetic counseling has achieved most of the typical early milestones in the development of a profession. The profession is maturing at a time when the number of practitioners is predicted to vastly expand. The last two decades have seen a proliferation of genetic counselor roles and practice areas, and a distinct professional identity. It is likely that the next two decades will see an increase in educational paths, practice areas, and possibilities for professional advancement. How this maturation proceeds will be impacted by overall trends in healthcare, decisions made by international genetic counseling organizations, and thousands of individual decisions about career trajectories. By delivering information about genetics and as a profession of Counselor to the youth, it would facilitate them to choose an accurate career.

Biodiversity and its Conservations: The Life Support Systems on Earth

Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Baba Farid College, Bathinda continued online students Expert - Interaction programme and contributing in India’s digital Information technology mission during this lockdown period. An Online Webinar was organized by the Department on dated Monday 18th May 2020 (09:00 am – 11:00 am) the Expert speaker was Dr. Avneet Pal Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala - 147 002 on the “Biodiversity and its Conservations: The Life Support Systems on Earth”. Over 60 students of M.Sc. (Botany/Zoology) B.Sc. (Biotechnology), B.Sc. (Medical), and B.Sc. (Hons in Biotechnology) along with faculty members participated in the webinar. The talk planned was to motivate the students and make awareness about importance and futures prospective in the conservation of plant and animal biodiversity. The main objective of the talk is to provides the scientific insights about the definition and interpretation of the concept of biodiversity, in the state of the art in biodiversity research and in the application of the concept in actual management and sustainable use. Dr Singh talked about the broad spectrum of aspects of biodiversity and conservation and told that the biodiversity of the world is believed to decrease at such a speed that one speaks of a “biodiversity crisis”. By ratifying the Convention of Biological Diversity (UNEP, 1992), many governments have agreed to “develop national strategies, plans or programs for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity”.

This will create an impulse in the faculty as well as students in biodiversity and conservation research. Dr. Singh provided the recent landmark studies in this field along the recent data studies and their importance. Student got knowledge about area wise biodiversity on Earth, how fast is it changing, the effect of global change climate change on biodiversity, the importance for the life kinds on the earth. The biodiversity implies more ecological stability and possibilities to set attainable goals for biodiversity, kinds of sustainable use of biodiversity and strategies, plans or programs to reached goals. The lecturer was very informative and interactive as many queries were asked by students and well answered by Dr Singh. This will support the students in their practical and theoretical aspects, create research interest in the conservation of biodiversity. It also provides the knowledge about benefits to the society such as recreation and tourism, of potential use to the scientific community, life support systems on earth and genetic diversity of plants.