VC exhorts youngsters to initiate discussions

VC exhorts youngsters to initiate discussions

   Remya Nair

Vice chancellor Prof. A. Jayakrishnan asked the scientific community to initiate serious discussions on biodiversity. This is essential to understand the relation between  development and the ecological balance. He added that the youngsters  must have a  better knowledge about biodiversity as they have to preserve it for the future. He also pointed out that the University had conducted various seminar in the Biodiversity Year 2010 and Forestry Year 2011. 

     He claimed that successful organisation of National Science Congress in 2010 has encouraged NASI to organise a big seminar and symposium here, in the Kerala University. We have arranged all the facilities to all the dignitaries and delegates. Kerala University is planning to conduct Global Education Meet along with  Kerala State Department of Education.   University is also planning to conduct more programmes in the Biodiversity decade.

  According to Prof. Jayakrishnan, big events like this will provide an opportunity to the faculties in the university to interact with great personalities like Dr.Kasthurirangan  and  Dr M.S Swaminathan. This will also encourage our students to take up new programmes.

  He observed that now a days there is a trend among the youngsters to choose professional courses ignoring science stream which is not a good sign. As 21st century is the century of science and technology, we must have a good grounding about it. He hopes that events like this will motivate young students to choose science subjects and make a career in this field. “Our aim is not to generate a brain power in science but to generate a scientific temper”, he added.   

Biodiversity is life insurance for life: Dr. Kasturirangan

Biodiversity is life insurance

for life: Dr. Kasturirangan

Jobin K J

Anju V Padma

  “Sixty per cent of our ecosystem is under the threat of degradation, and the country should immediately take necessary steps to conserve it”, suggested Dr.K. Kasthurirangan, member of Planning Commission and the former Chairman of ISRO. He was inaugurating the 81^st annual session of The National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) at Kariavattom Campus. The theme of this three day National Symposium is ‘Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science and Technology’.

Kasturirangan inagurates the NASI annual session

  “We need to protect our forests, numerous variety of medicinal plants, wildlife etc. and should take necessary steps to prevent things like poaching”, said Dr. Kasthurirangan. It is three trillion dollars that we are losing every year through the declining biodiversity. By conserving nature, we are giving life insurance for our life itself, he added.

    Prof. M.G.K. Menon, advisor of ISRO, Dept of Space was the guest of honour. He reiterated the importance of the conservation of soil and water. “India is the hot spot of biodiversity, but often we get lost in the technicalities of sustainable development and forget human beings and nature. It is our duty to make sure that it is not lost”, Prof. Menon said.

    Prof. A.K. Sharma, president of NASI, in his presidential address talked about gene bank, wild life sanctuaries and biodiversities in Himalayan regions.

  In the second segment of the programme, awards were distributed to Prof. Kasturi Dutta, Prof. Balram Bharghava, Prof. Sudheer Majumdaar and Prof. Subhasheesh Chowdhary. Dr. K. Kasthurirangan, Prof. M.G.K.Menon, Prof. A.K.Sharma, Dr. Manju Sharma and Prof. A. Jayakrishnan were felicitated.

  In the following two days, 286 papers will be presented, under two sections- Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences, by various experts from all over the country.

Dr. Kasturirangan to inaugurate Symposium

Dr. Kasturirangan to inaugurate Symposium

Shilpa S.R

The inauguration of the 81st Annual Session of The National Academy of Sciences India and the National Symposium on ‘Sustainable Management of Biodiversity using Science& Technology’, hosted by the University of Kerala, will be held at the Golden Jubilee Hall, Kariavattom Campus today at 9.30 AM.

            The programme will be inaugurated by Dr. Kasthurirangan, the member of the Planning Commission and will be presided over by Prof. A.K. Sharma, the president of NASI. The guest of honour will be Prof. M.G.K. Menon, the Advisor of ISRO. Kerala University Vice Chancellor Dr. A. Jayakrishnan will deliver the welcome address.

            The convener of the symposium, Dr. Manju Sharma will give a description about the symposium. The three-day scientific event will bring together researchers and scientists in various areas of research drawn from leading scientific institutions and universities in India.

VC runs down memory lane

VC runs down memory lane

      Born in a small village of Mannarkadu in Palakkad district, Dr.Jayakrishnan,Vice Chancellor of the University of Kerala has nostalgic memories of  Onam. As a little boy he waited impatiently for the closure of his school for the onam vacation, because he could  play football with his fellow mates, from dawn to dusk.He recollects how they had to manage with a little rubber ball since they could not afford to buy a football.

            The banana chips and all the Onam delicacies were very precious to him as it was available only during the festive season. He also recollected how he used to offer prayers to Thrikkakara Appan during Onam days. The V C mentioned that the present day Onam is becomig more consumerised. This year he will be celebrating Onam with his daughter in Bangalore.

Kerala University introduces school system – V C

Kerala University introduces school system – V C

Shilpa S R

Elizaveta Pogodina

Trivandrum: Kerala University will soon introduce the school system in the teaching departments .This umbrella system will help in the sharing of resources and provides a platform for interdisciplinary studies and research, said Vice Chancellor Dr.A.Jayakrishnan.

            According to Dr.Jayakrishnan the new system will create a synergy between the scattered departments and the human resources can be used to the maximum. It is a better approach for enhancing the academic standards. He said that although there had been oppositions, the senate has approved the proposal and it is sent to the Governor for final approval. He added that there won’t be any additional financial support from the UGC for the introduction of schools, but we are more likely to get grants once these schools become active. Due to the infrastructural shortage no new innovative courses will be introduced in the school system soon. ‘Our priority is to strengthen the present academic programmes’, Dr.Jayakrishnan said.

            The proposed schools will be headed by a Director or a Dean, appointed by the University. The different departments under the school can continue to function separately, but there will be a single administrative unit. The facilities too have to be shared among the departments. The new system will facilitate collaborative research projects, Dr. Jayakrishnan hoped.