MBSI confers Life Time Devotion Award on USTM VC Dr GD Sharma

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 2, 2024

The Microbiologists Society, India (MBSI) has conferred Life Time Devotion Award to Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in the inaugural session of the “National Conference on Bioresource and Sustainability: Current Trends and Future Prospects” at the varsity campus here on Tuesday.

Receiving the award, Prof GD Sharma said, “This prestigious Award is because of those students of microbiology in the Northeast of India who have immensely contributed to the field. Learning is a continuous process, there is a lot of opportunity in the field of Microbiology in India”. 

The conference was organised by the Department of Applied Biology USTM in association with the MBSI. 

On the same occasion, USTM has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Microbiologist Society, India. Two books were also released during the inaugural session of the conference. 

The dignitaries who graced the inaugural session of the conference include Prof AM Deshmukh, president, the Microbiologist Society, India (MBSI); Prof Kalimuthusamy Natarajaseenivasan, director, ICMR- Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Dibrugarh; Prof Bikash Medhi, Professor, Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh; Prof GD Sharma, VC, USTM, Dr RK Sharma, advisor USTM among others. 

Addressing the gathering, Prof AM Deshmukh said, “Although Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are said as northeastern states, in terms of bioresources and biodiversity the area is central to India as much of biodiversity is seen here in this area”. 

He said that the topic of the conference on “sustainability” is very significant, and we have to see whether our development is sustainable and whether our tools are eco-friendly. 

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Kalimuthusamy Natarajaseenivasan said that the founder of USTM suffered a lot during his young age which has made him provide education for the poor communities. 

Prof Bikash Medhi, on the other hand, said that India contributes less than four per cent of research publications of the world despite the considerable number of higher educational institutions. 

He said that collaboration and exchange of ideas need to happen extensively. 

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Dr Deboja Sharma. associate professor and HoD, Department of Applied Biology, USTM. 

The vote of thanks was extended by Dr Yugal Kishore Mahanta, assistant professor and convenor of the conference.

A few topics of the plenary sessions include the Role of ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre Northeast for NER Regions, Drug development in the Current Scenario and How to Apply for Investigational New Drug (IND) Applications, Understanding Emerging Contaminants in Soil and Water: Modern Strategies for Effective Cleanup, Targeted Delivery of Pharmaceutically Active Components through Ethosomal Formulations.