DST-INSPIRE Science Camp 2024-University of Kashmir, Srinagar

Srinagar : In continuation to the extension activities for the society which is the mandate of Kashmir University and NEP- 2020, Department of Bioresources under the able headship of Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir organized 5 day INSPIRE Internship Science Camp scheduled from 27th to 31st of August, 2024 wherein participating students from Kashmir valley hosted at University of Kashmir for 5 days will be provided with an opportunity to interact with global leaders in science. The national level mentors, scientists, experts and peers in their field will deliver the special talks in their respective fields like Life/Health sciences, Physical/Chemical/Mathematical/Earth sciences etc. Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India sponsored DST-INSPIRE – Camp was inaugurated at the Gandhi Bhawan at University of Kashmir.

The organizing secretory, Prof. Dr. Manzoor A Mir, Head Dept Of Bioresources, welcomed the Patron Honorable VC Prof Neolofer Khan Mam, Chief Guest, Shri Saurabh Bhagat IAS, Commissioner Secretory JKST&IC, Convener Dean Research Prof Mohd. Sultan Bhat, Co-convener Registrar Prof Naseer Iqbal, and Guest of Honor Dr. Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Director School Education Kashmir.

The event was hosted and coordinated by Dr. Manzoor Ahmad. He inaugurated the session, emphasizing the significance of the Inspire camp. Dr. Manzoor presented his views about the need of this INSPIRE-Camps. He in his talk said that DST-INSPIRE Camp is organized for the selected students of 11th standard all over J&K who have scored top 1 % in 10th standard board exam in state of J&K. He mentioned that the DST Inspire science camp is meant to inspire students towards innovation. He mentioned the need of DST INSPIRE program as it allows the direct interaction of eminent experienced mentors with students, which motivates students towards the innovation and continued hard work with ingenuity to use available resources and generate new resources to address the challenges in Energy, Health and agriculture.

The inaugural session was started by the eminent dignitary, Dr Tassaduq, Director School Education Kashmir, thanking the organizing secretory, Dr. Manzooor Ahmad Mir for organizing such a significant event. He throws light on the INSPIRE CAMP and welcomed all the young students for the camp. He focusses on the female folk, inspiring them to come forward and have a strong competition with the male folk. He encouraged students to peruse science as their carrier.

After his talk, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar University of Kashmir also congratulated Dr. Manzoor A Mir for his remarkable contribution in the research and other activities towards the university. He also talked about the DST Inspire Programme and motivated the young scientists towards the science and technology.  He shared some interesting and motivating experiences with the audiences throwing light on the importance and significance of such type of camps. He also emphasized on the importance of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) in nation building.

Worthy Dean Research Prof Mohd. Sultan Bhat continued the session by emphasizing the significance of active involvement from young students and scholars. He shared inspirational anecdotes about Nobel Prize laureates, to motivate the young audience towards nurturing their scientific abilities.

Chief guest, Shri Saurabh Bhagat IAS, Commissioner Secretory, JKST&IC was very happy to be here, a hall filled with young people to interact. And he was very hopeful looking at the students in the program and on campus.

He mentioned that the main aim of science and engineering program is to improve the quality of human life, and this is the task that students will be taking on in future. He Congratulated Dr. Manzoor for organizing these events on regular basis, as it was his 4th visit to the department of Bioresources in context of Conference.  He put special emphasis on the INSPIRE Scheme, where he mentioned the various domains associated with the INSPIRE. He shared some memorable moments with the audience inspiring them towards the science and innovation technology. He also mentioned the role of eminent scientist APJ Abdul Kalam in science and technology.

Chief Guest of the Inaugural Session was Honorable VC Prof Neolofar Khan Mam. Addressing the young students, she emphasized that science is about making connections and in connections lays great power. Science has the ability to produce new technologies and make them sustainable for a better life. Motivating the students, she stressed on the importance of reading to develop the cognitive, vocabulary and language skills. She congratulated Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir for successfully organizing such inspiring events in the past as well, thus, influencing young minds towards developing scientific temperament. She in her talk said Dr. Manzoor is doing good in his research, administration and headship domain.

The focal point of the event was the unveiling of the Breast Cancer Awareness Website led by Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir and accompanied by other esteemed guests, the launch marked a significant milestone as the University of Kashmir is going to organize ist International J&K Breast Cancer Awareness Conference. The conference is going to be held on 7-9 October this year.  The session also witnessed the book launch by the dignitaries, authored by Dr. Manzoor A Mir. The experts commended Dr. Mir for his pioneering initiative in Ist International J&K Breast Cancer Awareness Conference and motivated to do such needful work for the young researchers of the valley.

This was followed by the vote of thanks by Dr. Nisar Ahmad Wani. who thanked all the Dignitaries, Guests, Faculties, Deans, Heads, Scholars, and Students for their eminent participation in the camp.