DBT Star College Scheme
Star College Scheme has been initiated by DBT in 2008 to support colleges and universities offering undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country. DBT is committed to the values of
- Pursuit of excellence
- Academic and intellectual freedom
- Creativity and innovation
- Diversity
- Cooperation and Communication &
- Accountability
DBT has therefore, launched a scheme for improving critical thinking and 'hands on' experimental work at undergraduate (college) level in sciences. It is expected to encourage, more students to take up higher education in science. DBT will identify colleges with ambition and potential for excellence and provide academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and unique exposure of students to experimental science. Department has supported around 200 undergraduate colleges across the country in the past 9 years. Apart from financial support, colleges have benefited tremendously from guidance received in Advisory Committee Meetings, mentoring, Task Force Meetings and learning from peers in other colleges.
Objectives
- To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.
- To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands–on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
- To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighbouring institutions and other laboratories.
- To conduct specialized training programmes for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities.
- To increase capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading existing facilities.
- To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country.
- To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) / kits for practicals.
- To provide better library facility to students and teachers
At present, there are 20 colleges from “Rural” and 96 from "Urban" category that have been supported under Star College Scheme.
Some Success Stories:
- Colleges have been able to considerably enhance quality of practical training in terms of conducting number of experiments that could not be performed earlier due to non-availability of equipments or expensive chemicals, demonstrations have been changed to practicals & practicals have been extended to projects. The colleges have been able to procure multiple copies of basic equipments like compound microscopes, pH meters, colorimeters, computers for mat labs, hand-held LCR meters, that has enabled the students to perform experiments individually. The optimized research environment has encouraged students to opt for minor projects along with the regular class room teaching.
- To augment the capabilities of undergraduate teachers, Department has also funded a project to IISER, Pune for conducting “Multi-level Workshop on Research – based Pedagogical Tools to Improve Undergraduate Science Education in Indian Colleges and Universities”. Multi-level workshops organized under this program will help in training of approximately 900 Star College teachers across all over India. The workshops would be designed to train teachers to use Research Based Pedagogical Tools (RBPT) in the classrooms to augment critical thinking and research skills. These workshops will help disseminate locally developed innovative methods in pedagogy and would be drivers for improving the quality of undergraduate science education by reaching a large number of teachers across the country. Applications for each such workshop will be invited from UG Science teachers below 45 years of age having Masters Degree in any branch of Science plus 10 years of teaching experience or PhD in any branch of science with 5 years of teaching experience along with a statement of purpose about why they want to enrol in the workshop. For the resource persons, British Council will invite application from organizations engaged in science education in the UK to conduct these workshops. These workshops will be supported via funding from DBT and Newton Bhabha Fund of the British Council. We had also evolved a mechanism to popularize several teaching aids and manuals by the means of e-resources and SOPs developed by the participating colleges viz. Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University and Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, for evaluation of Lab-Manuals and SOPs by different colleges. This activity has been initiated and financially supported under the Star College Scheme This is very valuable as it shall help in the compilation of the protocols in a uniform format for individual subjects and publication and access on DBT website for by all the colleges.
National Symposium on Graduate and Research-19 (Nsgr-19) 26.02.19 & 27.02.2019
National Symposium on Graduate and Research-19 (NSGR-19) Mr.Gnanasambandam, TNAU, Dr. T. PoongodiVijayakumar, Dr.RosandelabendraSrilanka and Dr.V.Chandrasekar - Bioline were delivered their sessions. The golden sponsor of PSGR Krishnammal College for Women and silver sponsor of MCAS and Hindustan College of Arts and Science faculty members and around 980 students were participated.
Students from different colleges and Host College were presented their papers and projects and we have selected the best papers and projectsalso they have been individually awarded based on their research work under the category chemical science, Physical science, Mathematical science, Applied science, Life science, Computer science and IT. The Sponsorship categories are
Diamond Sponsorship: PSGR Krishnammal College for Women Silver Sponsorship: Lady Dock College, Hindustan CAS, Muthayammal CAS, Ragul G. Department of Biotechnology from Dr.N.G.P. ASC presented Analytical life line “meshing” (Software or App), he got the first price.
J. Niranjana, Department of Biotechnology from Dr.N.G.P. ASC presented “Arachishypogara L.(leaves) as novel source of L – Asperginase – A chemotherapeutic agent”, she got second prize
Sanmathi and Nandhni Department of Biochemistry from Dr.N.G.P. ASC, they presented “Efficacy of fruit waste on germination of Capsicum annum”they got third prize
Gopishankar, Department of Biotechnology from Dr.N.G.P. ASC presented “Biosynthesis of inorganic silver and copper nanoparticles from Tetraselmuindica and screening its antibioflim activity”, he got third prize
Shanmathi, Department of Chemistry from PSGR Krishnammal College for Women presented paper in the title “Synthesis, characterization and biological properties of Mgo-Znonano lubricates” she got first prize
G. Harinishri, Department of Zoology from PSGR Krishnammal College for Women presented paper in the title “Air pollution and she got first prize”
R. Saikishore and J. RohinKarthik, Department of Microbiology from Hindusthan Arts and Science College presented paper in the title Biofertilizer, they got second prize
D. Madhubala, from PSGR Krishnammal College for Women presented paper in the title “Studies on Anatomical and histochemical characteristic salms, using Foldscope as a tool”, she got first prize.
Under DBT STAR college scheme, 2 day national symposium was conducted on February 26th and 27th of this year with grand success. The event was designed to instill the importance of research in the young minds and to nourish and nurture their skills to become future scientists. The broad areas which were covered in the symposium were literature reviews, systematic reviews, research methods, managing data and other such related topics.
It began with a formal inauguration with a cordial welcome address by Prof.Dr. V. Rajendran, principal, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore. The chief guests for the occasion were Prof.Dr.RoshanDelabandara, Secretary, Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka. The guests of honour were Dr. A.V. Gnanasambadam, Chief Executive officer, TNAU, Coimbatore and Dr. T. PoongodiVijaykumar, Periyar University, Salem. The above two members delivered lectures as the keynote speakers. Dr. S.S. Sudha, the DBT STAR College Scheme Co-ordinator proposed the vote of thanks which marked the end of the inaugural session and the beginning of the symposium.
Following this, in the afternoon, the session was purely technical where the young researchers who were all under graduate students presented their findings with lot of enthusiasm and confidence awaiting exciting rewards. More than 50 students from different disciplines like Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology participated in the symposium. The peer group of students posed interesting questions which each of the participant took it up as a challenge and did their best to answer the questions as a dynamic defense session.
The second day began with a lecture session by the key note speaker Dr.VaradharajuChandrasekar, MD, Bioline Laboratory and Research Institute and continued with enriched sessions of deliberations by the students. Some colleges which participated in the symposium are Lady Dock College from Madhurai, PSG College of Arts, Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Nanda College of Arts and Science from Perumanallur, Navarasam College of Arts and Science from Arasur are some of the few colleges. Students presented their findings in front of the judges and the jury decided to award three awards as first, second and third prizes to the internal students from Dr .N.G.P Arts and Science college and yet another three prizes to the students who participated from outside colleges. The prizes were distributed in the category of basic sciences, bio sciences and applied sciences which was bagged by both outside participants and internal participants.
The event came to a close on the second day evening with a formal valedictory function. The welcome address was given by Prof. Dr. V. Rajendran, Principal, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore. The guest for the valedictory address was Dr. Dr. Varadharaju Chandrasekar, MD, Bioline Laboratory and Research Institute, Coimbatore who delivered the valedictory address. Interesting feedback was received from the students who appreciated for creating an avenue for express their innovations. Formal vote of thanks by Dr. Renga Ramanujam, Head, Department of Microbiology drew the curtains down for the event whcbnbmjkp;[]5\6+0. ich marked a grand success of one of its kind. Dr. Varadharaju Chandrasekar, MD, Bioline Laboratory and Research Institute also delivered a scintillating note to encourage and motive the students on the importance of research.
National Science Day
National Science Day celebration conducted by Dr.N.G.P.Arts and Science College on 28.02.2019. The topic “Science for people and people for science” delivered by Dr.S.Krishnakumar, Senior Technical officer, Ministry of Defence, DRDO, Chennai. This was conducted Around 10 schools at Tirupur district.
National Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (WIPR-19)
Two days National workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (WIPR-19) organized by Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Nutrition and Dietetics of Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College. Held on 15.02.19 and 16.02.2019. Dr.S.P.Subramaniyan, Deputy Controller of patents and design and Mr.V.Palanisamy Assistant Controller of patents and design to deliver the lecture. 350 students were a part of this event.
National Conference
National Conference on “Recent innovation in nanomedicine and targeted drug delivery” on 3.09.2018 organized by Department of Basic and applied sciences, St.Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru under DBT - Star Scheme Sponsorship St.Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru. Around 8 students and 2 faculty members were a part of this event.
Workshop
- DBT sponsored technical level Workshop on patent and copy right at Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 03.09.18
- IPR Workshop at Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, 26.09.18
- Workshop on Intellectual property rights and innovations in association with PSGR Krishnammal college for women 27.10.2018
Guest Lecture
Guest lecture conducted on 04.09.2018 entitled “NMR and MRI in clinical applications by Dr.S.Senthil Kumaran AIIMS, New Delhi at Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College. Around 900 students get benefited.
1st Advisory Committee Meeting Held on 26.04.2018
2nd Advisory Committee Meeting Held on 15.04.2019
3rd Advisory committee Meeting held on 30.07.2019
Advisory Committee – Member
| a. Principal & Chairman | Dr. V. Rajendran M.Sc., M.Phil., M.Tech., Ph.D., D. Sc. Dr. N.G. P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore-48 |
| b. Dean - Research & Development | Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Dean – Research & Development Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College Coimbatore-48 |
| c. DBT Representatives | 1.Dr. Arvind Duggal, Adviser, DBT and 2. Dr. Garima Gupta, Programme officer, Star College Scheme |
| d. External Experts | 1.Dr.R.Rajendran,
Associate Professor,
Department of Microbiology,
PSG College of Arts and Science College,
Coimbatore -14 2.Dr.N.Ezhili, Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore -04 |
| e .Overall Coordinator & Member Secretary | Dr. S. S. Sudha,
Professor, Department of Microbiology ,
CDC Coordinator ,
Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College,
Kalapatti Road, Coimbatore – 48. E mail: drsudha@drngpasc.ac.in, drsudhakrish@gmail.com. Mob: 92452 82174 |
| f. Participating Department HoD’s | 1. Dr.J.Renga Ramanujam,
Head of Department of Microbiology 2. Dr.P.Chidambara Rajan, Head of Department of Biotechnology 3. Dr.D.Sridevi, Head of Department of Food Science and Nutrition 4. Dr.S.Gowri, Head of Department of Biochemistry |
| g. Co coordinator - participating departments | 1. Prof..S. Senthil Prabhu,
Assistant Professor (SG),
Department of Microbiology,
Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College, Kalapatti Road, Coimbatore – 48. Email: senthilprabhu@drngpasc.ac.in Phone: 98428 14320 2. Dr.T.Indumathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College, Kalapatti Road, Coimbatore-641 048 Tamilnadu. E-mail: indhumathi@drngpasc.ac.in Phone: 9842295557 3. Prof.R. Shivani, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science & Nutrition, Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College Kalapatti Road Coimbatore-641 048 Tamilnadu. E-mail: shivani@drngpasc.ac.in Phone: 8098748170 4. Dr.M.Poongothai, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College, Kalapatti Road, Coimbatore – 48. Email: drpoongothai@drngpasc.ac.in Phone: 9842 32003 |
| h) Star College Faculty Members from the Participating Departments | Department of Microbiology 1. Dr.N.Vidhya, M.Sc., M.Phil., SLET., Ph.D. - Associate Professor 2. Mrs.C.Sasikala, M.Sc., M.Phil. - Assistant Professor 3. Dr. A.M. Ramachandran, M.Sc., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 4. Dr.J.Devakumar, M.Sc., PGDBI., M.Phil., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 5. Dr. S. Karthik Sundaram, M. Sc., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 6. Dr. R. Mahenthiran, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D - Assistant Professor |
| Department of Biotechnology 1. Mr.P.Arun, M. Sc., M.Phil., M.B.A., PGCRDM., (Ph.D) - Assistant Professor 2. Dr.K.Arungandhi, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D - Associate Professor 3. Dr. Radha Palaniswamy, M.Sc., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 4. Dr.M.N.Kathiravan – M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 5. Ms. K. Priyadharshini, M.A., M.Phil. - Assistant Professor 6.S.Karthik, M.Sc. – Assistant Professor |
|
| Department of Food Science & Nutrition 1. Dr. S. Daniel Robert, M. Sc., Ph.D., PGDHSM - Assistant Professor 2. Mrs. V. Bhavani, M. Phil., (Ph. D)., NET/SLET - Assistant Professor 3. Ms. P. Kanneshwari, M. Sc. , M. Phil - Assistant Professor 4. Ms. P. Ashwini, M. Sc. - Assistant Professor 5. Ms. C. Abinaya, M. Sc. - Assistant Professor |
|
| Department of Biochemistry 1. Dr. N. Kannikaparameswari, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., PGDBI – Professor 2. Dr. C. Venkatesan, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., PDF - Associate Professor 3. Dr. K. Rajathi, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 4. Dr. V. Usha, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D (UK)., PDF (UK) - Assistant Professor 5. Dr. D. Pradeepa, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 6. Dr. DhanaRangesh Kumar. V, M.Sc., PGDBI.., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor 7.Dr.S.Kathiravan – M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. -Assistant Professor 8. Prof. M. Saranya, M.A., M.Phil. - Assistant Professor |
Biochemistry
- BOOKS AND JOURNALS PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EQUIPMENT PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EXHIBITIONS TRAINING COURSES
- GUEST FACULTY INVITED LIST
- INDUSTRIAL VISITS
- LIST OF NEW PRACTICAL AND DEMONSTRATIONS
- OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- PARTICIPANTS IN SEMINARS ANDCONFERENCE
- LIST OF PROJECTS
- SEMINARS & CONFERENCE
- STUDENTS SKILL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
- TRAINING RECEIVED
Biotechnology
- BOOKS AND JOURNALS PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EQUIPMENT PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EXHIBITIONS TRAINING COURSES
- GUEST FACULTY INVITED LIST
- INDUSTRIAL VISITS
- LIST OF NEW PRACTICAL AND DEMONSTRATIONS
- OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- PARTICIPANTS IN SEMINARS ANDCONFERENCE
- LIST OF PROJECTS
- SEMINARS & CONFERENCE
- STUDENTS SKILL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
- TRAINING RECEIVED
Food Science & Nutrition
- BOOKS AND JOURNALS PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EQUIPMENT PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EXHIBITIONS TRAINING COURSES
- GUEST FACULTY INVITED LIST
- INDUSTRIAL VISITS
- LIST OF NEW PRACTICAL AND DEMONSTRATIONS
- OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- LIST OF PROJECTS
- SEMINARS & CONFERENCE
- STUDENTS SKILL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
- TRAINING RECEIVED
- SUMMER TRAINING
- SPECIAL LECTURE BY HOST FACULTY
Microbiology
- BOOKS AND JOURNALS PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EQUIPMENT PURCHASED UNDER DBT
- EXHIBITIONS TRAINING COURSES
- GUEST FACULTY INVITED LIST
- INDUSTRIAL VISITS
- LIST OF NEW PRACTICAL AND DEMONSTRATIONS
- LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES
- OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
- LIST OF PROJECTS
- SEMINARS & CONFERENCE
- STUDENTS SKILL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
- TRAINING RECEIVED
- SUMMER TRAINING
- SPECIAL LECTURE BY HOST FACULTY
Department of Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a discipline that offers a challenging environment, and in return nurtures the candidate's future. The curriculum is framed in such a way that will allow students to develop knowledge and gain expertise to meet demands of voluminous opportunities at various capacities in Diagnostic and Research Laboratories in a Clinical setup and in Pharmaceutical Companies.
The Department of Biochemistry is a vibrant and ambitious division of the college with qualified academic staff, research scholars and students. The Department is a very successful unit of the college which is firmly committed to excellence both in research and teaching. The department adopts an integrated approach embracing the view that tomorrow's breakthrough are likely to occur at the interface of traditional biological sub-divisions. A degree in Biochemistry is the first step towards a wide variety of careers options in pharmaceutical and food industries, in hospital services, and in many biological and medical research divisions.
Department of Biotechnology
The Department was established in the year 2002 with the goal of rendering innovative education to the learning aspirers. Biotechnology being a fast growing arena of research and innovation, our department offers UG, PG, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs. Department is a good platform for the budding bio-technologists with excellent infrastructure and instrumentation Facilities.
Department of Microbiology
The department of Microbiology was established in the year 2003 with the postgraduate programme and in 2004 with the undergraduate course. The research programme comprises M.Phil. and Ph.D. which was started in the year 2005 and 2007 respectively. The department has a strong link with the Kovai Medical Center and Hospital and other institutions of the trust where there are a number of ongoing research projects. The department is armed with well qualified, dedicated and experienced faculty members. The department is committed towards the healthy academic (curriculum and co-curriculum) growth of the students as well as fostering the teaching and research activities of the faculty. The Department engages in various Projects supported by DBT, ICMR, UGC, DST, DRDO, CSIR and TNSCST.
Department of Food Science & Nutrition
The Department of Food Science & Nutrition was started in the year 2003 offering the course B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition with well-equipped laboratories. Post Graduate course in Food and Nutrition was started in the year 2004. The department also extends the activities of research by offering Master of Philosophy in Food and Nutrition from the year 2005 and Doctorate of Philosophy from the year 2016 onwards. The Department has qualified and well experienced faculties.
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world. Life is moving in the way of science and technology. We will always have to march ahead with these developments. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It's posing questions and coming up with a method. It's delving in.
I feel elated to note that the Faculty of Bio Sciences, Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science, Coimbatore is bringing out the annual newsletter consolidating the activities under the DBT Star Scheme. The support from DBT has strengthened the physical infrastructure in laboratories, library, teaching aids, and promoted networking with neighboring institutes. Hands-on training and projects of day to day relevance have enhanced interest in students to pursue science courses at Undergraduate and Post graduate level. Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science takes pride in organizing such Scientific programmes which will create a unique platform to analyze the present and future objectives and to update technological advancements in Science and Technology.
Dr. Nalla G Palaniswami, Chairman
Kovai Medical Center and Hospital ( KMCH )
SECRETARY`S MESSAGE
We are thankful to the government of India, New Delhi for sanctioning the prestigious DBT Star College Scheme of , Department of Biotechnology. Under this scheme currently four department are supported: Biotechnology , Biochemistry , Microbiology , foods and Nutrition. The scheme has helped immensely in improving the infrastructural facilities in these departments. Various student – centric activities are being conducted for overall development of students , including DBT – Star series , Hands – on – Training , workshops , Industrial and academic visits, Research projects and competitions as well as faculty trainings.
We are living in a society where we depend on continuous improvement in technology, good understanding of a Science to take care of the environment and safeguard from various pollutions. We all know that our future generation will be suffering if we don’t take care of our environment. We all have to work hand in hand to improve the environment with the help of science and technology.
Dr.Thavamani D Palaniswami, Secretary
Dr. N.G.P Educational Institutions
I am very delighted to note that the DBT Newsletter is being brought by the participating departments under DBT-Star scheme. The Newsletter brings out the various activities organized under DBT-Star scheme at our College. The support from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has strengthened the laboratory infrastructure, library, and other technology enabled learning resources of the participating departments. The programmes organized by the departments paved way to promote networking with neighboring institutions. I am happy to know that various activities were conducted to create a unique platform to students for updating their skill and knowledge in recent technological advancements in Science and Technology. I wish the Principal, Deans, DBT-Star college overall Programme Coordinator and the Department Coordinators, Staff, and Students of our College a great success in all their future endeavors.
Dr. O. T. Buvaneswaran, Chief Executive Officer
KMCRET
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt greetings to the readers of the first issue of the biannual Newsletter of the DBT-Star departments of our College. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India recognized the excellent Research and Development activities of the various departments of our College and sanctioned DBT-Star scheme to the Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Food and Nutrition Programmes. The main objective of the scheme is to motivate UG research and provide platform for innovative learning of Graduate students. Under this scheme, the participating departments of our College strive to disseminate their expertise and knowledge to the other participating Colleges and to the Community. Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College has organized a National Symposium on Under Graduate Research an annual conference, the first of its kind in India by forming DBT-Star Scheme Cluster of College to explore the inherent talent and Innovative Research among the Graduate students in India.
On behalf of the Management and on my own behalf, I congratulate Dr. S. S. Sudha, DBT-Star scheme Coordinator of our College and Prof. S. Senthil Prabhu, Coordinator of DBT-Star scheme, Dept of Microbiology, Dr. M. Poongothai, Coordinator of DBT-Star scheme, Dept of Biotechnology, Dr. T. Indhumathi, Coordinator of DBT-Star scheme, Dept of Biochemistry, and Dr. S. Uma Maheswari, Coordinator of DBT-Star scheme, Dept of Food and Nutrition in addition to Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Dean-Research and Development for their sincere and arduous efforts to organize various programmes to kindle the unquenchable fire of curiosity and inquiry in students and the general public.
We congratulate the DBT-Star Departments for bringing out this Newsletter to reach the Community.
Prof. Dr. V. Rajendran, Principal
Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College
I feel delighted in penning a message to an annual newsletter being brought out by the Faculty of Biosciences to mark the successful completion of the first year of DBT-Star college scheme and eventual display of comprehensive activities undertaken by them. Star College Scheme is an initiative of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), one of the premier national scientific establishment functioning under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The scheme objective is to provide support to institutions offering undergraduate programmes to strengthen and improve teaching and learning outcomes in science disciplines. It is important to note that all participating departments of Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College, with the support from DBT have strengthened the physical infrastructure in laboratories, library, teaching aids and promoted networking with neighboring institutes. In equal measure, they have organized various activities to improve upon the skills of teachers, technical staff, and most importantly to elevate student interest in learning. Having the cardinal features of DBT-Star college scheme instituted in the first year, the participating departments should sight on organizing scientific programmes which will create a unique platform for achieving excellence in teaching and learning, and stimulate original thinking among students. I heartily congratulate the departments and wish them all success in the forth coming years.
Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Dean Research and Development
Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College
OVERALL COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
I sincerely acknowledge the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, New Delhi for considering Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College under DBT-Star college scheme. Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Nutrition & Dietetics are the four participating departments under this scheme. Alone we can do little, and together we can do a lot. This aptly suits for the Departments that participate in DBT Star College Scheme. As an overall Programme Co-ordinator initially I had a doubt, how these activities can be done and executed well, but the department heads, department programme coordinators, each & every staff member of the department joined hands under the guidance of our team leader Prof. Dr. V. Rajendren, Principal and Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Dean R&D. The one year journey under DBT-Star College Scheme provided me insights and experience widely. All four participating departments have done their maximum level and striding to reach acme in the forth coming years. The concept of learn, unlearn and relearn has been practiced by all members of faculty of participating department. Through this DBT-Star College Scheme teacher quality & teaching quality are being improved. Students are highly motivated and they show keen interest to comprehend practical methodologies in a conducive way. It is an opportunity for them to visit Industries, to participate in Conferences, Seminars and Workshops to take up the mini group projects in order to ameliorate their personal skills. I, sincerely thank the mentors Dr. R. Rajendren and Dr. N. Ezhili for their support and suggestions. Finally, I owe my heartfelt thanks to our management for their constant and consistent support in all the steps that we initiate.
Dr. S. S. Sudha, DBT-Star College Scheme Coordinator
Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College
