This story is from March 5, 2019

Refresher course on plant taxonomy, photography begins at Central University of Punjab

Refresher course on plant taxonomy, photography begins at Central University of Punjab
BATHINDA: Two week long refresher programme for faculties for central universities from across the country started at Central University of Punjab, Bathinda on Tuesday. Refresher programme is on Plant Taxonomy, Phytogeography and Ecology which is supported by three premier science academies in the country, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and National Academy of Sciences India, Allahabad.
Renowned plant taxonomist and academy fellow, Prof. Raghavendra Rao from Bangalore and Prof. RK Kohli, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, inaugurated the refresher programme.
Prof. Rao mentioned that although Plant Taxonomy is of crucial importance to all of the sciences, there is a huge dearth of trained taxonomists in the country, as well as funding in the field. Major reason for the decline of the field is rush towards utility-driven applied sciences. He added that traditional Taxonomy and modern molecular systematics are not contradictory, rather synergistic. Modern methods such as DNA barcoding will greatly help to reveal variants of species. As part of the programme, participants will be provided with hand-on training on the usage of several high-end equipments in Central University, including Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope, Electron Microscope and DNA Sequencing. A field trip to Harike Pattan is also envisioned as part of the programme.
Prof. RK Kohli stated that there will be two feedbacks in the course, one in the middle and one at the end, for the quality improvement.
Coordinator Felix Bast, a known Algae Taxonomist, said that no single-use plastic will be used in the entire programme, including flex board, disposable glasses and PET bottles. He encouraged the participants to bring own coffee cups. “Let the quality of contents speak by itself rather than luxury and pointless vanity” he added.
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