CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH), Chandigarh, celebrated its 40th Foundation Day on 24 January 2024 by organising several events, including the much-anticipated Foundation Day Lecture. Prof. Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, delivered this year’s foundation day lecture on “Impact of Technology on Society” and highlighted the importance of technologies shaping humankind’s lives.
Prof. Vig, with teaching and research experience of more than 35 years, highlighted the positive impacts of using technology in society & how technologies have reinvented business design, manufacturing processes and distribution channels. During her lecture, she touched upon vital aspects of technology through wireless & satellite communication, space programmes, nuclear programmes, infrastructure, automobiles and Industry 4.0 and how they have evolved. Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya, Director, CSIR-CSIO, also graced the event to commemorate the 40-year celebration of CSIR-IMTECH’s foundation.
Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, while welcoming the guests and faculty to the Institute’s 40th foundation day, apprised the audience of the Institute’s achievements during the last forty years. He gave a brief snapshot of the four decades journey of CSIR-IMTECH, from what started as a make-shift laboratory in a warehouse to a sprawling 47-acre campus in Chandigarh. He also lauded the efforts of scientists and researchers who have built strong peer credibility in basic and application-oriented broad thematic areas of molecular biology and microbial genetics, cell biology and immunology, protein science and engineering, fermentation technology and applied microbiology. He exhorted the scientific fraternity at CSIR-IMTECH to focus on future & niche research areas, including the microbiome and AMR, with a particular focus on non-model pathogens, nanobody engineering, precision fermentation and bioremediation.
Dr Khosla highlighted the translational efforts of CSIR-IMTECH scientists that have resulted in a higher rate of technology transfer to the industry of the total filed patents. Dr Khosla said at the occasion, “Surely, we have come a long way, but one thing that has remained common in the last 40 years has been our commitment & resolve towards addressing unmet healthcare and industrial needs through microbial interventions & with state-of-the-art processes and platforms.”
As part of the celebrations, CSIR-IMTECH conducted a series of conferences on basic & fundamental research in microbiology, sustainable microbial technology for biomolecule production & microbial ecology. An event was also organised to celebrate CSIR-IMTECH’s scientific legacy with its alumni who have made a mark in the country and around the globe. The institute also observed Open Day, during which students, researchers, graduates and the general public from in and around Tricity visited the Institute and interacted with scientists to get a firsthand account of various facets of microbiology and biotechnology. The Institute also felicitated its students for the best PhD thesis, best PhD presentation and best poster presentation award 2024 with a certificate and cash award for their outstanding performances.
