Media Release
Udupi, Apr 30: Two inspiring talks and a versatile cultural programme marked this year’s Annual Day celebrations of the Manipal Life Sciences Centre (MLSC), Manipal, held at the Fortune Inn Valley View, on Thursday April 29.
Acclaimed academician and bio-scientist Prof Seyed E Hasnain, vice-chancellor, University of Hyderabad, and Dr Amit Agarwal, director of research, Natural Remedies Private Limited, Bangalore, were the chief guests.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Hasnain elaborated the ways in which biology will influence this century.
Citing examples of the technological advances in molecular sequencing methods and genome sequencing, he gave a sneak peek into a future where several biological puzzles would have been solved. He urged the scientific minds in the gathering to explore the several research areas waiting to be unraveled.
Dr Agarwal, in his speech, stressed the importance of herbal plants as drug sources in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. He revealed the huge vacuum in research on herbal drugs in the industry, especially in India, and suggested forging industry-academia partnership in order to fill this void.
Earlier, Prof P M Gopinath, senior scientist at MLSC, welcomed the gathering.
Manipal University (MU) pro-chancellor Prof H S Ballal, MU vice-chancellor Dr Raj P Warrier, MU registrar Dr G K Prabhu and other heads of MU were present on the dais.
MLSC student council president Vishnu Mohan listed the activities and achievements of the council during the academic year.
MLSC director Dr K Satyamoorthy briefed the audience on the current activities of the centre and its future outlook.
Dr Warrier, in his address, reiterated the value of MLSC and the MU towards the cause of scientific research.
Prof H S Ballal and Dr G K Prabhu distributed prizes to students and faculty who had participated and won in various sports and cultural activities of the centre.
MLSC student council vice-president Rachel Philip, proposed the vote of thanks which was followed by a multi-faceted entertainment programme that included flute recital, dance, and fashion show.