Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati has become the first college in the state to introduce Microbiology in the three year degree course from the academic session 2012. Dr. O.K. Medhi, Vice Chancellor, Gauhati University formally inaugurated this at an event held on September 29, 2012 at the college premises.
The meeting was presided over by Sri Dinesh Baroowa, President of the Governing Body and Ex Registrar of Gauhati University. In the welcome speech Dr. Indira Bardoloi, Principal of the College explained how the college had initiated the process of introduction of the subject. Vice Chancellor, Dr. Medhi inaugurated the subject and the Laboratory of the Department by lighting the lamp and in his inaugural speech expessed his willingness to introduce more such subjects in the colleges in the near future. Many educationists Like Dr. D.K.Jha, Professor& Head, Botany Dept. Gauhati University, Dr. Manab Deka, Professor & Head, Biological science, Institute of Science and Technology, G.U. and Dr. S.R.Patgiri, Assoc. Professor, Botany Dept. Cotton College also expressed their views. Mr. M.C. Talukdar, Head, Dept. of Botany and the co-ordinator of Microbiology, Handique Girls’ College briefed the audience about his experiences he came across in the process of genesis of the subject in the college. He thanked his fellow colleagues specially Dr. Utpal Dutta, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Zoology for his initiative and support. He also gave the vote of thanks to all persons present in the function. This year twenty numbers of students have been admitted in the subject Microbiology as General subject.
It may be worth mentioning that “Microbiology” has emerged as a very important branch in the study of life sciences. This subject forms the basis for the study of Immunology, Plant and Animal Diseases and is indispensible in the pursuit of Bio-technology as well as Genetic Engineering. Apart from these, the study of Microbiology can equip students for a wider range of career not only in the fields of clinical and diagnostic laboratories, but also in agriculture, industries cum breweries, food, beverages as well as dairy and pharmaceutical sectors. Hence, it is expected that, the introduction of the subject of Microbiology in the undergraduate courses would open a new dimension in the academic field of this state.
A career in microbiology is considered as a lucrative option in India as well as abroad and the step taken by the college will give a better platform to interested students of the state as well as the region. It has been observed that most of the students from the region who wanted to opt microbiology had to go outside Assam to pursue the course. As of now, the total intake capacity has been fixed at 20 as per the guidelines laid down by Gauhati University and it is hoped that the subject is likely to gain more popularity in the state.
Contributed by Pranab Bujarbarua
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