History of Nursing: An Emerging Field of Research in History and Gender Studies

History of Nursing: An Emerging Field of Research in History and Gender Studies

The historiography dealing with modern Indian history in general, but also looked particularly at issues around health and medicine, were largely silent on women until as recently as the 1980s. Several works have been done by historians on the aspect of women and medicine specializing in women’s health issues and women’s professions like women Doctors, Midwives, etc. We can find also works that have been done by historians in the latter half of the 20th century specializing in the changing role of bhadramohila with the introduction of Modern education with an intense focus on the medicalization of childbirth, motherhood, sexuality, and birth control, medical education and women profession. Discussion on the development of the nursing profession was relatively rare.

It is well-known that nursing is a pillar of the modern medicine. Without their support, the system of healthcare would collapse. During the colonial period, the character of nursing was different from what it is today. Nursing was not as formalized or structured as it is now. It was primarily informal and provided by untrained professionals. After the Revolt of 1857, its necessity was felt by the British authorities, especially in the field of military nursing. But what was the role of the nursing profession in the development of general healthcare, especially for women’s health? Initially, responsibility was imposed on British women, and gradually, women missionaries took charge of the development of women’s healthcare.  Due to the huge demand, nursing received considerable attention from the state.

After the Revolt of 1857, its necessity was felt by the British authorities, especially in the field of military nursing. But what was the role of the nursing profession in the development of general healthcare, especially for women’s health? Initially, responsibility was imposed on British women, and gradually, women missionaries took charge of the development of women’s healthcare.  Due to the huge demand, nursing received considerable attention from the state. The establishment of new hospitals also increased the demand for nursing services. The colonial authorities also established new institutions as philanthropic bodies for the training of nurses. Indian Nursing Service (1888), Calcutta Hospital Nurses Institute (1859), Trained Nurses Association of India (1908) etc.

Bengal, being the earliest seat of British power, was the first to encounter Western education and culture. It also had the most elaborate medical establishment along Western lines since the foundation of the Calcutta Medical College (1835). However, women could enter medical institutions for training only during the 1880s. From the 1880s on, we can also see the rising activities of Christian medical missionaries, several of whom were women—Dr. Clara Swain, the first female medical missionary, and Dr. Funny Butlar, for example. Different philanthropic organizations also took active participation in the development of this field. The Medical Women for India Fund (1882), Dufferin Fund (1885), and later Rockefeller Foundation (1915) worked closely with the state, providing training to Indian women in Western medical midwifery and nursing. Another important committee report was the Bhore committee report made by Joshep Bhore in 1945, which provided adequate health protection to all women and came from the official discourses.

Understanding of Colonialism provides insight into how colonial powers imposed their healthcare systems and reshaped indigenous practices to suit their interest.  Students can explore how Indian women used nursing as a means of social mobility and resistance against colonial oppression, despite facing various challenges and constraints. By comparing the development of nursing in Bengal with other colonial contexts or with the evolution of nursing in other parts of the world, students can gain a broader understanding of global healthcare histories and colonial legacies. In general, researching the history of nursing in colonial Bengal provides insightful knowledge about how gender, healthcare, and colonialism are connected. This historical perspective can help shape current debates about decolonization, gender equality, and healthcare.

Liberal Arts Education under NEP 2020: Prospects and Opportunities

Liberal Arts Education under-NEP-2020-Prospects-and-Opportunities

The very idea that all branches of creative human endeavour, including social science, humanities, vocational and professional subjects, and soft skills should be considered as ‘arts’, has a distinctly Indian origin. It is needless to highlight that famous ancient literature Kadambari, written by Banabhatta, mentions about ‘knowledge of the 64 kalaas or arts. This notion of a ‘knowledge of many arts’ or what in modern times is often called the ‘liberal arts’ must be brought back to Indian education, as it is exactly the kind of education that will be required for the 21st century. Liberal Arts education covers vivid disciplines of humanities and social sciences such as History, Economics and Development Studies, Politics and International Relations, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Language and Literature, Linguistics, Music, Theatre, Creative Arts, etc.

The National Education Policy has been launched by the Government of India on 29th July 2020. It is popularly known as NEP 2020 which outlines the vision of new education system in India. In modern times, knowledge-driven world, access to quality education and the chances of national development are two sides of the same coin. NEP 2020 gives a dynamic vision which could change the implication of all traditional disciplines as per the societal and global needs and demands in the 21st century world. It provides a multi-layer dimension for the advancement of traditional subjects like humanities and social sciences. The curriculum and syllabus for the liberal arts education would be more focused on the research, innovation and employability. It emphasises on the practical learning of soft skills and critical thinking. So it could enable students to engage in experiential learning activities like debates and discussion, peer learning, flip classes, internship programmes and project on social responsibility and community engagement and so on. Apart from theoretical understanding in specialisation of their degree, students would learn more from the practicality of the discipline with its inter-disciplinary approach.

For academic and professional convenience, these disciplines are taught as independent subjects. This leads to imparting fragmented knowledge to students which results in limited learning, not enough in terms of either knowledge acquisition or the required skills to be employable. Hence, to supplement their capabilities, add-on courses along with an emphasis on learning new skills are to be compulsorily offered to help students become employable. For instance, if students of history take up a couple of add-on courses like a Diploma in Media Studies, Business Analytics, Data Science, economics etc., it helps them to successfully compete for the jobs. Likewise, a course on Indian Society and Culture would be helpful to students desiring to work in non-government organisations, popularly known as NGOs, where it would be value addition. Students from Humanities enrolling for an add-on course on Indian Heritage and Culture would benefit if they aspire for jobs in the tourism industry. Likewise, students of Economics doing one or two add-on courses in International Relation, Public Policy and Political Science would be successful in jobs in public and private international organisations and business journalism. Similarly, students of Journalism will be benefited by taking a course on History or on Public Administration to get familiar with understanding of diversity and social inclusion and functioning of governance, respectively. Another relevant example is the discipline of Social Work which falling in the category of social sciences which has theoretical and practical aspects in due course of learning. Students of Social Sciences should be compulsorily made to opt for add-on course in Social Work as it enables them to take up jobs in the NGO sector and the society at large. In true sense, liberal arts make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and of course, enjoyable.

This new policy endorses all the major aspects and themes of liberal arts and redefines the utilisation of subject knowledge according to the global standard of education. Its inter-disciplinary approach makes all the disciplines of humanities and social science more relevant and meaningful. At one side, it attempts to reshape the curriculum and syllabus of social sciences as per the needs of global market and on the other side it maintains the core traditional value of liberal arts education with its distinct characteristics and features. Apart from this, it also accommodates various allied subjects into the domain of liberal arts education as an independent discipline. For example, Tourism, Indian Heritage and Culture, Yoga, Public Policy, Social Work, Environmental Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Ethics and so on are incorporated as a separate degree course in the domain of social sciences with its redefined syllabus. All curriculum and pedagogy is redesigned to be strongly rooted in the Indian and local context and ethos in terms of culture, traditions, heritage, customs, language, philosophy, geography, ancient and contemporary knowledge, societal and scientific needs, indigenous and traditional ways of learning etc. in order to ensure that education is maximally relatable, relevant, and effective for the students.

Liberal arts education enables the development of an enlightened, socially conscious, knowledgeable, and skilled nation that can find and implement robust solutions to its own problems. It forms the basis for knowledge creation and innovation thereby contributing to a growing national economy. NEP 2020 aims to bring holistic change in all the disciplines of humanities and social sciences and so it highly recommends the cross-disciplinary approach in liberal arts education. The policy emphasises on the maximal utilisation of each discipline which lies in the domain of humanities and social sciences. The objective behind liberal arts education is to provide more opportunities to students, so they can become skilled and employable. This policy also attempts to shift the paradigm of social sciences from traditional subject to technical one by focusing more on its practicality of understanding. It emphasises on discipline-specific experiential learning activities and its utilisation in the job market.

The policy also recommends that, towards the attainment of such a holistic and multidisciplinary education, the flexible and innovative curricula of all higher education institutes shall include credit based courses and projects in the areas of social responsibility and community engagement, environmental education, and value-based education. Value-based education consists of the development of humanistic, ethical, constitutional, and universal human values of truth (satya), righteous conduct (dharma), peace (shanti), love (prem), non-violence (ahimsa), scientific temper, citizenship values, and life-skills (as mentioned in the NEP draft). In this regard, social responsibility and community engagement programmes is considered an integral part of holistic education. Thus, it provides an interdisciplinary learning which leads to an overall development of students. Courses and programmes in subjects, such as Indology, Indian languages, yoga, arts, music, history, culture and modern India, globally relevant curricula in the sciences, social sciences, and beyond, meaningful opportunities for social engagement, quality residential facilities would be fostered to attain the goal of global quality standards, attract greater numbers of international students, and achieve the goal of ‘internationalisation at home’.

In career point of view, liberal arts education opens up vast range of job opportunities in the field of government and private sectors such as civil services, social work, archive and museum, archeology, teacher, lecturer, content writing, script writing, journalism, public relation, media and broadcasting, infotainment industry, translation, etc. There are some universities which are emerging as a centre for excellence in liberal arts education such as Ashoka University (Sonipat), FLAME University (Pune), Adamas University (Kolkata), Christ University (Bengaluru) and so on. Adamas University (Kolkata) is one of the best higher education institutions in eastern part of India which has a distinct school for liberal arts education i.e., School of Liberal Arts and Culture Studies (SOLACS). This school runs various programmes of liberal arts education under NEP 2020. Important to highlight that SOLACS is supported by Centre for Study of Contemporary Theory and Research, Centre for Lifelong Learning and Career Development Centre.

RELEVANCE OF HISTORICAL STUDIES IN TODAY’S WORLD

“Historical knowledge is no more and no less than carefully and critically constructed collective memory.” –

William H. MacNeill, former president of the American Historical Association

 

Let us start with the basic and boring question: What is History and what is the relevance of studying the subject? One may say that history is the record of the past, while others will argue that history maps human evolution. But how is it relevant even today? Studying history enables us to comprehend the relationship between previous events and their impact on the present state of affairs. By studying historical lessons, we get insights into our origins and identity, while also acquiring the capacity to prevent errors and forge better trajectories for our communities. From the way we speak to the dress we wear everything is conditioned by our society and its answer is hidden in our past. History sheds light on the most important issues we face today. Take the idea of race: The writer James Baldwin wondered, in 1965, why we see people as black and white. Racism is not natural, but most people take it for granted; they do not recognize that their ideas about race were shaped by history. As Baldwin observed, “The great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is present in all that we do. It could scarcely be otherwise since it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations.” Today, the subject has become very inclusive and interesting. It refrains from writing only the history of kings and wars. Rather now everything and all is a part of historical studies. We learn histories of dance, sports, food and painting.

 

Every time a student opts for history as his/her honours Major, he/she faces innumerable questions from his/her peers regarding the job prospect of pursuing the same. The parents refrain from encouraging their children to take up history as they feel that the subject is not suitable for providing their children with a prospective future. Several school students, passionate about knowing the past, abstain from taking up History thinking the subject is irrelevant to the job market. In the present scenario, such conceptions are archaic and erroneous since the study of history plays an important part in creating the intellectual development of a student and enhances his/her career skills for research, writing, argumentation, and documentation. A student with a History Major possesses a critical outlook which makes him/her fit for several jobs.  It should be noted here that not all History Majors go on to be professional historians. Instead, many pursue careers as journalists, editors, writers, public servants, social activists, etc.

The Objective of the Department of History, Adamas University, Kolkata is to enlighten history lovers regarding the array of job opportunities which an honours degree in History can provide them. They can now learn about the historical past without worrying about their professional future. Here we train our students through various workshops where various eminent personalities from myriad professional fields illuminate the students about the prospect of a History Major. By the conclusion these sessions, students get insight into other career paths for History Majors outside the traditional field of education.

Choosing to pursue a B.Sc. in Biotechnology in Adamas University accordance with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP2020) can be an excellent decision for a students’ career

A B.Sc. in Biotechnology provides a strong foundation in the principles and applications of biotechnology. A student will gain in-depth knowledge of subjects such as molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and bioinformatics, which are essential for a career in the field. Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. By studying biotechnology, student will develop a diverse skill set that includes laboratory techniques, data analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills, which are valuable across various industries at present. A B.Sc in Biotechnology opens up a wide range of career opportunities in industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, food processing, environmental conservation, and biomanufacturing. In addition, Biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field that drives innovation and scientific discovery. With a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, students may have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects, develop new technologies, and contribute to advancements in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability in line with the NEP 2020. The biotechnology industry is experiencing rapid growth globally, leading to a high demand for skilled professionals. Graduates with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology are in demand for roles in research institutions, biotech companies, government agencies, and academic institutions, offering excellent job prospects and opportunities for career advancement. Working in biotechnology can be intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. Being involved in research, innovation, and problem-solving can provide a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in your career, knowing that you’re contributing to advancements in science and technology.

 

Studying B.Sc. in Biotechnology at Adamas University offers several compelling reasons:

 

Academic Excellence: Adamas University is known for its commitment to academic excellence. Our B.Sc. Biotechnology program likely follows a rigorous curriculum designed to provide students with a solid foundation in biotechnology principles, techniques, and applications.

The university offers a curriculum that is closely aligned with the needs and demands of the biotechnology industry. This ensures that students graduate with the necessary skills and knowledge sought after by employers in the field. Here in Adamas University, we have modern infrastructure and facilities, including well-equipped laboratories, research centers, and technology-enabled classrooms. Access to such facilities enhances the learning experience and allows students to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment and techniques. The faculty members in the Dept. of Biotechnology have several years of experience both in academics as well as industry. Their expertise and guidance can greatly benefit students, providing them with valuable insights, mentorship, and support throughout their academic journey. The university offers ample opportunities for students to engage in research projects, internships, and collaborative initiatives with industry partners and research organizations. These experiences allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world problems and contribute to advancements in the field of biotechnology. Adamas University likely has strong partnerships with leading biotechnology companies and organizations. These partnerships can facilitate internships, placements, and networking opportunities for students, helping them gain valuable industry exposure and kickstart their careers. In addition to academic excellence, Adamas University also focus on the overall development of students by offering extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and personal development programs. We have students run Biotechnology club where student nurture their creative minds for different research, innovation, entrepreneurship activities. This ensures that students graduate not only as competent professionals but also as well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the real world.

Figure 1: We learn…..we encourage…….we innovate, Biotechnology club, Adamas University

Figure 2: SEED embedded papers prepared from waste papers

Figure 3: Herbal Abir preparation by Biotechnology students

Figure 4: YESUMMIT 2021 winners

Figure 5: Ongoing session on fabrication of Drone and application in Agriculture

Figure 6: Making Biological science related models with 3D printers

Institutional preparedness for NEP 2020 by Adamas University

In line with the National Education Policy 2020, Adamas University adopted a holistic vision and strives to be an internationally recognized university through excellence in inter-disciplinary education, research, and innovation, preparing socially responsible, well-grounded individuals to contribute to nation-building. The institutional mission focuses on improving employability through a futuristic curriculum and progressive pedagogy; an outcomes-based education system; the notion of lifelong learning; industry collaborations; inculcating ethical principles and developing an understanding of environmental and social realities. Adamas strives to work closely with the vision and mission of NEP 2020 and already launched a new strategic project (AU/PROJ/2022/02) under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Samit Ray for NEP–2020 implementation across the various schools of the university. Institutional preparedness for the implementation of NEP 2020 at various levels can be outlined as follows: 

  • Multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary: Adamas University offers flexible and innovative curricula through credit-based courses and various interdisciplinary projects in the areas of community engagement and service, environmental education, and value-based education across the schools.
  • Academic bank of credits (ABC): To facilitate its students to avail the benefit of multiple entries and exits during the chosen program, the university has been registered with the National Academic Depository (NAD) in ABC to offer additional services such as credit verification, credit accumulation, credit transfer/redemption, and degree authentication, with students serving as account holders. Equipped with advanced instruments, the Stem Cell Research Lab, Central Instrumentation Centre, and BIRAC-E-YUVA Centers are empowering students and faculty members with the advanced experiential learning system. 
  • Skill development: The University and its schools have adopted several capacity development and skill enhancement initiatives to prepare an industry-ready human resource. The Centre for Life-Long Learning (CLL) is a dedicated wing of Adamas University catering to the need for soft skill enhancement of the students. It has three divisions, namely the Life Skills Division, Professional Skills Division, and Upskilling Division. 
  • Focus on Outcome-Based Education (OBE): Adamas University has implemented outcome-based education with a constructive alignment focus. This refers to a teaching system associated with the learning activities inherent in the planned outcomes and measured by knowledge and skills in the discipline studied, attitude, and values acquired through the defined process that includes curriculum design, teaching and learning activities, and assessment to follow-up.

Distance education/online education: Teaching-learning is supported by the Learning Management Systems (TCSion Digital Learning, CANVAS, aSc TimeTables, etc.) that automate various activities, including master timetable scheduling, course announcements, capturing student attendance, creating course websites, internal assessments, learning activities, and examination-related activities, etc. The institution does not currently offer any distance learning programmes, but it is anticipating the possibilities of a blended and hybrid learning environment.

Few recent success stories of students of Dept. of Biotechnology, Adamas University continue:

Mr. Manojit Samanta

B.Sc. Biotechnology (2021-present)

JAM 2024 All India Rank: 36

 

Mr. Soham Pal

B.Sc. Biotechnology (2021-present)

JAM 2024 All India Rank: 52

 

And many more such stories are waiting for you to create & write …………..

Explore the fascinating world of Microbiology at Adamas University

Explore-the-fascinating-world-of-Microbiology-at-Adamas-University

In the quest to understand the microscopic organisms that influence every aspect of our lives, from health to the environment, Microbiology is a pillar of scientific inquiry. Adamas University, located in India’s vibrant educational landscape, offers undergraduate and postgraduate program in Microbiology that is more than just a course of study, but a journey into the unknown world that holds the keys to our future. Adamas University’s Microbiology programme is meticulously designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and insights required to succeed in this dynamic field. Here is an in-depth look at what makes this programme so appealing to Microbiology enthusiasts.

Adamas University’s Microbiology programme is well-known for its balanced approach, which seamlessly integrates theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Students learn about the fundamentals of microbiology, such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology, while also building a solid foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology. This comprehensive curriculum ensures that graduates are well-equipped to face the challenges and opportunities in the field of microbiology. Adamas University boasts cutting-edge laboratories and research facilities. These facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology and instruments, allowing students to conduct high-quality research and experiments. Whether researching Antibiotic Resistance, investigating nanotechnological applications, investigating microbial genetics, or developing pioneering and sustainable applications in Microbiology, the university’s facilities provide an ideal environment for innovation and discovery. Throughout the Microbiology programme, students actively engage in a diverse range of activities, including seminars, industry talks, career talks, field trips, webinars, and skill development programmes.

The Microbiology program’s distinguished faculty consists of seasoned academics and researchers with extensive experience in their respective fields. These experts not only teach but also mentor students, instilling a sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. Their guidance helps students prepare for successful careers in microbiology and related fields. The faculty members are well connected to industry leaders and leading experts in academia to foster cutting edge collaborative research and teaching-learning pedagogy in the curriculum. Adamas University’s Microbiology programme recognises the importance of industry readiness and focuses on bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application. Internships, industry projects, and collaborations with top companies and research institutions provide students with valuable real-world experience. This experience not only improves their employability but also gives them a better understanding of the practical challenges and opportunities in the microbiology sector.

Adamas University’s Microbiology programme graduates are well-prepared for a variety of careers. There are numerous opportunities for research and development in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as quality control and assurance in the food and beverage industry. The programme also prepares students for careers in healthcare, environmental management, and academia, among others. Adamas University’s Microbiology programme demonstrates the university’s commitment to excellence in science education and research. With its comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, expert faculty, and strong industry connections, the programme provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the microscopic world and make significant contributions to the field of microbiology. As the demand for skilled microbiologists grows, Adamas University graduates are well-positioned to lead the way in furthering our understanding of microorganisms and their impact on our world.

 Learn how Adamas University can help you achieve your goals. Visit our campus, meet our faculty, and discover for yourself why our Microbiology programme is the best fit for your future. Your journey into the microscopic world starts here at Adamas University.

Read one of our past events in a blog here: https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/agar-art-contest.html

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Students with their certificates at the end of the Agar Art Contest held by the Department of Biological Sciences at Adamas University. Some of the agar art works are shown on the right.

Navigating the Future: Exploring the Dynamic Market of Biotechnology

Navigating-the-Future-Exploring-the-Dynamic-Market-of-Biotechnology

In the realm of scientific innovation, few fields hold as much promise and potential as biotechnology. With its interdisciplinary nature combining biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science, biotechnology has already revolutionized healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and more. As we are standing on the slope of such technological advancement, it’s the need of the hour to examine the current state and future trajectory of the biotechnology market.

Recent Market Trends: Over the past decade, the biotechnology market has experienced exponential growth, driven by advancements in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and precision medicine. Key areas such as gene editing, personalized therapeutics, and agricultural biotechnology have seen significant investment and breakthroughs.

Gene Editing: Technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 have transformed the landscape of genetic engineering, offering precise and efficient tools for editing DNA in vivo. This has immense implications for healthcare, including potential cures for genetic disorders and personalized treatments for related genetical diseases.

Personalized Medicine: The shift towards personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles, has gained momentum. Biomarker discovery, companion diagnostics, and targeted therapies are redefining how we approach diseases, improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse effects.

Agricultural Biotechnology: With a growing global population and increasing environmental challenges, agricultural biotechnology has become vital for sustainable food production. Traits such as drought resistance, pest tolerance, and enhanced nutritional content are being engineered into crops to address food production problems.

Future Market Projections: Looking ahead, the biotechnology market is poised for even greater expansion and innovation. Several key trends and advancements are expected to shape its trajectory over the next one to two decades.

Synthetic Biology: The convergence of biology and engineering in synthetic biology holds immense potential for creating novel biomolecules, biofuels, and even synthetic organisms. This field is anticipated to drive breakthroughs in drug discovery, renewable energy, and industrial biotechnology.

Cell and Gene Therapies: The next frontier in healthcare lies in cell and gene therapies, offering potential cures for previously untreatable diseases. Advancements in gene editing, stem cell technology, and immunotherapy are expected to lead to more effective and accessible treatments for conditions ranging from genetic disorders to cancer.

Precision Agriculture: As climate change continues to impact global food systems, precision agriculture technologies will play a crucial role in enhancing crop resilience, optimizing resource use, and minimizing environmental impact. Smart sensors, drones, and AI-driven analytics will enable farmers to make data-driven decisions for sustainable agriculture.

Bioinformatics and AI: The exponential growth of biological data necessitates sophisticated tools for analysis and interpretation. Bioinformatics, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI), will revolutionize drug discovery, disease diagnosis, and personalized healthcare by uncovering complex patterns and correlations within biological datasets.

Environmental Biotechnology: Addressing environmental challenges such as pollution, resource depletion, and climate change requires innovative biotechnological solutions. Bioremediation, bio-based materials, and carbon capture technologies will play a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation and fostering sustainability.

The future of biotechnology holds immense promise, with groundbreaking innovations poised to transform healthcare, agriculture, industry, and the environment. However, realizing this potential requires continued investment in research, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks to ensure the ethical and responsible deployment of biotechnological advancements. By harnessing the power of biotechnology, we can address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity and create a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: Exploring Biotechnology’s Potential for Sustainable Solutions

Unlocking-Nature's-Secrets-Exploring-Biotechnology's-Potential-for-Sustainable-Solutions

Today’s biotechnology industry is at the precursor of innovation, providing previously unheard-of chances to address urgent global issues. Exploring and using nature’s secrets and using the complex mechanisms of living things to create sustainable solutions, is at the heart of its goal (1). This essay explores the complex field of biotechnology and considers how it might help us understand nature’s

mysteries and move toward a more sustainable future is represented in fig 1.

Figure 1. Different aspects of sustainable Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a broad field of study that uses living things, biological systems, or their byproducts to create technologies and products with a range of uses. Fundamentally, biotechnology offers alternatives to traditional methods that frequently deplete finite resources and worsen the environment, holding up the promise of sustainability.

Bioprocess technology, which includes the design, optimization, and management of biological processes to generate useful products or services, is the foundation of biotechnology. Bioprocesses use the metabolic processes of cells, enzymes, and microbes to transform basic materials into desired products. This strategy has enormous promise for long-term fixes in a variety of fields, including environmental cleanup, healthcare, and agriculture. Through the use of microbial symbiosis, scientists have created biopesticides and biofertilizers that improve soil health and lessen the need for chemical inputs. Bioprocess technology provides environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional chemical synthesis techniques in the manufacturing sector. Biotechnologists use renewable feedstocks to create a broad range of bio-based chemicals, polymers, and medicines through fermentation and enzymatic catalysis. These bio-based goods pave the way for a greener industry by reducing dependency on fossil fuels and lessening the negative environmental effects of chemical manufacturing processes. Biological agents are used in bioremediation, one of the most exciting uses of bioprocess technology, to break down or sequester environmental toxins. Because of their extraordinary metabolic capacities, microorganisms are able to degrade a variety of pollutants, such as heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and persistent organic pollutants. Bioremediation is an economical and ecologically beneficial method of cleaning up contaminated locations and repairing ecosystems by utilizing the power of microbial communities.

Biotechnology has enormous potential, but in order to fulfill its promise of sustainability, a number of issues must be resolved. These include ethical and legal issues related to genetic engineering and bioprospecting, as well as technological obstacles including scalability, process optimization, and cost-effectiveness. However, biotechnology has the ability to transcend these obstacles and propel revolutionary change in the direction of a more sustainable future with sustained research, innovation, and cross-disciplinary cooperation. Unlocking nature’s secrets through biotechnology holds promise for addressing the complex challenges facing our planet. By utilizing the strength of biological systems responsibly, we can pave the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come

Certainly! Here’s a simplified tabular format outlining some potential job prospects in biotechnology:

Job Title

Description

Biomedical Engineer

Design and develop medical devices, equipment, and software used in healthcare settings.

Biotechnologist

Conduct research to develop new products, processes, and techniques in biotechnology.

Biochemist

Study the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.

Genetic Counselor

Provide guidance to individuals and families regarding genetic disorders and testing options.

Pharmaceutical Scientist

Develop and test new drugs and medications, ensuring safety and efficacy.

Clinical Research Associate

Coordinate and monitor clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of new medical treatments.

Microbiologist

Study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and their interactions with humans.

Bioinformatics Specialist

Analyze and interpret biological data using computational tools and techniques.

Regulatory Affairs Manager

Ensure compliance with government regulations and guidelines in the biotechnology industry.

Quality Control Analyst

Test and inspect biotechnological products to ensure they meet quality standards.

This is just a snapshot of some potential job roles within the field of biotechnology. The field is diverse and continuously evolving, offering a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science.

Reference:

  1. Ulrich A.K. Betz, Loukik Arora, Reem A. et al. Game changers in science and technology – now and beyond, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 193, 2023, 122588, ISSN 0040-1625, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122588.

Information and Communication Technology and Smart Education

Information-and-Communication-Technology-and-Smart-Education

What challenges do we encounter as a teacher?

As a teacher I have to face several challenges in the context of the education system in India where the classrooms are filled with heterogeneous learners and one of them is to get going the passive, non-interactive, non-performing learners. The heterogeneous learners in India are composed of multi-lingual and multi-cultural students who belong to diverse social categories such as gender, religion, and caste, and also to different economic strata. They hail from a curious mix of different and sometimes largely uneven educative institutional cultures. Further, they display varying levels of competence in language communication in general, and English language communication in specific. Altogether, they reflect and embody the complex differential phenomenological histories within the ambit of education.

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The Problem at Hand

Due to the varying intensities of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the teaching-learning mechanism at that time was being conducted in the virtual mode through the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based tools. Apart from immediate challenges that threatened continuous seamless teaching-learning process, such as, the digital divide, disparate and incommensurate life conditions at homes, I have faced daunting tasks of being unable to reach out and communicate with a group of students who remained inert during the class sessions. The conventional strategies of attempting to ensure their participation in most of the learning, assessment, and evaluation procedures proved futile. This compelled me to ponder and introspect on the practical pedagogical formulations which interacts heavily and regularly with the domain of ICT. It appeared that the philosophical-theoretical debates on the role of ICT in education and the practical-pedagogical challenges involved therein have hitherto remained focused on motivated learners. The passive, non-interactive, and non-performing learners (our target learners) in the classroom have remained discursively excluded. Thus, the immediate challenge for me is to make attempts at involving the target learners’ in the institutional educative process.

Developing Metacognition through ICT Based Education

At my university, I offer courses in Linguistics and Communicative English. In the Communicative English classes what I observed is that I have always received feeble responses from the target learners in a number of task based activities. It was a “story-telling task” that struck chords with the learners. During the “story-telling task” (assessing coherence and cohesion of ideas among the learners) that was conducted twice – without and with ICT tools – it was noted that during the former, the target learners showed memory failure, difficulties in mapping contexts & events, lack of comprehension about the text generated by the previous participants, and that culminated in the overall failure to understand the text narrative. However, later when the same task was executed with image cards, and power point presentation over a Learning Management System (LMS) platform, the target learners could successfully fulfill the assigned tasks. During self-assessment, they unanimously chose visual perception as a stimulus that facilitated in understanding, remembering, analyzing, applying, and creating their knowledge level. It was the first time that the learners not only participated in the activity, but also were actively engaged in self-assessment and evaluation processed. They finally opened up and started regularly articulating themselves in the teaching-learning sessions. The above instance and the outcomes that it generated actually led me to furthermore dwell on the relational aspects of ICT tools in inducing the metacognitive faculties of the target learners. It has been found that ICT based language teaching meta-cognitively empowers the target learners, offers them alternative strategies to claim their space within the educational fold, articulate their self and aspirations.   

Information and Communication Technology Based Education and Enhancement of Critical Thinking

With rapid strides in the global technical and digital advancements, newer ways, avenues, and modes of learning have emerged. ICT services and tools have assumed the formal incorporation into what is understood to be Smart Education that thrives on modern existing & emergent technologies of customized learning. The new smart technology enables education to be more learner-centric, where the learner can exercise principal choices in the elaborate knowledge acquisition procedure, and secure autonomy to take responsibility of the learning process. As a result, the learner emerges as a key agent in the field of education. Through the meeting of individuated requirements or customized formations, smart technology provides several alternatives in terms of knowledge sources for prospective learners to engage in learning activities. Consequently, it increases the learners’ participation, and also promises ample scope for the learners and the learning process to be interactive. Thus, ICT based smart education has transformed the landscape of education by replacing the erstwhile lecture based and teacher-centric process of knowledge exchange. With the sole focus on the learner, smart education seems to provide the former with increased motivation. Two contrasting features appear to operate simultaneously in this field – one, fragmentation of knowledge & atomized individualization of the learner, and two, assembly of fragmented knowledge to generate an impression of a ‘holistic’ view of knowledge content, and cultivation of academic solidarity of the learners within crystallized communities. ICT as a support for smart education provides several benefits, like: easy access to reading and other study materials, continuation of learning outside the classroom space, online discussion forums, enables teachers and learners to render the study process more flexible, and focuses on the principle of individualization based on different interests, levels of competence & expertise, and needs.

Apart from the pedagogic advantages offered by ICT mediated instruction, the faculty of critical thinking can be developed as learners engage with tools, discuss, experiment, collaborate, make decisions, and solve problems using various tools. Moreover, in ICT mediated learning, the control on the entire learning process consisting of aims & objectives of a particular lesson, the specific kind or sort of information & knowledge that needs to be accessed, the time factor as to when it would be accessed, the utilization of the information-data-knowledge, securing the outcomes of the learning, qualitative and quantitative assessment & evaluation of the learning rests on the learner. ICT mediated education establishes self-regulated learning process, where the learners are aware of what, why, and how they are learning. Technology based learning (in particular, e-learning) enables the teaching-learning process to be more flexible as it takes into consideration the needs of different learners depending upon their levels of competence – basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. They can plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning process. The minute constitutive process adds on to the critical thinking capacity of the learner in this case.

In order to develop critical thinking skill and analytical skill, the learning environment needs to be conducive and learner friendly. ICT tools like various learning applications, different types of software, videos, images, audio files, power point presentations, among others, simulate a ‘constructivist’ classroom wherein the learners can engage in long-term learning process, constructing their own learning by asking questions and finding better approaches to solve the problems. The ICT mediated classroom makes the learning process more interesting as ideas and information can be presented in different forms such as images, video clips, audio clips, tables, graphs, and even multimedia. The emergence of World Wide Web associated with internet has compelled stake holders within the academia to invent new forms of learning that would add significantly to the creation of learner’s autonomy and its enhancement as well.

Considering that this blog focuses solely on English as Second Language Acquisition (ESLA) and TESLA, it may be claimed that ICT provides the language learners the opportunity of real-life exposure to the technical and socio-cultural aspects of language communication by giving them an insight into those who speak the target language as their native language. For example, through digital platforms such as emails (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, et.al), social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, Face Time, professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, and other video conferencing applications such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Cisco Webex platforms to name a few, language learners can interact with native speakers and this enables them to understand the communicative culture of the target language speakers. That in turn facilitates the language learning process for the non-native speakers. ICT tools such as Interactive whiteboards, power point presentations, video clips, and images, they provide stimulating visual aids as a productive strategy to support the comprehending, understanding, and using of the target language in real contexts. In ICT mediated learning, the learners have freedom to access information and control their own learning speed.  It makes the language learners aware of the whole learning process. The learners can consciously adopt preferable language learning strategies as per their need. This further intends to establish a more action/outcome based learning.

While using technology to plan their learning goals and outcomes, the learner becomes aware of one’s own cognitive process, which further inculcates self-regulation of learning objectives and active monitoring of the learning process. Thus, the arena of language learning and knowledge acquisition gets invested with neural vectors with the predominant intersection of a complex network involving cognitive, supra-cognitive, and metacognitive practices for the fulfillment of broader goals.

Building Resilience: Thriving in the Corporate World

Building-Resilience-Thriving-in-the-Corporate-World

Resilience, the term refers to the capacity of a person to bounce back from adversity or setbacks or thrive during times of change or challenge. It is not a fixed trait of a person rather it grows as a result of ‘learnable’ behaviors with outcomes that interact to make you and your group less vulnerable to stress. Whether you’re dealing with the acute stress of sudden challenges or the chronic stress of daily life, simple daily actions can increase your resilience.

Indeed, we are all resilient to some extent and it is also a fact that we can become even more resilient at times when it requires. A wealth of research points to four factors that help people, groups, and organizations to become more agile and effective under times of stress. The acronym REAL serves as a mnemonic which refers to Relationships, Efficacy, Affect, and Learning.

Relationships: We are far more resilient when we are engaged, supported and motivated with and by others. Our ties to others make us stronger, happier, more creative and even more resilient to challenges.

Efficacy: Believing that we make a difference, that we have control and that our actions matter, also builds resilience. Efficacy is about having goals and aspirations and the confidence that we can reach them.

Affect: Positive affect means when we experience positive emotions such as happiness, joy, optimism, satisfaction, gratitude, peace, and humor then our bodies got relaxed, our physical stress including blood pressure decreases. Positive affect makes us more creative and better able to find solutions and cope with stress.

Learning: When we learn lessons, meaning and peace in our traumas, injuries and stress then we are better able to move on, understanding that we have grown, matured, and strengthened as a result of the challenges we have faced.

Why Resilience?

Resilience is something which you need to protect from bad mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. It can help you deal with things that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or having trauma. Thus, resilience can help you cope well especially in a condition when you have mental health issue.

When you have resilience, you harness the inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster or a loved one’s death. If you lack resilience, you might get stuck on problems or feel like a victim. You might feel burdened or turn to ways to cope that aren’t healthy, such as drug or alcohol use, eating disorders, or risky behaviors.

Resilience won’t make your problems go away. But resilience can help you see past them, find ways to enjoy life and better handle stress. If you aren’t as resilient as you’d like to be, you can learn skills to become more resilient.

What are the types of Resilience?

The word resilience is often used on its own to represent overall adaptability and coping, but it can be broken down into different types:

  1. Psychological resilience: psychological resilience as the ability to mentally cope with or adapt to uncertainty, challenges, and adversity. It is sometimes referred to as “mental fortitude.” People who exhibit psychological resilience develop coping strategies and skills that enable them to remain calm and focused during a crisis and move on without long-term negative consequences, including distress and anxiety.
  2. Emotional resilience: Emotionally resilient people understand what they’re feeling and why. They tap into realistic optimism, even when dealing with a crisis, and are proactive in using both internal and external resources to get through. They are able to manage external stressors and their own emotions in a healthy and positive way.
  3. Physical resilience: Physical resilience refers to the body’s ability to adapt to challenges, maintain stamina and strength, and recover quickly and efficiently. It’s a person’s ability to function and recover when faced with illness, accidents, or other physical demands. Healthy lifestyle choices, connections with friends and neighbors, deep breathing, time well spent to rest and recover and engagement in enjoyable activities all play a role in physical resilience.
  4. Community resilience: Community resilience refers to the ability of groups of people to respond to and recover from adverse situations, such as natural disasters, acts of violence, economic hardship, and other challenges to the group as a whole.
  5. Business resilience: Business resilience is the ability of an organization to quickly adapt to disruptions while maintaining continuous business operations and safeguarding people, assets and overall brand equity.
  6. Organizational resilience: Ability of an organization to anticipate, prepare for, respond and adapt to incremental change and sudden disruptions in order to survive and prosper.
  7. Operational resilience: Ability to deliver critical operations in the face of disruption.
  8. Cyber resilience: Ability of an organization to enable business acceleration by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats. A cyber-resilient organization can adapt to known and unknown crises, threats, adversities, and challenges.
  9. Supply chain resilience: Ability to respond quickly to operational disruptions through flexible contingency planning and forecasting – from material sourcing to logistics and the final delivery of products and services.

How can an individual build their resilience in the workplace?

By developing a variety of effective strategies that reduce vulnerability and susceptibility to stress such as;

  • Understanding the basic elements of resilience
  • Practicing Mindfulness
  • Developing mental agility
  • Taking regular breaks from work
  • Positivity
  • Emotional Insight/Intelligence
  • Spirituality
  • Balance/Work Life Balance
  • Reflection

Tips for building resilience in the corporate world

  1. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is the foundation of resilience. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in physical activity. Self-care also involves setting boundaries and taking time for yourself to recharge and refocus. By prioritizing self-care, employees can reduce stress, boost their energy levels, and improve their overall wellbeing.
  2. Focus on what you can control: It is important to understand that there will always be situations and circumstances that are beyond our control. Instead of dwelling on these things, focus on what you can control, such as your attitude and approach to the situation. By focusing on what you can control, employees can reduce stress and improve their resilience.
  3. Embrace change: Change is inevitable in the corporate world. Embracing change, rather than resisting it, will help you to be more flexible and adaptable in the face of adversity. By embracing change, employees can see new opportunities and find creative solutions to the challenges they face.
  4. Cultivate a positive attitude: A positive attitude can help you to see challenges as opportunities for growth and development. Focus on the good in every situation and look for ways to make the best of it. A positive attitude can help employees to maintain perspective and to see the silver lining in difficult situations.
  5. Seek support: Building resilience is not something that can be done alone. Seek support from colleagues, friends, and family when you need it. Having a strong network of support can provide you with the encouragement and motivation you need to push through difficult times. Additionally, seeking support can help employees to build their resilience by learning from others and sharing their experiences.
  6. Learn from failure: Failure is an inevitable part of life, but it is also an opportunity for growth and learning. When faced with failure, take a step back, reflect on what went wrong, and use this experience to improve for the future.
  7. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment and focusing on what is happening right now. This can help you to stay calm and focused in the face of adversity and maintain perspective.

Develop a growth mindset: Having a growth mindset means that you believe that your abilities and qualities can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset will help you to approach challenges with a sense of determination and confidence.

Increase of Heat: Major Hassle

Summary:

All over the globe, climate change has been a major issue, especially after 2000s. Hot days are becoming more common and hotter over the world. According to statistics, in India heat waves are increasing by five-six events every year. This immoderate heat is taking many lives. Let’s talk about it and make an effort to comprehend so that we can take action.

Reasons:

As we all know “Global warming” is the main reason behind almost every environmental issue. The burning of fossil fuels, logging of forests, and raising livestock all have a rising impact on the climate and temperature of the planet. In a nutshell, it tells us who is responsible for such weather conditions.

Burning fossil fuels, cutting down forest, powering buildings, excessive use of personal transportation, air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol, foam blowing agents causes gases like CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) which is depleting the ozone layer. The stratospheric ozone depletion when CFCs persist in the stratosphere, they split oxygen atoms off ozone (O3) to form oxygen (O2).

This increases the greenhouse effect and causes global warming by adding a significant amount of greenhouse gases to those that are already present in the atmosphere.

The major greenhouse gases are water vapour, which contributes about 36-70% of the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide (CO2), which contributes 9-26%, methane (CH4), which contributes 4-9%, and ozone (O3), which contributes 3-7%. 

Meaning of Heat Wave:

Firstly we have to understand what is heat wave. It is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or deviation to normal. In simple words, it is a condition of air temperature which becomes tragic to human body.

Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40oC or more for Plains and at least 30oC or more for Hilly regions.

In India, heat wave mostly happens from March through June, with a few uncommon instances even occurring in July. May is when the heat wave in India reaches its height. This year in Kolkata, during mid April the temperature rose up to 43oC which led the government to close all the educational institutes. 

Effects of Heat waves on Environment:

Without a corresponding rise in precipitation, heat wave can cause water shortages and increased stress for plants, especially in desert areas. As a result, there will be less plant growth, which is the foundation for energy production and the food chain, and a general drying up of the landscape.

In some parts of Europe, heat wave damaged trees, accelerated leaf fall, and converted carbon-sink landscapes into sources of carbon, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere than was taken in.

Forest fires, which now frequently accompany heat wave, can start and spread quickly under these hot, dry circumstances. It burned more than 15 million hectares of forest, vegetation, and peat land, and crucially in areas devoid of fire-tolerant species. This was the hottest summer in 130 years.

Heat waves can hasten glacier melt and dry up shallow aquatic ecosystems. Five times greater than the typical yearly loss, the European heat wave caused a 10% loss in glacier mass. The French Alps saw similar effects in 2019. Such deep permafrost warming and thawing could eventually lead to landslides and rock collapses, extending the detrimental effects on the environment. 

Heat Wave Effecting Economic Condition:

During heat wave, worker productivity is lower in many economic sectors, particularly in agriculture and construction. It is estimated that 2% of all working hours are lost annually due to either workers being unable to function in the heat or having to work more slowly. By 2030, it is anticipated that lost productivity from workplace heat stress will cost $4.2 trillion annually, primarily in poorer nations, increasing inequality.

Hotter temperatures are expected to have a greater impact on the agricultural sector, where 940 million people make their living, pushing workers, crops, and cattle past their physiological heat and drought tolerances. Loss of workers, poorer harvests for farmers, higher prices for consumers, and other negative effects will occur.

How Heat Wave is affecting humans?

The most serious heat-related condition is heat stroke. It happens when the body loses the ability to regulate its temperature. The sweating process fails, body temperature increases quickly, and the body is unable to cool itself.

Between 1979 and 2018, the death rate as a direct result of exposure to heat generally hovered between 0.5 and 2 deaths per million people, with spikes in certain years.

In India, heat waves have claimed the lives of almost 6,500 people since 2010, and several cities experienced record-breaking temperatures last year. According to scientists, climate change is causing South Asia’s hot spells to become harsher and more frequent.

Precautions to Stay Safe:

Since the heat is rising rapidly, these are the small precautions one take to avoid health issues caused by heat.

Avoid being outside in the sun, especially between noon and three in the afternoon.

Drink enough water and as often as you can, even if you’re not thirsty.

When the temperature is high outside, stay away from physical activity.

Avoid dehydrating substances including alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft beverages.

Eat fresh food and stay away from high-protein foods.

Necessary Measures:

 In order to lessen the detrimental effects of excessive heat, the government has started the Heat-Wave Action Plan seeks to establish a framework for the execution, coordination, and assessment of extreme heat response operations in Indian cities and towns.

The goal of the heat-wave action plan is to get people and communities involved in preventing avoidable health issues for their loved ones during periods of extremely hot weather. This strategy might be helpful to broadcast media and alerting organizations as well. General, social, and economic services may also be disrupted by intense and protracted heat waves. To prepare for and respond to heat waves locally, government agencies will therefore need to collaborate closely with the departments of health and other relevant entities to develop a long-term strategic plan.

Even only one person can make an effort to change the world. Therefore we all should start taking care of Mother Nature by not wasting natural goods like cutting down forests, burning fossil fuels, wasting water and so on.

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