JAMMU: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Thursday commenced a two-day programme to mark International Microorganisms Day 2026, bringing together students and researchers to highlight the growing importance of microorganisms in healthcare, agriculture, food production, environmental sustainability, industrial biotechnology and diagnostics.
Organised by the Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology (FMB) Division, the programme is being held on September 17 and 18 under the theme “Understanding the Microfactories for Industrial Production”, with a focus on microbial characterisation and selection for producing industrially important products.
Students from Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Cluster University and the University of Jammu participated in the inaugural session, gaining exposure to CSIR-IIIM’s research facilities and activities. The programme includes expert lectures, laboratory visits and hands-on workshop sessions in the FMB Division.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu and CSIR-NBRI Lucknow, highlighted the beneficial applications of microorganisms across healthcare, agriculture, food production and diagnostics. Describing them as “invisible heroes,” he said microorganisms can function as biological “microfactories” capable of producing antibiotics, active pharmaceutical ingredients and other medicinally valuable compounds.
Dr. Ahmed also highlighted the microbial biodiversity of Jammu, Kashmir and adjoining areas and said students visiting the FMB Division would get an opportunity to understand how microorganisms are collected, characterised and utilised for research and beneficial applications. He encouraged students to explore research and career opportunities available through the institute’s scientific ecosystem.
Er. Abdul Rahim, Scientist-G and Head, RMBD&IST Division and IIIM Srinagar Branch, highlighted the institute’s facilities for microbial cultivation, scale-up and microbiology and encouraged students to participate in research training and internship programmes conducted at CSIR-IIIM.
Dr. Asha Chaubey, Scientist-G and Head, FMB Division, said the programme was designed to help students understand the significance and wide-ranging applications of microorganisms. She highlighted their role in food systems, environmental processes, decomposition, medicine and healthcare, while stressing their potential in developing sustainable solutions to emerging challenges.
The programme provides participants with direct exposure to the institute’s research infrastructure through laboratory visits and hands-on sessions. The second day will continue with workshop activities before the valedictory programme on September 18.
The event also serves as an outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the connection between scientific institutions and college students, enabling young learners to observe ongoing research and explore pathways into scientific research and biotechnology. The proceedings were conducted by Sheikh Aadil, Project Associate, while Dr. Nasir ul Rasheed, Scientist-E, RMBD&IST Division and Nodal, CSIR Skill Initiative, delivered the vote of thanks.
