JAMMU: As part of CSIR Integrated Skill Initiatives, two job-oriented skill development programmes under the theme "Industrial Microbiology" and "Cloning and Protein Expression" commenced at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, here today, in which, 50 participants drawn from all over India, including states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar, Goa, Ladakh and UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prof. Kuldeep Krishan Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, was the chief guest at the inaugural event.

While addressing the participants on the occasion, Prof. Sharma appreciated the efforts of the organization for conducting such types of hands-on training for youngsters, which would indeed have a significant impact on their career and job opportunities.

Highlighting the initiatives of skilling laid down in the New Education Policy 2020, he underscored the need of imparting practical viz-a-viz hands-on-training so that the trainees obtain the real skill which will immensely benefit them. He also advised the young participants to work hard to excel in their lives, irrespective of the area or field they adopt to make their career.

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM in his address to the participants, spoke about the legacy of IIIM and the present-day major R&D and Societal Mission Programmes being implemented here.

He also informed that the team of scientists at CSIR-IIIM besides having focus on core research on various disease areas, has been executing societal mission programmes such as the CSIR Aroma Mission, Floriculture Mission, Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission, which have a direct relation with the local economy.

Er. Abdul Rahim, Head, RMBD&IST division gave insights into the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative. Dr. Asha Chaubey, Head of Fermentation Technology Division and Dr. Kuljit Singh, Scientist, Infectious Diseases Division, who are the coordinators of these programmes, shared the workshop modules, being conducted back-to-back.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Sumit Gandhi, Head, Infectious Diseases Division, introduced the chief guest to the participants and presented an outline of the three days' programmes.

The workshops are being organized under the patronage of Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM and the supervision of Er Abdul Rahim. Dr. Nasir-ul-Rasheed, senior scientist, assisted in the coordination.

Arushe Tickoo conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session and Dr. Nasir ul Rasheed presented a formal vote-of-thanks.