BBAU Hosts Second Session of 'Eminent Lecture Series' Focused on Biotechnology's Dual Nature
Lucknow desk (R L Pandey). Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, successfully organized the second session of its prestigious 'Eminent Lecture Series', under the leadership of the Committee for Eminent Lectures. The event was graced by several distinguished academicians and focused on the evolving landscape of biotechnology in the modern world.
Distinguished Guests and Opening Ceremony
The event was presided over by Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, Vice Chancellor of BBAU. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Krishnamoorthy Kannan, Former Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Nagaland and Former Vice Chancellor of BBAU. Other notable guests included Prof. S. Victor Babu, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Prof. Shilpi Verma, Chairperson of the organizing committee.
The session commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp and floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, symbolizing the university’s homage to its visionary namesake. Guests were warmly welcomed with flower bouquets and books as tokens of appreciation. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Shilpi Verma, who elaborated on the goals and outline of the series. The session was anchored by Dr. Shikha Tiwari.
Biotechnology and Social Impact: Vice Chancellor’s Perspective
In his introductory remarks, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal highlighted the critical role of biotechnology in public welfare, especially in sectors like healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition. He emphasized the potential of affordable medicines, vaccines, and early disease diagnostics to uplift the lives of underprivileged communities. Prof. Mittal also urged the government to strengthen efforts to bring back Indian biotechnology experts working abroad through initiatives like ‘Brain Gain’, which offer world-class research opportunities, attractive remuneration, and socio-academic support.
Keynote Address: "A Tale of Two Biotechnologies"
Delivering his keynote lecture titled “A Tale of Two Biotechnologies: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”, Prof. Krishnamoorthy Kannan provided a thought-provoking analysis of the dual nature of biotechnology. On one hand, he acknowledged significant breakthroughs in areas such as personalized medicine, genetic therapies, sustainable agriculture, and industrial applications integrated with AI. On the other hand, he raised concerns about ethical dilemmas, economic accessibility, biosecurity, and the high cost of advanced treatments.
Prof. Kannan also shed light on the evolution of microscopy and its indispensable role in diagnosing diseases and studying cellular mechanisms. He touched upon landmark discoveries including DNA’s double helix structure, recombinant DNA technology, and analytical tools like electrophoresis, spectroscopy, and chromatography. He described today's biotechnologists as molecular mathematicians who use the “addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division” of biomolecules for the betterment of humanity.
Future Prospects and Challenges in Biotechnology
Prof. S. Victor Babu presented an insightful session discussing the upcoming challenges and future opportunities in biotechnology, emphasizing the need for strategic research and collaborative innovation.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where both Prof. Mittal and Prof. Kannan addressed queries from faculty members. Dr. Sunil Babu Gosipatala delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the contributions of the organizing team and participants.
Event Attendance
The lecture session witnessed active participation from registrar officials, deans of various schools, department heads, faculty members, non-teaching staff, and research scholars, reflecting the academic enthusiasm and institutional commitment towards emerging scientific fields.