News from NUSCER | Staff Development program

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER), in association with the Staff Development Cell (SDC), Nitte DU conducted a Staff Development Program on 10th October 2020 for the faculty of the institute.

Prof. (Dr) Anirban Chakraborty, Director, NUCSER, welcomed the chief guest, Dr. Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor (Research & Patents), Nitte DU, Ms. Sadhana Deshmukh, Director (SDC), Nitte DU and the resource person, Mr. Y. Gopala Krishnan, Consultant architect.

Dr. Iddya Karunasagar enlightened the participants about the importance of faculty development in the present scenario. The program included sessions on the importance of critical thinking and the advantages & disadvantages of online teaching. The expertise of Mr. Y. Gopala Krishnan and his perspectives, was a refreshing change and provided the much-needed liberty from restricted thinking. He shared his online teaching experiences as a parent and provided a constructive feedback.

Prof. Smitha Hegde, SDC Coordinator, NUCSER thanked the resource person and the faculty members for their active participation in the program.

Dr. NSAM PUC, Nitte | Inaugural ceremony of CET / JEE / NEET coaching classes

The inaugural ceremony of CET / JEE / NEET coaching classes 2020-21 was held on 1st October 2020 at Dr. NSAM PU College, Nitte.

Mr. Yogeesh Hegde, Registrar, Nitte Education Trust inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering. Dr. Chetan DM, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology, NMAMIT, Nitte; Mr. Vasudev Bhat, Principal; Dr. Prakash Shenoy, Vice Principal; Mrs. Bhavani Shetty & Mr. Shantharam Shetty, Sr. Lecturers of the college were present at the program.

One Day Virtual Conference on COVID-19 Pandemic: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

The Corona virus pandemic has created a war-like scenario, damaging health, wealth and well-being except that in this case the whole world is pitted against this deadly virus. The only way to overcome this physical and economic burden is to learn more and more about the disease as global innovation in healthcare is the need of the hour.

With this background, the Nitte-Sakura Science Forum, Nitte (Deemed to be University) in association with University of Miyazaki, Japan organised a one-day Virtual Conference on COVID-19 Pandemic: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow on 14th September 2020.

The Nitte-Sakura Science Forum is a unique initiative of Nitte (Deemed to be University) which began with the MoU signed by Chancellor, Sri. N Vinaya Hegde and Dr. Ikenoue Tsuyomu, President, University of Miyazaki, on 15th September 2016. A total of 51 people from Nitte (Deemed to be University) have been beneficiaries of the Nitte-Sakura Science Forum and several joint activities have also been facilitated through this collaboration.

While Prof. (Dr) Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor, Nitte DU delivered the presidential address, Dr Harish Kumar Madhyastha, Assoc. Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Japan delivered the inaugural address.

Two eminent speakers for the day were Dr. S.P. Srinivas, Assoc. Professor, Indiana University, USA who deliberated on 'Pharmacological Approaches against COVID-19 - A review of current knowledge' and Dr Vimal Karani S, Assoc. Professor, Nutrigenetics & Nutrigenomics (University of Reading) who deliberated on 'Nutrigenetics and Cardio-metabolic diseases: Focus on COVID 19 and Nutrition Security'. The moderator for the session was Dr Harish Kumar Madhyastha.



A panel discussion was next in line on the topic: Live feedback from recovered patients about hospitalization, treatment and post COVID life. The moderator for the session was Dr Vadisha Bhat, Professor, Dept of ENT, KSHEMA and panellists were Dr Ganesh HR, Tutor, Dept.of Microbiology, KSHEMA, Dr Amit Khelgi, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, KSHEMA, Dr Giridhar B H, Professor & Head, Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, KSHEMA.

Prof (Dr) Fatima D’silva, Chairperson, Nitte-Sakura Science Forum welcomed the gathering. Dr. Suchetha Kumari N, Member Secretary, Nitte-Sakura Science Forum thanked the resource persons and participants. Dr. Shilpa S Shetty, Member, Nitte-Sakura Science Forum was the master of ceremonies.

Registration for the virtual conference was free and a total of 1412 people registered. E-certificates were issued to all participants. The entire conference was live streamed on Youtube.

News from Dr. Mundkur Ramanna Shetty Memorial English Medium High School | Gandhi Jayanthi Celebration

The birth anniversaries of the unquestionable heroes of our country, Mahatma Gandhi and the second Prime Minister of Independent India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was celebrated on 2nd October 2020 at Dr. MRSM School. Principal, Mrs. Shreelatha Rao; Mr. Arun Shetty, PTA President and Mr. Poornaprakash, President, Alumni Association paid floral respect to the great souls.

The Principal informed that it was not possible to hold Gandhi within the confines of the picture frame when his greatness is unfathomable. She spoke on the qualities he upheld such as simplicity, doing what he believed was right and his firm belief in non-violent resistance that brought independence to India.

She advised the students to imbibe the notable qualities of Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri and recalled the key role played by him in promoting the Green and White Revolutions that had a great impact on Indian economy, immediately after independence.

Students read verses from the Holy books. All faith prayer was conducted by the teachers. The program was made available to the students online. Members of the PTA and Alumni Association were present.

Dr. N.S.A.M PU College, Mangaluru | Gandhi Jayanti celebration

Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated on 2nd October 2020 at Dr. NSAM PU College, Mangalore. The program began with a prayer ‘Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram’ dedicated to Gandhiji.

Principal Dr. Naveen Shetty K, in his presidential address upheld the values of Gandhi and highlighted the sacrifice he made for the country. He said that Gandhi followed the principles of truth and non-violence which are the essence of all religions. He further said that Mahatma Gandhi succeeded in liberating our country from British who were also influenced by these principles. He added that many countries in the world have also succeeded in their freedom struggle by adopting these principles.

Mr. Mahesh, Kannada faculty compered the program. Mr. Vidyadhar Takur demonstrated free hand exercises to the gathering as part of the 'Fit India Campaign'. Later NSS volunteers cleaned the college premises and planted a few ornamental plants.

All the teaching and non-teaching staff attended the program. The students viewed the program on Google Meet platform. NSS officer, Mrs. Sandhya organized the program.

10th Annual Virtual Convocation of Nitte (Deemed to be University)

Chief Scientist and Deputy Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) Sowmya Swaminathan on Friday said that living in harmony with the environment and animal kingdom was very critical to preventing global pandemics. This week, the world witnesses 32 million known COVID-19 cases and over a million deaths, she said.

She was delivering the convocation address at the 10th Annual Virtual Convocation of Nitte (Deemed to be University) here through a video message. Nitte, on the occasion, conferred a honorary doctorate degree D.Sc on K. Kasturirangan, scientist and Chancellor, Central University of Rajasthan.

Speaking on the pandemic outbreak, Dr. Swaminathan said, “But the fact is that, over the years, viruses have made the jump from the animal kingdom to human beings. We have seen it with HIV, SARS 1, Zika, Nipah and Ebola. There is also a long list of lesser known viruses. Most of these viruses have jumped from animals to human beings. The way in which we are living in harmony with the environment and with the animal kingdom is very critical.”

She said that human beings come into close contact with animals through deforestation by urbanisation. It also includes illegal wildlife trade, where animals come in contact with domesticated species. “It is believed that SARS-CoV-2 virus originated from bats but there was an intermediate host and that investigation is in progress,” she said.

Dr. Swaminathan said that socio-economic disparities impact health outcomes that became clear during the pandemic. Minorities and marginalised people in countries around the world were the most vulnerable. The mortality rate among the Black and the Hispanic populations in the U.S. was two times that of the White American. In the U.K., British Asian minorities, African and Asian ethnic minorities had a much higher incidence of infection.

Scientists had said that the outbreak would happen one day as WHO’s list had a disease called Pathogen X, meaning an unknown disease related to respiratory Pathogen that could occur any time. It was a question of when and not if that there would be a pandemic caused by this type of virus, she added.

Pro-Chancellor M. Shantharam Shetty, Pro Vice-Chancellor M.S. Moodithaya and others were present.

Press release 

Udayavani

Varthabharathi

Times of India

News from NGSMIPS | Corona Awareness Pledge

The NSS unit of NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mangalore organized a program as per the guidelines of the Directorate of NSS, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India to promote a new campaign on COVID-19 awareness on 8th October 2020.

Prof. (Dr) CS Shastry, Principal explained to the students the importance of taking safety precautions and practicing hygienic habits like regular hand washing & sanitization, wearing a mask or face cover and maintaining physical distance etc., to stay safe during this COVID pandemic situation. He also asked the students to pass on this awareness to the family members, friends and others in the community. Then he led all the student NSS volunteers to take the ‘Corona Awareness Pledge’.

News from NGSMIPS | Student Orientation program 2020

The Orientation program for the newly admitted students of B.Pharm & Pharm.D courses was held on 5th October 2020 at the University Auditorium, Paneer campus. Students along with their parents attended the program. Separate sessions were held for the students and parents in order to maintain social distancing.

Dr. R Narayana Charyulu, Vice Principal delivered the welcome address. Dr. CS Shastry, Principal presented a brief introduction of the institute through a timeline walkthrough since its inception in 1983. He appreciated the parents for their bold decision to send their wards to the campus for regular classroom training. He assured the parents that the college has already taken all possible precautions and meticulous care to provide a safe learning environment for their wards by maintaining social distancing, sanitising the classrooms, labs, library, common rooms etc. He reiterated the commitment of the institution in providing the best training and guidance to the students to transform them into responsible, well informed successful professionals.

86 B.Pharm, 27 Pharm.D students and 76 parents attended the program. While majority of the parents gave their consent to conduct on-campus regular classes for their wards, only 8 parents wished the classes be conducted online. Another major concern expressed by parents, especially those residing about 50-60 kms outside Mangalore city was the college timing which was practically difficult to adhere to, since public transport was not operating at full strength due to the pandemic. The Principal assured the parents that their concern would be placed before the management and a befitting solution would be arrived at immediately. All the parents were quite appreciative of the safety precautions and pre-emptive measures adopted by the college.

Col. Surene Subiah, Asst. Director (Student Welfare), Wardens of the boys & girls hostels, teaching & non-teaching staff members were present.

News from NMAMIT | Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti celebrations

The NSS unit of NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte celebrated Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanthi on 2nd October 2020 by organizing a talk on ‘Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM)’ on a virtual platform. The celebration began with a prayer by Ms. Deeksha and the attendees were welcomed by Ms. Shravya. Dr. Srinath Shetty K, Professor & Resident Engineer, NET Campus was the chief guest for the program. He presented a compendious talk regarding waste management and effective disposal of garbage. Dr. Niranjan N Chiplunkar, Principal, NMAMIT presided over the event. The officials of NMAMIT, Heads of Departments, faculty members, NSS student leaders Ms. H Swathi Shenoy & Mr. Kaushik S Shetty and over 100 NSS volunteers witnessed the event. Ms. Sneha delivered the vote of thanks. Ms. Swathi Bhat compered the program.

News from NGSMIPS | International Webinar on Technological Advances in Neuropharmacology

Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive degenerative conditions characterized by uncontrolled neuronal death leading to a progressive decline in brain functions. The limited efficacy of drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases reflects their complex etiology and pathogenesis. The major disorders under this umbrella are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This webinar planned to know few mechanisms and models to understand and focus on the target methods to proceed in research of the particular neurodegenerative disorders.

This webinar organised by NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mangalore was held on 11th September 2020 at 11:30 AM with opening remarks by Prof. (Dr). MS Moodithaya, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Nitte DU. Prof. (Dr) CS Shastry, Convener & Principal, NGSMIPS, delivered the welcome address.

Dr. Srikumar BN, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, delivered a talk on ‘Translatability in Neuroscience Drug Discovery: What role do animal models play?’. Dr. Shanish Antony, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Pharmacy, Govt. Medical College, Kottayam was the moderator for this session. He elaborated the discussion with the experimental models in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Melanie Stefan, Sr. Lecturer, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK delivered a talk on ‘Computational models in synaptic chemistry in health and disease’. Dr. M. Ramanathan, Principal, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore moderated the session with his valuable inputs. Dr. Deepak Nair, Asst. Professor, Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore delivered a talk on ‘Alteration in nanoscale organization of beta amyloidogenic machinery during Alzheimer's disease’. This session was moderated by Dr. Prashanth K Modi, Asst. Professor, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University). The scientific discussion focussed on the missing links in molecular mechanisms of Beta Amyloidogenic Machinery. Dr. Harsha Halahalli, Director, Curriculum Development, Nitte DU dealt with the topic ‘Dopamine and Serotonin in intertemporal decision making’. Dr. Vijay Harbishettar, Consultant Psychiatrist, Bangalore moderated the session with valuable inputs about his clinical experience.

The webinar was attended by more than 200 participants from constituent colleges of Nitte DU and institutions from different parts of the country. Ms. Natasha Naval Aggarwal conducted the proceedings and Dr. Vijay Kumar, Coordinator of the webinar delivered the vote of thanks.

NUCSER welcomes new Director

The teaching faculty, non-teaching staff and research scholars of NUCSER accorded a formal welcome to the new Director, Prof. (Dr) Anirban Chakraborty, at a simple function held at the institute on 1st October 2020. Prof. (Dr) Indrani Karunasagar, who was holding the charge as the Director of the institute welcomed the new Director and handed over the charge to Prof. Anirban. In her parting speech, Dr. Indrani Karunasagar thanked the institute for the support she received during her tenure and wished good luck to the new Director. She also urged the faculty and staff to continue their support to Prof. Chakraborty. In his acceptance speech, Prof. Chakraborty, thanked the management for placing confidence in him to lead the institute and also thanked Dr. Indrani Karunasagar for setting the benchmark that NUCSER is synonymous with. He further stated that success is a team work and it would require the participation of all, to excel in the journey. He further assured the faculty and staff of his support in their endeavors in striving towards quality and excellence in academics and research.

News from NUCSER | Orientation program

Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER) organized a virtual orientation program on the digital platform to formally welcome the first year B.Sc (Honors) Biomedical Science students to the institute on 1st October 2020. 

The former Director of the institute, Prof. (Dr) Indrani Karunasagar, presented the opening remarks briefing about the institute and wished the students for their academic success. In her welcome address, she presented NUCSER as one of the premier institutes of the country and highlighted the research accomplishments of the institute. 

The Director of NUCSER, Prof. (Dr) Anirban Chakraborty, gave an overview of the Biomedical Science program and introduced the faculty and the non-teaching staff of the institute. He congratulated the students for selecting NUCSER as their preferred choice and assured the students of all support in their academic pursuits. 

Dr. Arshdeep Sidhu, Member - Student Welfare Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.

News from NUINS | Orientation program

The orientation program (virtual) for the new admissions to the BSc, PBBSc and MSc Nursing courses was held on 1st October 2020. Students along with their parents participated in the program. Dr. Nalini M, I BSc (Nursing) Coordinator welcomed the students. The Principal, Prof. (Dr) Fatima D’Silva congratulated the students for choosing nursing as their profession. She presented a brief introduction of the college through a timeline since inception of the college in 1992. She also emphasized the impact of technology in the field of education in the pandemic situation. The faculty and students introduced themselves on this occasion. Ms. Latha S, Assoc. Professor & I PBBSc (Nursing) Coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.