Biotechnology and Microbiology programs of MNS Dept, BRAC University in collaboration with American Society for Microbiology (ASM) organized a day-long workshop on 19 December 2016 at the auditorium of BRAC University.
At the Inaugural Function Professor Dr. Niyaz Ahmed, Senior Director, LSSD, icddr,b gave a keynote speech entitled ‘Understanding the bacterial pathogens: from genes to genomes to systems’. Professor Dr. Firdausi Qadri, ASM Ambassador to Bangladesh elaborated on ASM’s role in developing future generations in the field of microbiology. Professor AA Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, MNS Department, BRAC University was present in the occasion as the Chief Guest. He encouraged the young students to take-up career in biology specially microbiology and biotechnology as this Century, according to him belong to the biologists.
In the following sessions a debate was held where students of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and Jahangirnagar University took part. Later, more than 20 students from Southbreeze School and Scholastica School participated in a training program. During this session they had hands-on experience of basic techniques of microbial and molecular biological experiments.
At the Closing Session Professor Dr. Rita Yusuf, the Dean of the School of Life Sciences, IUB was present as the Chief Guest and distributed certificates among the participants. She also handed over the crest to IUB students, the winning team of the debate competition. In her speech Prof. Yusuf stressed on the need to pursue life science to find out many unanswered questions which needed to be addressed right now. The function ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. Aparna Islam, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Biotechnology Program, MNS Dept, BRAC University.
BRAC University hopes to arrange more of such program to encourage young students building career in biological sciences.