National Institute of Immunology (NII) signs MoUs to promote science education in colleges

New Delhi: The National Institute of Immunology (NII) today signed Memorandum of Understanding with various Delhi colleges for participation of its Scientists/ faculty in teaching of undergraduate students in these colleges under a programme titled as ‘Science Setu’.

This followed a speech by the Prime Minister on the last Teachers' Day, wherein he had called upon Indian scientists to actively involve themselves in teaching in schools and colleges. Subsequently the Ministry of Science & Technology had sent a communication to the National Institute of Immunology (NII) through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on which the NII had taken a follow up action.

NII held consultations with the teaching community of various colleges and as of now, Ten (10) Delhi University Colleges (Daulat Ram College, Dyal Singh College, Gargi College, Hansraj College, Hindu College, Miranda House, Ramjas College, SGTB Khalsa College, Sri Venkateswara College, Zakir Hussain Delhi Collge) agreed to be partners in the Science Setu programme. NII has formally signed MoUs with them today. More colleges are likely to be recruited. The programme generated a great deal of goodwill and excitement among the academic community, and will benefit both NII and the partner institutions.

Under this programme, every permanent faculty member of NII is expected to spend at least 12 hours per year in an undergraduate college.

NII intends to commence this programme w.e.f. the new semester starting from July 2015 or even earlier during the summer vacation at the colleges as per the needs of individual partners.

A quiz was also organized for undergraduate students to mark the occassion and the winning and runners up teams were awarded prizes.

Secretary, Department of Bio Technology, Dr K. VijayRaghvan, was the Chief Guest at the function. Professor Raghavendra Gadagkar, IISc, Bengaluru and President INSA, delivered a talk on the subject titled as- "Science Education Indisciplined".

Apart from the faculty and the staff of NII, principals, teachers and students from the partner colleges to participated in significant numbers in the launch function of ‘Science Setu’.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.