In continuation with the celebrations NIPER week –Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, on 9th October, 2021, Four lectures under the heading “Popular Science Lectures” were delivered by the BoG Members / Superannuated faculty members on the theme “Pharmaceutical Education and Research @ 75” at NIPER, SAS Nagar. All the speakers were of very high academic standards and achievements.
Today’s session started with the talk of Dr. Mukul Jain, President, Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, BoG – NIPER Ahmedabad. Dr. Jain, elaborated the details of developing the drug Saroglitazar. Initially he explained the challenges in drug discovery, later he explained the PPAR(alpha) agonist for the treatment of NAFLD & NASH conditions.
The session was continued with the next talk by Prof. Asit K. Chakraborti, Ex. Professor & HoD, NIPER SAS Nagar on the topic “The Paradigm shift in Pharmaceutical Education and Research”. He explained how the NIPER MS system is different from and better than the post graduate teaching in M Pharm studies. He emphasized that the cross talk between organic and medicinal chemistry scientist is essential for successful drug development.
Prof. U.C. Banerjee, Ex-Professor & HoD, NIPER SAS Nagar, delivered his talk on “Innovations in teaching learning pedagogy. “Role of teachers and students to develop institute and nation”. Prof. Banerjee quoted the messages of Swami Vivekanada and also from Bhagavatgita to emphasize on the role of teachers and the students. He explained that the education is not the amount of information passed from teachers to the students. The feedback and review system should be in place in every modern educational institute.
The session was continued with the talk of Prof. P.P. Singh, Ex-Professor, NIPER SAS Nagar. Prof. Singh gave a very stimulating lecture on the vaccine development for malaria. This is quite timely because an anti-malarial vaccine was approved by WHO. He elaborated the obstacles/difficulties in the development of malaria vaccine. He also provided glimpses of developing the vaccine Mosquirix (from European Medicines Agency). The Corona pandemic disturbed the vaccine trials, however, the situation is improving.
During today’s lectures, the Director NIPER, SAS Nagar along with senior professors introduced the speakers to the audience. At last Prof. Rahul Jain, Dean, NIPER thanked the speakers for such wonderful lectures.