Biovision -  National level Symposium

The School of Life Sciences had been organizing national level symposia for students to learn the current & future trends in advanced biological sciences. The objective of the symposium is to excite the student community about research & career opportunities, & to forge new relationships between faculty at Aurora, other institutions & industry. Students & teachers gather for a two day conference to hear internationally acclaimed scientists & leaders of industry present their vision of the state of the science of biotechnology and the future of the life science enterprise. Distinguished speakers address various aspects of biology including education and newly developing technologies, both of which will profoundly impact science and medicine throughout the next century. Speakers are invited from prestigious organizations across the country like National Centre for Biological sciences, Indian institute of science,  Centre for cellular & Molecular biology, Centre for DNA finger printing & diagnostics, L.V. Prasad eye institute, ICRISAT just to name a few to deliver their lectures on varied topics in advanced biological sciences.

The symposium addresses the challenges of educating future scientists stating that researchers will be required to draw upon mathematics, computer science, and biology and that education should reflect these broadened needs. There is an urgent need to address the importance of integrating multiple scientific disciplines to tackle the enigmas of biology and medicine which will challenge mankind in the future. Last but not the least, these symposia stress the importance of educating the general public about subjects like Biotechnology & ways in which it can improve people's lives. The events provide students with an opportunity to meet and talk with professionals & faculty from a variety of backgrounds. Students & teachers discuss issues impacting science & medicine, such as the safety of Bioengineered products, the role of public & private funding of research, ethical issues involved in conducting & applying Biotechnology research & awareness about intellectual property rights.

The school of life sciences is now encouraged by prestigious organizations like the CCMB, CDFD along with the prestigious Indian academy of sciences. Most importantly our symposia enables teachers learn through interaction with researchers & implement the same in our institution. Faculty will not only gain a better understanding of the current driving forces for innovation but also insights into some of the research training needs for the industry, applicability to their own research, as well as the possible development of curricula in appropriate directions.

All the lectures by distinguished speakers are interactive, where in the students get an opportunity to personally meet & discuss with researchers about the current trends in advanced biology. The school has a centre for projects which emphasizes the need of sending students for external as well as in house projects. Symposia enables us spark new collaborations, and to identify means and opportunities for strategic advancement in this important area.

The format of the symposium would include paper & poster presentations by undergraduate & post graduate students from various institutions across the country. In order to attend symposium students need to present a paper/ poster describing the relevant work & submit an abstract of 200 - 400 words. Selection will be based on the review of these abstracts by a panel of judges from academia & industry. In addition to using these selected abstracts to organize the symposium the organizers will work on preparing a 'Souvenir' to document the relevant work of the school of life sciences, details of the symposium, & selected abstracts to help identify the potential for new collaborative work.