RONO HILLS, 28 Sep: A programme themed 'Popularisation of Life Science' was organised by the zoology department of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) here on 27 September, which was attended by 85 students of Class 7 to 10.
Designed as a social outreach and sensitisation initiative, the programme sought to give school students an early, firsthand experience of a university science department, and to show them what higher education and research in the life sciences look like in practice.
The students were from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Nirjuli; Kendriya Vidyalaya, NERIST campus; Senior Secondary School, RGU campus; and Alphabet Public School, Amba, Doimukh.
Attending the programme, RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Shivraj commended the zoology department for its vision and efforts. He emphasised that the university should conduct more such social outreach programmes to give students wider exposure, and added that future editions should include more schools.
Zoology HoD Prof DN Das spoke on "the beauty of life science and zoology." He described zoology as a subject that helps understand the living world, from the smallest insect to the largest animal.
Dr Arnab Ghosh, organising secretary and convener, said that "social outreach and sensitising young school students to higher education and research at an early age are key components of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020." He said that engagements like this would plant the seed of scientific curiosity in young minds.
The day began with poster-making and model-making competitions on the theme 'Science in Everyday Life', held in two groups: Class 7-8 and Class 9-10. The students displayed 52 posters and 15 models and explained their ideas to the judges and visitors.
A quiz competition followed, testing the participants' knowledge of life science and general science, and drew lively participation and keen interest from the audience. All the competitions were judged by external experts from allied departments of the university.
The students were then taken on a tour of the department's laboratories and museum collections.
Later, the vice-chancellor handed over certificates and medals to all the prize winners.
