A one day workshop on ‘Technical Writing and Interview Skills’ was organized on 30th January 2016 at C6 Hall of Department of Chemistry between 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM for the final year students of science faculty.

The detailed program is as follows:

The heads of all the science departments were requested to send the list of interested students to participate in this workshop. 194 students from Biotech, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Geology and Physics Departments participated in this workshop.

Four interactive sessions were organized during this workshop. The inauguration of the workshop was done in the presence of Hon. Principal Dr. Ravindrasinh G. Pardeshi. In his inaugural speech, Dr. Pardeshi highlighted different initiatives taken by the Fergusson College for the student’s welfare. He also narrated different activities conducted under DBT Star College Scheme. He mentioned the importance of soft skill training for the students entering into professional life.

The first session of the workshop was conducted by Mr. Amit Murugkar, Director, Evolve Training and Development, Mumbai on the topic SOP and CV writing, during which he mentioned the importance of writing a very effective SOP in order to get selected in overseas Universities. He also explained the difference between CV, Bio data and Resume and how to present you through an impressive CV. During the interactive session, he also discussed the Dos and Don’ts while writing SOP and CV.

The second session of the workshop was conducted by Mr. Sanjeev Sood, Placement Counsellor, RCF, Mumbai on the topic How to face interviews? During this session he guided the audience about how to prepare for interviews. He discussed the general mannerism that should be followed throughout the processes of the interview. During the interactive session, he discussed Dos and Don’ts during the process of interview.

The third session of the workshop was conducted by Dr. Shridhar Gokhale, Ex-Head, Dept. of English, SP Pune University on the topic Technical English. He explained different aspects of Technical communication. He also demonstrated how to do effective verbal communication and also how to write grammatically correct sentences. Students also interacted with him at the end of session.

The fourth session of the workshop was conducted by Dr. Shashidhar, Principal Scientist, National Chemical laboratory, Pune.During this session, he guided students about the ethics and methodology of scientific writing. He explained different aspects of abstract writing, referencing, title of the paper, authors etc.

Lecture Series on ‘Eukaryotic Genetics’

Date	Speaker	TOPIC
25 th January	Dr. Surendra Ghaskadbi Agharkar Research Institute, Pune	Molecular regulation of evolution of body plan in animals
27 th January	Dr. Prasad Bhagat National Chemical Laboratory, Venture Centre, Pune	Overview and history of eukaryotic genetics
28 th January	Dr. Lalita Limaye, National Center for Cell Science, Pune	Stem cells with special reference to haematopoietic stem cells
29 th January	Dr. B. B. Nath, Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune	Modern Chromosomal Genetics: Application & Future perspectives
30 th January	Dr. Deepti Deobagkar, Department of Microbiology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune	Metagenomics and exploration of Marine ecosystems
2 nd February	Dr. Vasudevan Seshadri National Center for Cell Science, Pune	Host factors contributing to parasite infection - Malaria
2nd February	Dr. Nagaraj Balasubramanian, Indian Institute for Science Education and Research,Pune	To stick or not to stick that is the question: The role of cell adhesion in our lives
4 th February	Dr. Sanjeev Galande Indian Institute for Science Education and Research,Pune	From genome to epigenome: New perspective for understanding of complex diseases

The participating students were majorly from microbiology stream. They usually do not get a chance to learn about eukaryotic genetics as their syllabus is focused on prokaryotic systems. Hence this lecture series theme proved to be very beneficial to them and they might use the knowledge in their future research careers. The ideas discussed by all the speakers sparked a lively debate among all the students and the interaction they had with the speakers would prove to be very beneficial to them.

Debate Competition on Climate Change: Role and Responsibilities

Dr. Rajendra Shende	Former Director in UNEP, Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre
Dr. Gurudas Nulkar	Associate Professor and Head Ex MBA Program, Symbiosis International University
Dr. Sanjeev Nalawade	Head, Geography Department, Fergusson College, Pune
Smt. Sunita Gupta	Head, Sociology Department, Fergusson College, Pune
Smt. Rupali Gaikwad	Head, Environmental Science Department, Fergusson College, Pune

All panel members expressed their view on this topic in the context of the role of industries and society in climate change.

Dr. Gurudas talked more about renewable energy and other resources. He talked about the role and responsibilities of climate change. Dr. Nalawade talked about life cycle assessment of a product in an industry and how it can be conducted.

Head of the department of environmental science Mrs. Rupali Gaikwad gave vote of thanks to each guest and audience, participant, organizers.

At the end of the program, winners of the debate competition were awarded with cash prizes and books on climate change by the guest.

Guest lecture by: Dr. Madhavrao Gadgil

On 17th December 2015, the department of Environmental Science on behalf of Fergusson College organised a guest lecture by Padmabhushan Padmashree Dr. Madhavrao Gadgil under the DBT star Program. After Saraswati Pujan, Dr. Sachin Khedkar Sir delivered the welcome address. A brief introduction of guest was given by a student & Dr. Khedkar Sir felicitated Dr. Gadgil.

In the initial talk of Madhavrao Gadgil with the students, he spoke about the role of environmentalists in today’s world. He talked about the positive and negative things faced by environmentalists. He emphasized on the opportunities available for environmentalists. He shared his experience when he was the chairman on Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel which was an Environmental Research Commission.

He explained ways available for common people to develop a scientific temper and conserve environment by some innovative ideas. He also appreciated the role of social media and search engines as an information provider

At the end of the session he interacted with the students feeding their inquisitiveness. The vote of thanks was given by the head of Environmental Science, Mrs. Rupali Gaikwad.

Intercollegiate Poster Competition: Magical Nanoworld

Sr.No.	Name of Students	Name of College	Class
1.	Soching Luikham (Micro)	Modern College, Ganeshkhind,Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
2.	Parisee Shirke (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
3.	Nilam Mahadik (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
4.	Sushma Vaidya (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
5.	Neha Visal (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
6.	Monika Jawale (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
7.	Amruta Pawar (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
8.	Meghana Roychoudhury (Phy)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
9.	Akash Jagtap	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
10	Mohini Shinde (Physics )	Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi	T.Y. B.Sc.
11	Prajakta Jadhav (Biotech)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
12	Pravin Hivare (Biotech)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
13	Shashank Shrikant (Geo)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
14	Ayesha Minaz Pathan (Bot)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
15	Anuja Kamble (Bot)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
16	Vikram Patil (Physics)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
17	Prasad Waman (Physics)	Fergusson College, Pune	T.Y. B.Sc.
18	Ratanadip Koyale	Sinhgad College of Science	S.Y. B.Sc.
19	Desai Ankita (Physics)	Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Akurdi	T.Y. B.Sc.
20	Akshay Borkar	Fergusson College, Pune	S.Y. B.Sc.

Science Exhibition

Interaction with Prof. J.K.Pal, BSR Fellow, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Themes

● Scientific breakthroughs in Life Sciences in 20th Century
● Posters:
(a) Statistics in Army/ War/ How Alan Turing used Stats and German Lost
(b) Big Data Analysis (How Statistics is used in Internet.)

Qualitative improvements due to DBT support

The scheme has given an opportunity to undergraduate students to upgrade / update their practical skills apart from their prescribed curriculum which has promoted the concept of “going beyond the curriculum”.

1. Lectures and interactions with Experts from National Institutes and Industries have added to the knowledge base of our students.
2. Students have been given free hand to come to the laboratory anytime and work for their mini projects, explore equipments / instruments and interact with teachers. 3. Workshops for school children and school teachers have been one of the popular programmes under this scheme.
4. Exhibitions and poster competitions for students have enhanced their presentation and competitive spirits. The best example could be of programmes conducted by department of Biotechnology and Chemistry.

Novel aspect introduced or planning to introduce during the Scheme duration.

1. Under the DBT Scheme we have initiated a programme called “Understanding and Broadcasting Science”. This could be considered as a novel approach where the College is involved in promotion of science through popular lectures, hands-on demonstration for school children and for school teachers.
2. Portable Amateur Radio Telescope, with dish of 1.8 m, was successfully built by the students.
3. Students visit to Sriharikota to witness the launch of CHANDRAYAN II on 14th July 2019.

Self-Evaluation

Objectives for Quantitative Metrics (two points each)

1. Skill Development
2. Learning beyond the curriculum
3. Expert interaction
4. Project Based Learning
5. Field based learning

Department	Objective (as stated in proposal)	% achieved	Reasons for underachievement / If achieved, state in quantitative metrics
Biotechnology	1. Reaching maximum students from school to college 2. Educating teacher’s about basic biotechnology techniques with more focus on interdisciplinary aspects 3. Introduction of new practicals - Model Systems in Biology (regeneration in hydra) 4. Introducing bioinformatics at undergraduate level 5. Workshops on applied aspects like working of fermenters for all students (Biotechnology / Chemistry / Microbiology / Zoology)	100	08
Chemistry	1. Efforts for attracting students towards Chemistry and motivating them to do experiments in Chemistry 2. Assign mini research projects to inculcate scientific and independent thinking ability in designing methodology for synthesis and analysis of chemical transformations. 3. Training students regarding scientific literature survey, collecting references and creating awareness about plagiarism. 4. Expose students to spectroscopic techniques / methods of characterization of synthesized compounds. 5. Organize popular lectures and promote interactions.	100	08
Computer Science	1. Provide students with updated knowledge in computer science with reference to web designing, data sciences and training to college faculty 2. Support innovative ideas in computer sciences in the form of projects (selective) and inculcate research ideas amongst students.	100	08
Electronic Science	1. Experimental skills enhancement through Hands On training 2. Value addition to the learning and teaching process through circuit simulations 3. Live interactions with industrial 4. Exposure to new application domains through guest lectures 5. Stimulate original thinking through mini research projects	100	08
Environmental Science	1. Provide skill-based practicals for undergraduate students. 2. More focus on various field techniques 3. Awareness programmes to educate students and general public.	100	10
Geology	1. Field based teaching - learning 2. Exposure to application-based areas in geology	100	08
Microbiology	1. Teach Basic skills in microbiology to science students 2. Introduce industry based (basic) practical skills. 3. Reach out to Schools and School teachers.	100	08
Physics	1. Nurture students in areas of Astronomy and Astrophysics 2. Skill oriented practicals in Physics	100	08
Statistics	1. Training science students in use of statistical techniques	100	06
Zoology	1. Basic Bioinstrumentation practicals 2. Exposure to Hands On Training in areas like Embryology and Virology 3. Introducing students to other allied areas in biological sciences in the curriculum.	100	08