Patna: A four-day hands-on training programme on “Laboratory Skills and Entrepreneurship: A One Health Approach to Soil, Animal and Human Health” concluded at the ICAR–Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER), Patna, on August 21.
Organised from August 18 to 21, the programme aimed to provide young students with practical laboratory skills, exposure to modern diagnostic techniques and an understanding of entrepreneurship opportunities in laboratory-based services.
Training Focused On One Health Approach
The training followed the One Health approach, highlighting the links between soil, environmental, animal and human health.
Participants received hands-on training in soil analysis, microbial techniques, bacterial culturing, ELISA, nucleic acid isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis and real-time PCR.
They were also introduced to bioinformatics and human diagnostic laboratory practices. A farm visit was organised to help participants understand the application of scientific and laboratory skills in field conditions.
16 Participants From Six Institutions
A total of 16 participants from six institutions took part in the programme. They came from Chemistry, Zoology, Pharmacology, Botany and Biotechnology backgrounds.
The participants included undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, with women accounting for 50 per cent of the total participation.
Focus On Skills And Entrepreneurship
Dr Anup Das, director of ICAR-RCER, congratulated the participants and appreciated the practical nature of the programme.
Das described youth as an important strength of the country and encouraged the participants to carry forward the skills, confidence and curiosity developed during the training.
He stressed the importance of continuously updating scientific knowledge and applying laboratory skills to real-life problems. He also emphasised the need to connect scientific training with employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Das highlighted the relevance of the One Health concept and the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.
Laboratory Entrepreneurship Highlighted
An important component of the programme was laboratory entrepreneurship, which encouraged participants to explore laboratory-based services and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond conventional employment.
The programme brought together practical laboratory training, One Health principles, youth skill development and entrepreneurship.
According to Umesh Kumar Mishra, member secretary, Media, ICAR-RCER, the heads of divisions, scientists and other staff of the institute were present during the programme.
