Bareilly: The upgraded version of the UCIL laboratory in the Department of Plant Science at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University (MJPRU), Bareilly, equipped with advanced research facilities and state-of-the-art instruments, was inaugurated jointly on Sunday by University Vice-Chancellor Professor K.P. Singh and Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar.
Several high-end and modern research instruments have been installed in the laboratory with financial assistance provided by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The new equipment has significantly strengthened the laboratory’s research capabilities, placing it among the advanced facilities available at select universities in the country.
The facility has been developed under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme of ANRF. Under the initiative, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University and IIT Ropar are collaborating on joint research projects.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Professor K.P. Singh said the laboratory would not be restricted to faculty members and students of the university. He said it would also be made available to teachers and students of colleges affiliated with the university for their research work.
Professor Singh expressed confidence that the upgraded laboratory would play a significant role in creating new avenues for advanced research at the university and strengthening its research ecosystem.
Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, praised the Vice-Chancellor for his leadership and highlighted various achievements during his tenure. He expressed hope that the collaboration between the two institutions under the PAIR project would facilitate high-quality and multidisciplinary research in the field of advanced materials, with applications across multiple areas.
Invited Professor V.P. Singh recalled the contributions of former faculty members of the university and appreciated the recognition accorded to them by the Vice-Chancellor. He also highlighted their contribution towards the university achieving the prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation.
Professor Brijesh Kumar provided detailed information about the PAIR project. He said Vice-Chancellor Professor K.P. Singh is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the project. The co-investigators include Professor S.K. Pandey, Professor Naveen, Professor Upendra, Dr Amit Verma, Dr Atul Katiyar and Professor Brijesh Kumar.
The programme was conducted by Professor Alok Srivastava, who highlighted several major initiatives and achievements of the university during Professor K.P. Singh’s six-year tenure.
Professor Sanjay, Professor Ravindra Singh, Professor Manish Rai and Dr Abha Trivedi also shared their views on the occasion.
Faculty members, research scholars and other members of the university community attended the programme. The inauguration of the upgraded laboratory, equipped with advanced research instruments, was described as a significant step towards strengthening research, innovation and academic collaboration at the university.
Report: Akhilesh Chandra Saxena, Bareilly
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