SMVDU Biotechnology Students and Faculty undertake Industry Visit

A one day industry visit as an essential part of the study curriculum was organized by the School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra on 5^th December 2023. The undergraduates and post graduate students pursuing Biotechnology visited the Kingfisher mineral water bottling unit and food processing   unit at Panthal (Katra). Students had the opportunity to explore the different units of a distillation/ food processing plant and engage in insightful discussions with industry experts and were provided with a comprehensive briefing on the essential entrepreneurship skills required for establishing units under the start-up programs initiated by the Government of India. Students were provided with valuable insights into the intricate workings and processing methods involved in the production of various beverages. The students visited the various bio processing sections and had a firsthand experience of the various steps involved including pasteurization, filling, quality control checks etc.   The students and the faculty also had an opportunity to interact with the founder chairman of this industry who encouraged the students to go in for start ups and emphasized on starting an industry at the local level generating livelihood opportunities for the local population. The visit was conceptualized and managed by the coordinator of the industrial and educational visits, SoBT, Dr. Indu Bhushan with the encouragement and coordination of Dr. Ratna Chandra, Head of the School of Biotechnology. The other faculty members accompanying the students included Dr. Vinod Singh, Dr. Parvez Singh Slathia, Er. Arvind Yadav, and Mr. Pankaj Suden. Prof. Pragati Kumar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, expressed satisfaction towards the efforts of the faculty of the School of Biotechnology towards overall grooming and development of their students as able professionals. He laid stress on organizing more of such visits to add to the practical and firsthand experience of the students at SMVDU.