PU Chandigarh celebrates World Environment Day

Chandigarh: 
UIPS, PU CELEBRATED WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
On the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, MHRD’s Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) of the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh organized a Webinar on “SIGNIFICANCE OF ECOSYSTEM DURING DESIGN PHASE IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY” by Dr Rakesh Kumar Bhasin, Vice President & Head R & D (Formulation), Biocon Pharma Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, under the UIPS Expert Talk Series, today.
Professor Indu Pal Kaur, Chairperson, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Chandigarh extended a cordial welcome to all the participants and introduced the dignitaries. 
Dr Suman Mor, Chairperson & Associate Professor, Department of Environment Studies, graced the occasion as a Guest of Honor. Dr Mor enlightened that we are celebrating 47th year of World Environment Day on the theme “Ecosystem Restoration” with a focus to strengthen our relation with nature and for year 2021 Pakistan has been declared as global host. She stressed upon the importance of 3R strategies i.e. Reimagine, Recreate and Restore for the sustainable future. Further she encouraged participants, that the responsibility of pharmaceutical professionals is bigger, therefore students and industry should try to commit to zero emission, zero discharge, reduced carbon footprints, and green pharmacy practices for Clean and healthy nature. 
Dr Bhasin sensitised the participants that building a smart ecosystem is a regulatory requirement in the Pharmaceutical Industry. He addressed the need to preserve the ecosystem during the design phase and its upgradation, according to the current regulations. Failing this, can lead not only to the disasters in terms of health, safety, environmental hazards but also heavy business losses, which could completely wipe out existence of any organization. 
Dr Bhasin is a proud UIPS alumnus with more than 25 years of Executive and Industrial Experience in R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Compliance and Operations. The session evoked excellent response among participants witnessed by an interactive Q/A session.
Professor Poonam Piplani, Professor Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Convener, Lecture organising team concluded the session by extending vote of thanks. More than 100 participants attended the talk.

TREE PLANTATION BY PU VC
The Horticulture Division of Panjab University today organized plantation drives at various places in Panjab University, under the able guidance of Prof. Raj Kumar,  Vice Chancellor, Panjab University to celebrate the World Environment Day.
The Vice Chancellor planted about 51 trees near Girls Hostel no. 5 in the presence of security guards, mallies, cleaners, drivers of the university to boost the morale of all the frontline workers who have worked exceptionally during the COVID 19 phase.
Prof. S. K. Tomar, Dean Student Welfare; Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean Student Welfare (W); Prof. Ashok Kumar, Associate Dean Student Welfare, Prof. R. K. Puri, Chairperson, Department of Physics and students of Panjab University graced the occasion. Trees of gular, peepal, neem, barghad, kaner, morpankhi, ficus, chandni, sukchain, saru were planted. The Vice Chancellor said on this occasion that all sections of the society should come forward for such initiatives and try to make the campus greener.
The plantations were also carried out at various departments which were presided over by Prof. V. R. Sinha, Dean of University Instruction. At Dental College, Prof. Hemant Batra, Director, Dental College and at UIET, Prof. J. K. Goswamy, Director, UIET alongwith Prof. Parveen Goyal planted trees. The plantations at Departments of Microbiology and Biotechnology were attended by Prof. R. C. Sobti, ex Vice Chancellor, Panjab University; Prof. Kashmir Singh, Chairperson, Deptt. Of Biotechnology; Prof. Deepak Rahi, Chairperson, Deptt. Of Microbiology and other faculty.
Er. Anil Thakur, Divisional Engineer(H), Panjab University expressed his gratitude to all the attendees to make this event successful and said the Horticulture Division has plans to do large no. of plantations during the coming monsoon season in a planned manner to make the campus look more beautiful.

TREE PLANTATION AT BH3
A tree plantation drive was organised in the BioGas Plant of BH:3.Panjab University by the staff, residents and warden of the hostel to celebrate World Environment Day. The role of clean and safe environment, particularly during the current pandemic, was discussed  among the participants and the necessity of a clean environment was urgently felt. 
 
WEBINAR ON CREATIVITY AND DESIGN THINKING BY UIFT & VD, PU
University Institute of Fashion Technology & Vocational Development, (UIFT & VD) in collaboration with Telecommunication Research Laboratory, UIET, Panjab University, Chandigarh, organized a webinar titled “Creativity and Design Thinking”. 
Dr Anu H. Gupta, Chairperson of UIFT & VD, welcomed the speaker Deepti Baweja, Communication Designer and Design Consultant from Delhi.
Prof. Sakshi Kaushal, Coordinator CSE, UIET introduced the resource person with the participants. A gold medalist from Delhi University, Deepti Baweja is a practicing professional and educationist with an experience of around 35 years. She has been closely associated with the design and media industry. She has her creative practice in Delhi and has leveraged her design competency to grow several brands. 
Is innovation a mystical event that occurs in a flash of unexplainable brilliance, or is it a process? More so, is it a teachable and repeatable process? This webinar introduced the participants to creative confidence and design thinking process and principles which help drive innovation and creative problem solving. The resource person remarked that creative ability is to think differently and to take challenges. Imagination is the door to ample possibilities. She also added that creative confidence is about believing one’s ability to create change in the world around. It is a conviction that one can achieve what one set out to do. It is the ability to take on problems for which one does not have a clear answer. She said, “Whether one is a computer science engineer or a fashion designer, one’s willingness to take new things despite one can do or not, is much more important than ability to draw. The belief of willingness is important to come up with innovative solutions and ideas.” She elaborated how one can transform ideas into innovative products and services that are of great value. The adoption of these techniques makes organizations more empathetic, consumer centric and fast moving. These techniques have the power to solve the world’s most complex problems.
Many new insights were given to the participants for their design assignments that they discussed with the resource person. The webinar was thought-provoking and interactive. Prof Harish Kumar, Department of Computer Science Engineering, UIET thanked and appreciated the insights provided by the resource person and remarked that technology when combined with creativity and design thinking can create a magnificent product line.
More than 100 participants  including Faculty members of the department and various colleges, research scholars and students of Fashion Technology and engineering Technology attended the webinar.
 
NSS PU RUNS ECO WARRIOR MILLION TREES CAMPAIGN
An online Campaign was organized on June 5, 2021 to commemorate Environment Day at Panjab University under the aegis of NSS unit.
Dr. Naveen Kumar, Programme Officer and coordinator of this e-campaign inspired the NSS volunteers to pledge to plant 100 trees in their life-time, and asked each one to plant at least one tree on this pious day. Dr. Naveen Kumar made volunteers learn that the concept of Sustainability has to be embraced and integrated with each activity, process, and technology. Sustainability is only possible when all 3Ps i.e. Planet, People and Profits are well taken care of simultaneously. One shall assume that the environment is what is lent to us for our future generations rather than treating it as we have bequeathed it from our ancestors. Considering it, one shall take utmost care of our planet. The efforts of all volunteers in making this online campaign a success were appreciated by the Programme Officer.