Activities

International Conference on Advances in Plant Science (APS 2024) organised by Department of Botany in association with Kerala State Higher Education Council 

The PG Department of Botany at KAHM Unity Women’s College, Manjeri, in collaboration with the Kerala State Higher Education Council, successfully organised the International Conference on Advances in Plant Science (APS 2024) on 25th October 2024. The conference, held in the college's seminar hall from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, was well-attended by students, research scholars, and faculty members from various institutions. The event commenced with a registration session, followed by an inauguration featuring a welcome address by Dr. P. Faseela, the conference convenor, and Assistant Professor of Botany. Prof. Muhammed Basheer Ummathur, Principal of KAHM Unity Women’s College, delivered the presidential address and officially inaugurated the conference. Felicitations were extended by Dr. A. Usman, HOD, Department of Botany, Dr. A.K. Shahina Mol, IQAC coordinator and Mr. Adam Thanari, who represented the college’s NTS.

The conference highlighted the contributions of two eminent speakers. Dr. Jason C. White, Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), USA, delivered the Erudite Lecture titled "Nano-enabled Agriculture: A Path to Global Food Security in a Changing Climate." In his presentation, Dr. White discussed the potential of nanotechnology in agriculture, particularly for pesticide management and food security, and emphasized the significance of nanotoxology in sustainable agriculture. His talk brought international insights into current agricultural practices, setting a promising tone for future research avenues. The Erudite lecture concluded with a vote of thanks by M. Hasna , a fifth-semester BSc Botany student.

Following a tea break, Dr. Akhila Sen, Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany at Mar Athanasius College, Kerala, presented on "Seed Priming for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants." Dr. Sen elucidated the practical applications of various seed priming techniques in improving plant tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. Her presentation offered valuable strategies for enhancing plant resilience, which sparked further discussion among attendees on tackling environmental challenges in agriculture. The invited lecture concluded with a vote of thanks by Hanan, a first-semester MSc Botany student.

The afternoon sessions featured oral presentations by students, research scholars, and faculty members, which took place in the seminar hall under the guidance of Dr. Akhila Sen and Dr. Syed Hamid Thangal, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, KAHM Unity Womem's College, Manjeri. The 15 presentations covered topics including Phytochemical Analysis, Climate Change and Crop Productivity, and Plant Ecophysiology, with researchers presenting new findings and innovative approaches. Simultaneously, a poster presentation session took place in the college auditorium, where 19 presenters shared their research work under similar themes. Dr. Akhila Sen and Dr. Shamsheera K.O. evaluated the poster presentations, fostering a spirit of academic inquiry among the participants.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session and an awards ceremony, presided over by Principal Prof. Muhammed Basheer Ummathur. Recognition was given to the best presentations, showcasing the depth of research talent present at the conference. In the oral presentation category, Nushiba Naser PT from Calicut University received the award for her research on phytochemical analysis, while Sneha U from SNGS College, Pattambi, and Dr. Sudheeshna PK, also from SNGS College, were awarded for their work on climate change, crop productivity, and plant ecophysiology, respectively. In the poster presentations, Mufeeda KV, Anshida P, and Thashnifa PK from KAHM Unity Women’s College were recognized for their outstanding research contributions.

Overall, APS 2024 served as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among botanists, researchers, and students. The successful organization of the conference, insightful presentations, and active participation from attendees reflect the commitment of KAHM Unity Women’s College to advancing scientific knowledge and research in the field of plant science.