Rs 10-lakh UGC grant for SP College

“Studies in plant tissue culture is a foundation to many subjects in the biotechnology stream. The courses in plant tissue culture will prove helpful to students pursuing undergraduate courses in biology as there are lot of career opportunities in this field,” said D N Sheth,principal of S P College.

He said the college had submitted a proposal to the UGC last year requesting a grant to start career-oriented courses in plant tissue culture.

“The UGC in April 2010 granted Rs 10 lakh and also provided the money,” said Sheth.

According to Anil Dusane,coordinator of the course and associate professor in the department of biology,the money can be used to develop the infrastructure and upgrade facilities in the laboratories.

“There is a growing demand for experts in plant tissue culture in research institutes,private companies developing seed technologies and even in nurseries. The nurseries that export plants or flowers need experts in plant tissue culture,” said Dusane.

“There will be growing demand for expert manpower in the subject. We plan to start certificate and diploma courses from this academic year in the college,” he said.

Dusane said the courses would be run part time on Saturdays and Sundays. “We have planned an intake of 25 students each for the certificate and diploma courses,” he added.

“The college is also talking to some of the industries for tie-ups. It will provide an opportunity to students for hands- on training and the scope for internships in some companies,” said Dusane.