Newsletter 2018-19 DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode 9 ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ Reaccredited by NAAC with A+ Grade

HIGHLIGHTS SOCIETY

♦Clean Water Drive: Water analysis for the flood affected ♦Flood relief & rehabilitation

♦Training in mushroom cultivation for women in the flood affected areas

♦Visit to old age Homes ♦Celebrating Festivals with Lesser privileged

♦School Adoption Programme ♦Pain and Palliative Care Activities ♦Blood Donation

SCIENCE ♦Seminar on ‘When ozone is gone’

♦ Interactive sessions with eminent scientists ♦ Interactive sessions with research scholars

♦Hands on training in’ Molecular Biology’ ♦Invited lectures on ‘Molecular Biology of gene’

♦ Students’ Research Projects (12 PG + 7 UG) ♦Research Guidance for PhD

♦Research articles

STUDENTS ♦Academic linking with other institutions ♦Meeting the Founder Faculty members

♦Placement for projects in reputed Institutes ♦Off campus & Invited Lectures

♦Visit to Research Stations ♦Skill training programmes

♦Computadora ♦Certificate Course ♦Field Visits/ Study Tours

♦Attending Seminars/Workshops ♦Film Shows & Exhibitions ♦Competitions

NATURE ♦Planting Saplings ♦Gift a Sapling on birthday

♦Santhisthal: for Biodiversity Conservation ♦Updating Campus Biodiversity Register

♦Plastic Eradication Drive ♦Celebrating Relevant Days ♦World Environment Day ♦Ozone Day ♦World Wetland

Day ♦World Water Day ♦World Forest Day ♦ international bamboo day

INSPIRE & EQUIP

ACADEMIC

1. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ▲Pass percentage : UG – 82%

PG – 92%

2 STUDENTS’ PROGRESSION ▲ 10 % PG students pursuing PhD

▲40% UG students pursuing PG Courses

3. STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENTS ▲Megha Das (M.Sc. 2018 batch secured

AIR 32 in GAE exam 2019

4. INVITED TALKS: ▲Talk on „Biology of the cell‟ by PK Gupta

(INSA Scientist)

▲Talk on „Molecular Biology of gene by Dr.

Abis V Cherussery for PG students.

5. ITERACIVE SESSIONS:

▲Interactive session with Mr.Vince Vinan,

research scholar, University of Kent on 9th

July

2018.

6. SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS ▲Seminar on „When Ozone is gone‟ in

connection with international ozone day

2018 on 18h September 2018.

7. OFFCAMPUS LECTURES/

DEMONSTRATIONS

▲ Lecture on „Herbarium Techniques & Type

Herbarium‟ by Dr. Palanisamy, Scientist,

Botanical Survey of India, on 4 February 2019.

▲ Demonstration on „Histochemical

Techniques‟ by Mrs. Sruthi, Physiology and

Biochemistry Division, Department of Botany,

University of Calicut.

▲ Demonstration on „Advanced instruments

used in physiological studies‟ by Ms. Sinisha,

Physiology and Biochemistry Division,

Department of Botany, University of Calicut.

MEGHA DAS M.Sc. 2018

AIR 32 in GATE exam 2019

EXTRACURRICULAR /

COCURRICULAR

8. CERTIFICATE COURSE ▲’Herbal First Aid and Healthcare‟ in

collaboration with MBGIPS Kozhikode

9. COMPETITIONS

▲Essay writing (Topic –Connecting people to

nature, Theme of the World Environment Day

2018) (on 12th

June 2018)

▲Poster making competition in connection

with Ozone Day 2018.

10. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

▲Maintenance of „Santhisthal‟ (Repository of

Endemic Fruit Tree Species in 10 cents of land

outside the campus, with financial support

from Kerala State Biodiversity Board).

▲Awareness classes on Biodiversity

Conservation.

▲Displays like Plant of the week, Info Desk

▲Campus biodiversity register

11. SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ▲Conduced training programme in

„Mushroom Cultivation‟ in collaboration with

mushroom growers association Kozhikode

▲Computadora

▲Grooming the self

▲Paper pen making

12. FILM SHOWS

▲ Kaippad- Blackish Water Rice Prawn

Cultivation Ecosystem by Babu Kambrath.

13. OBSERVING RELEVANT DAYS ▲ World Environment Day 5 June

▲World Mangrove Day 26 July

▲International Ozone Day 16 Sept

▲World Bamboo Day 18 Sept

▲Green Consumer Day 28 Sept

Skill training programmes

▲International Day of Climate Action Oct 24

▲National Pollution Prevention Day2 Dec ▲World Soil Day 5 Dec

▲World Wetland Day 2 Feb

14. OTHER ACTIVITIES ▲Plant of the week (Theme of 2018-19:

Star Plants

▲Infodesk

▲Manuscript magazine „Blossom‟

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

15. RESOURCE PERSONS INVITED

▲ Prof. PK Gupta, INSA Scientist

▲Dr. Abis V Cherussery

▲Mr. Vince Vinan

▲Dr. D Prasanth

▲Hamid Ali Vazhakkad

▲Mr. John CA

▲Mr. Balakrishnan

16. RESEARCH ARTICLES PUBLISHED

▲ Minoo Divakaran 1. Biotechnological tools for in vitro

multiplication, conservation and genetic fidelity

analysis of an important vulnerable medicinal

plant Celastrus paniculatus Willd. p.24

Abst.3rd International Congress & Expo on

Biotechnology and Bioengineering, June 25-26,

2018, KL, Malaysia

2. Biotechnological approaches for combating

climate change and solving crop-specific

problems in Vanilla.p.23.ibid

3. In vitro conservation and propagation of the

endemic species of “floating hearts”

(Nymphoides krishnakesara Joseph and Sivar. -

Menyanthaceae) as a conservation strategy. Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology

17. PAPERS PRESENTATIONS

▲Dr. Minoo Divakaran presented a paper

entitled „Biotechnological approaches for

combating climate change and solving crop

specific problems in vanilla‟ In 3rd

International Congress on Biotechnology and

Bioprocessing, ICEBB 2018, 25-26 June , KL,

Malaysia. p.23

▲Dr. Minoo Divakaran presented a paper

entitled „Biotechnological tools for in vitro

multiplication conservation and genetic fidelity

analysis of an important vulnerable medicinal

plant Celastrus paniculatus Willd‟. 3rd

International Congress on Biotechnology and

Bioprocessing, ICEBB 2018, 25-26 June , KL,

Malaysia. p.24.

▲Dr. Minoo Divakaran delivered a Plenary

Lecture on „In vitro approaches for overcoming

bottlenecks in vanilla breeding‟ delivered at the

IIIrd International Congress on Vanilla,

University of Veracruz, Mexico, 5-8 March

2019

▲Dr. Deena Meria Jose presented a paper

entitled „Allelopathic and antibacterial

properties of a few invasive and climbing

weeds of Florical Hill, Kozhikode‟, in the

MESMAC International Conference organized

by MES Mampad College on 15h to 17January

2019.

▲Ms. Nimly P presented a paper entitled

„Effect of insecticide Malathion on Nostoc

humifiscum Carm,ex Born et Flah., a rice field

Cyanobacterium‟, International Conference on

Biotechnological Research and Innovation for

Sustainable Development (BioSD) 22−25

November 2018, organized by CSIR IICT, held

a Hyderabad.

▲Dr. Janeesha AP presented a paper entitled

„Phylogeny and divergence time of Jerdonia

Wight (Gesneriaceae), an endemic genus of

Western Ghats inferred from ITS sequence

data‟, National seminar on „Plant sciences:

Current challenges & perspectives‟ organized

by Department of Botany, University of Calicut

on 28 February to 2 March 2019.

18. FACULTY AS MEMBERS IN

ACADEMIC & RESEARCH BODIES

▲UG Board of Studies (Botany) University

of Calicut (Dr. Deena Meria Jose,

Chairman; Dr. Minoo Divakaran, member)

▲PG & UG Board of Studies (Botany) St.

Joseph‟s College Devagiri (Autonomous),

Kozhikode (Dr. Deena Meria Jose,

member)

▲Member of Purchase Committee at

MBGIPS Kozhikode (Dr. Minoo

Divakaran)

▲Member of interview board for selection

of project staff at MBGIPS Kozhikode (Dr.

Minoo Divakaran)

19. STUDENTS’ACHIEVEMENTS

Qualifying National Eligibility Tests ▲Megha Das (PG) qualified UGC NET

▲Megha Das (PG) qualified GATE with

AIR 32

20. SEMINARS ATTENDED

▲ Deena Meria Jose

▲State level training workshop for FICs of

Bhoomithrasena, organized by Directorate of

Environment and Climate change, Govt of

Kerala, on 26 July 2018.

▲National Seminar on „Environment and

Food safety: Impact of human interventions

organized by Gov. Arts & Science College

Kozhikode, sponsored by Directorate of

Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala on 26 − 27

September 2018.

▲International seminar „MESMAC -Man

Machine Milieu‟ organized by MES Mampad

College on 15h to 17January 2019.

▲There day Training on „Plant DNA

Barcoding‟ organized by interuniversity

Centre for Plant biotechnology, Department of

Botany, University of Calicut on 17 to19

January 2019.

▲Short term course on „Evaluation in Higher

Education‟ organized by MHRD teaching

Learning Centre, University of Calicut on 23

Feb to 1 March 2019.

Minoo Divakaran

▲3rd International Congress and Expo on

Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2018, June

25-26, Malaysia

▲Entrepreneurship workshop, ICT Academy

of Kerala, Aug 2018

▲Kerala startup mission IEDC business

planning workshop 20 July 2018 UL cyber

park Kozhikode

▲National Seminar on „Environment and

Food safety: Impact of human interventions

organized by Gov. Arts & Science College

Kozhikode, sponsored by Directorate of

Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala on 26 − 27

September 2018.

▲Two day Faculty development programme

organized by Providence Women‟s College in association

with ICT academy Kerala on 4 & 5 January 2019.

▲IIIrd International Congress on Vanilla organized by

University of Veracruz, Mar 5-8, Mexico 2019

Sr. Pilty Peter

▲Seminar in higher education for apostolic Carmel

congregation ACC organized by CEDBEC, Christ deemed university, Bangalore on 24-31 Oct 2018.

▲Two day workshop cum seminar on „Enhancing

effective teaching learning strategies in the digital era‟

organized by Providence Women‟s College on 15 & 18

September 2018.

Ms. Binilsha P

▲Two day workshop cum seminar on „Enhancing

effective teaching learning strategies in the digital era‟

organized by PWC on 15 & 18 September 2018.

Ms.Nimly

▲International Conference on Biotechnological Research

and Innovation for Sustainable Development (BioSD)

22−25 November 2018, organized by CSIR IICT, held a

Hyderabad.

▲Two day workshop cum seminar on enhancing

effective teaching learning strategies in the digital era

organized by PWC on 15 & 18 September 2018.

Dr. Janeesha AP

▲National seminar on „Plant sciences: Current

challenges & perspectives‟ organized by Dept. of Botany,

University of Calicut on 28 Feb 2 Mar 2019.

Students ▲Foundation skills in entrepreneurship for students

organized by PWC. (August 13 & 14, 2018).

▲Design thinking workshop for students December 3 &

2018.

▲Ms. Sugamya P attended the MESMAC international

conference organized by MES Mampad college on 15h to

17January 2019.

▲I Sem PG students attended the frontier lecture

„Getting ready to feed 9 million through agricultural

innovations on 12 Dec 2018

▲3 Sem PG students attended the frontier lecture „Plant

sensory perception and adaptions on 18 January 2019.

▲4 Sem UG students attended the seminar „Wetlands

and climate change‟ organized by CWRDM in connection

with world wetland day, on 6 February 2019.

21. COLLABORATIONS & MoUs ▲ ▲Directorate of Environment and Climate

Change Govt. of Kerala

▲Kerala State Biodiversity Board

▲Malabar Botanical Garden &Institute for

Plant Sciences

▲OISCA International, Kozhikode Chapter.

▲CWRDM (associated for biodiversity loss

assessment in view of the proposed water park

project)

MoUs ▲Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR),

Kozhikode

▲Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for

Plant Sciences (MBGIPS), Kozhikode

22. RESEARCH GUIDANCE ▲3 Students pursuing PhD under the guideship

of Dr. Minoo Divakaran

23. PLACEMENT FOR M.Sc PROJECTS ▲ Coffee Board Regional Station Wayanad

▲ Kerala Agriculture University, Mannuthy

▲Centre for Medicinal Plant Research, Kottakal

▲College of Agriculture, Kasaragod

▲Pepper Research Station, Panniyur

▲Corevalley Herbal Technologies, Kozhikode

EXTENSION

24. FOR PROTECTION OF NATURE ▲CWRDM Kannadikkal

▲planting on World Environment Day

▲Distribution of saplings

25. FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD PEOPLE ▲Water quality analyses for the people in the flood

affected areas, in the Jalasree Harithasala Lab

established in the department with support from

Water Resources Department, Govt. of Kerala.

▲Water Literacy Programmes (awareness

campaigns) – distribution of pamphlets describing

measures to be taken for well recharging, rain water

harvesting etc.

26. CARE FOR THE AGED

▲Students visited Mercy Home – Old age home for

men, Vellimadukunnu and celebrated festivals with

the inmates.

27. OTHER EXTENSION ACTICVITIES ▲A few students of 2

nd year were involved in pain

and palliative care activities.

▲A few students participated in the exhibition and

sale of products made by the cancer patients

Extension programmes

AERITH - BIODIVERSITY CLUB Reg. No. KSBB/BC/07, BDC Code: KSBB/BDC/11001

(Supported by Kerala State Biodiversity Board)

VISION

▲ To conserve and enhance local

biodiversity

MISSION / OBJECTIVES

▲ To assess the local biodiversity

▲ To conduct awareness programmes on

environment and biodiversity

conservation.

‘SANTHISTHAL ▲Santhisthal, a collection of traditional

fruit trees was established in 10 cents of

land outside the campus in the year 2013,

with financial support from Kerala State

Biodiversity Board. The activities like

Bio-fencing, periodic cleaning, watering,

weeding, replanting etc. were done

regularly.

ATTENDING SEMINARS ▲Members of the club attended seminars

on Biodiversity Conservation.

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES ▲Seminar on underutilized leafy

vegetables for spreading awareness about

agro-biodiversity and conservation of

landraces and farmers‟ varieties

FIELD STUDIES ▲Members of the club conducted field

studies to study biodiversity of

mushrooms in Malaparamba

COMPETITIONS ▲Displays like Plant of the week, info

desk etc. by B.Sc students on a

competition basis.

BIODIVERSITY REGISTER ▲ Campus Biodiversity Register was

maintained and updated.

BHOOMITHRASENA CLUB BMC Code: (BMC-055/KKD/05/09)

(Supported by Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Govt. of Kerala)

VISION

▲To have environmental concern in

education by undertaking awareness

and action programmes for

environmental protection

MISSION / OBJECTIVES ▲To encourage college students

appreciate environment and environmental

issues of the locality

▲To provide environmental education

opportunities for college students and

involve them in addressing environmental

issues of the locality

▲To utilize the enormous manpower

available with college students as conduits

for awareness of the society

▲To make students practice & advocate

sustainable life styles

WORLD OZONE DAY ▲World Ozone Day was observed on

September 18th

. A seminar „When ozone is

one‟ was organized

COMPETITIONS ▲Essay writing competition on the topic

„Connecting people to nature‟, Theme

of the World Environment Day 2018

on 5th

June 2018

▲Poster making competition (Connecting

people to nature, on 12th

June 2018

▲Painting competition on the topic

„Ozone Depletion on world Ozone Day

16th

Sept 2018.

NATURE CAMP ▲.a naure camp a Kadalundi Vallikunnu

Communiy reserve was organized on 26

sep 2016 in collaboration wih Kerala Fores

deoarmen.

JALASREE CLUB (Supported by CCDU, Water Resources Department, Govt. of Kerala)

VISION ▲ To ensure safe potable water for all

MISSION / OBJECTIVES ▲To proclaim the college as „Water

Sanitation and Information Centre‟ under

CCDU

▲To generate a sensitive and responsible

attitude towards water among people

through constant professional endeavors

with diverse intervention strategies, which

demands different devices, advanced

technologies, improved designs and skills.

▲To build a behavioral change among

society which results in the reduction of

loss of water, control and prevent

contamination and enhance water quantity,

enrich water quality and assure water

prosperity in a sustainable manner

WATER LITERACY PROGRAMMES ▲Pamphlets describing water

conservation, Keeping wells clean, Well

recharging, Rain water harvesting,

Restoration of water bodies, Monsoon

diseases etc. were distributed to the

neighborhood people.

▲The members visited CWRDM

laboratories as part of Water Literacy

Programme.

WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS

FOR FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS ▲Water quality of 96 water samples

collected from the flood affected areas of

Kannadikkal, Thannerpandal, Vengeri etc.

was analyzed and water cards were

distributed.

The analyses were done by Jalasree club

members in the Jalasree Harithasala

Laboratory established with support from

the Water Resources Dept., Govt. of

Kerala. Remedial measures were advised.

NATURE CLUB

VISION ▲ Protection of Our Environment

MISSION / OBJECTIVES ▲ To inculcate a deep love and understanding

for our natural environment in today‟s young

women

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ▲World Environment Day 2018 was celebrated

on 12th

June. A few saplings were planted on the

occasion. Essay writing and poster making

competitions were conducted for students of the

theme of World Environment Day 2018.

STAR PLANTS GARDEN ▲A „Star Plants‟ garden was established and

mainained, in collaboration with NGO „Prithvi‟

a sapling as birthday gift to students

PROMOTION OF NATURAL FOOD ▲Natural and healthy food items were prepared

and distributed as part of the food fest in

connection with fine arts day 2018.

ALUMNAE

ASSOCIATION

‘PROVIFLORA’

ACHIEVEMENTS ▲Jeeja Jayakrishnan (2010 UG Batch) (Kerala

University) was awarded PhD in Botany.

▲Theertha AP (2015 PG Batch), Sruthi Bharathan

(2014 UG Batch),

Jaseela VP (2007 UG Batch) & Aparna Prasad (2012

UG Batch) cleared CSIR JRF

▲Anjusha S (2009 UG Batch) pursuing PDF (Kerala

University)

▲7 members pursuing PhD : Saranya Babu (2007)),

Anjitha Thomas, Sruthi P , 2016 PG Batch), Athulya

Sadanand, Bhagyasree Raveendran (2012), Vinjusha

K (2012), Arathymol A (2013).

Published by Compiled by

Department of Botany Dr. Deena Meria Jose Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode 9, Kerala