RONO HILLS, SEP 28:
The Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), organised a one-day social outreach and sensitisation programme, “Popularisation of Life Science”, on September 27 to familiarise school students with university-level science and research.
Eighty-five students of Classes VII to X from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Nirjuli; Kendriya Vidyalaya, NERIST Campus; Senior Secondary School, RGU Campus; and Alphabet Public School, Amba, Doimukh, participated in the programme.
RGU Vice Chancellor Prof Shivraj attended the programme and commended the Department of Zoology for the initiative. He stressed the need for more such outreach programmes to provide school students with wider exposure to higher education and science, and suggested expanding future editions to include more schools and students.
Head of the Department of Zoology and programme chairman Prof D. N. Das spoke on the relevance of zoology and the importance of understanding the living world. Organising Secretary and Convenor Dr Arnab Ghosh said social outreach and early exposure to higher education and research were important components of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said such initiatives could encourage scientific curiosity among young students.
The programme featured poster-making and model-making competitions on the theme “Science in Everyday Life” for two groups—Classes VII–VIII and IX–X. Students displayed 52 posters and 15 models, linking scientific concepts with health, food, environment and everyday life.
A quiz competition on life science and general science followed, with students participating enthusiastically. The competitions were judged by external experts from allied departments of the university.
The students also visited the Zoology Department’s laboratories and museum collections, where they observed preserved fish specimens from Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, besides collections of butterflies, other insects and bird diversity of the region.
Research scholars of the department guided the students during the laboratory and museum visits and explained the specimens and ongoing research. The interaction provided students with first-hand exposure to how concepts learnt in classrooms are applied in scientific research.
Prof Shivraj distributed certificates and medals to the winners and congratulated all participants. The organisers said the programme aimed to strengthen links between RGU and schools in the region and encourage greater interest in life sciences and scientific research.
The Department of Zoology thanked the participating schools, teachers, students, external judges and research scholars for their support in conducting the programme.
