ILS marks 35 years of excellence on foundation day

Bhubaneswar: The Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, celebrated its foundation day on Sunday, commemorating 35 years of unwavering dedication to research, education and innovation in the realm of life sciences.

The director of ILS Bhubaneswar, Dr Debashis Dash, extended his gratitude to all stakeholders who have contributed to the institute’s remarkable journey. Dr Dash emphasised the institute’s strides in advancing scientific knowledge, fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary research initiatives.

The foundation day festivities kicked off with a ceremonial event attended by distinguished dignitaries, faculty members, researchers, and students of ILS Bhubaneswar. The event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, scientific presentations and cultural performances, showcasing the diverse talents and achievements of the institute’s community.

Honouring the occasion, the chief guest, Dr Anand Deshpandey, founder, chairman, and managing director of Persistent Systems, expressed his pleasure at the large participation of both current and former students in the celebration. He commended Dr Dash for orchestrating the event and wished success to all students, staff and faculty members.

Established in 1989, ILS Bhubaneswar has evolved into a premier institute dedicated to cutting-edge research in various life sciences domains, such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, immunology, cancer biology, infectious diseases, and stem cell biology. The institute has made significant contributions to scientific knowledge and played a vital role in nurturing young talents and fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Guest of honour Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, and former DG ICAR, lauded Dr Dash’s efforts in organising the successful foundation day. Dr Aditya P Das, vice-chancellor, AIPH University Bhubaneswar, was also present on the occasion.

The foundation day celebrations served as a platform to acknowledge and honour the contributions of past and present faculty members, researchers, staff and students towards the growth and development of ILS Bhubaneswar. Awards and recognitions were bestowed upon individuals for their outstanding contributions to research, teaching, administration, and community engagement. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and a cultural programme in the evening.