Amity University, in collaboration with Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), organized the “Voice for BT”, an Inter-Collegiate Public Speaking Competition and currently India’s only public-speaking contest on Biotechnology for First Year Post Graduate and Final Year Undergraduate students of Biotechnology, at the Noida Campus.
Eighteen universities across North India participated in the event and showed intensive public speaking skills with innovative ideas related to Biotechnology. In this Competition, the participants had to speak one of the three topics provided by ABLE which included “Biomass” is a menace, convert this “Waste to Wealth” to protect the environment, “Smart Protein”- a sustainable alternative for “Good Health” and “Biotechnology” is critical to address unexpected challenges similar to the “Covid Pandemic”.
The First Prize was bagged by Ms. Devanshika Jha from Gautam Buddha University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The first runner up was Ms. Yashi, from School of Biotechnology, SKUAST- Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. The second runner up was Ms. Akriti Bagchi from Amity University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. All three winners were awarded with cash prize, medallion, certificate and a 6-month internship opportunity at one of the leading biotechnology companies in India.
Mr. Narayan Suresh, COO, ABLE addressed the audience and interjected with them about the applications of biotechnology in day-to-day times. He mentioned about the potential help that biotechnology offered the global society during the Covid-19 pandemic and how we can tackle the future threats of such calamities.
The event was also graced by Hon. Vice Chancellor of Amity University, Prof. Dr. Balvinder Shukla, who reiterated it to the students that Biotechnology is the field that shall have the utmost importance in the future times in regard to human health, medicine and environment related biological processes
Mr. G.S Krishnan, President, ABLE who was also present on this occasion said that the event was initiated a decade back and how it has evolved over the years with the able help of knowledge partners like Amity University and the enthusiasm of the youth to promote the use of Biotechnology across India. Mr. Prigyansghu Dutta, Head of Public Affairs and Relations- India, Novozymes, elaborated on the importance of public speaking in one’s early years and how it helps for the overall development of an individual. Dr. Balasubramanya S, General Manager, ABLE spoke deliberated on the future of biotechnology related industry in India.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Pooja Vijayaraghavan, Head CRC-AIB, who expressed gratitude to ABLE for their showing their trust in Amity University and conducting the north zone finals of this event at the University for fifth year in a row.