The contributions made by Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) in various branches of science came for praise from immunology experts on Friday.
Showering encomiums on the university and its distinguished science faculty, the president of Indian Immunology Society (IIS), Pawan Sharma, described MKU as a “trailblazer” in the area of science, especially in molecular biology and immunology. The contributions of MKU’s popular science faces — former Vice-Chancellor S. Krishnaswamy, Rm. Pitchappan and K. Dharmalingam — were recalled.
“We value this university very much and it has always been a significant contributor in biological sciences,” he said, while inaugurating the 41s annual conference of Indian Immunology Society, hosted by the Department of Immunology, School of Biological Sciences .
Stating that immunology pervaded all fields, from therapy to diagnostics, Dr. Sharma said that it would be in great demand in future and it was a field wide open for young researchers.
D. N. Rao, secretary of IIS, said that a series of national conferences would be organised in the next two years. The society’s website www.indianimmunology.org has information about the advancements in immunology. “Our society has 1,400 life members and it is affiliated to the International Society for Immunology,” Dr. Rao added.
The Vice-Chancellor, Kalyani Mathivanan, said that delegates from 17 States were attending the three-day conference. Immunology, she said, was vital for the country due to prevalence of infectious diseases. “Arts and science courses are two sides of education. Along with science, our university is giving thrust to arts and humanities too,” she stressed.
B. K. Tyagi, Director in-charge, Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, K. Balakrishnan, organising secretary, and Sripathi Kandula, organising chairman, were among those who spoke at the inaugural function. S. B. Anand, joint organising secretary, proposed a vote of thanks.
