Happenings

The Department of Biotechnology organised its 3rd International Conference on 30–31 October 2026, focusing on the theme “AI-Enabled Biotechnology: Innovations in Agriculture, Healthcare, Forensic Science and Industrial Sustainability.” The two-day conference brought together experts, researchers, faculty members and students to discuss emerging developments in biotechnology and the growing role of artificial intelligence across scientific disciplines.

The main conference was preceded by pre-conference activities on 27 October, featuring intra-university competitions such as debates, oral presentations, quizzes and other academic events. These activities encouraged students to engage with the conference theme and showcase their subject knowledge and presentation skills.

Inaugural Session and Expert Addresses

The conference commenced on 30 October with an inaugural ceremony attended by Chief Guest Prof. Rajarshi Kumar Gaur, Deputy Director General, Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research, Lucknow, and Guest of Honour Dr. Amit Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR–IVRI, Bareilly.

The keynote speakers included Mr. Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, Vice-President, Brindavan Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Bareilly, and Mr. Kaushik Mandal, Manager, Quality Assurance and Environment, Brindavan Beverages Pvt. Ltd., Bareilly. The session was also attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Y. D. S. Arya, Dean of Sciences Prof. P. P. Singh and Head of the Department of Biotechnology Dr. Dinesh Kumar.

The first day featured expert lectures addressing developments in biotechnology and its interdisciplinary applications. The discussions provided participants with perspectives on the potential of scientific innovation and AI-driven approaches in addressing challenges across different sectors.

Focus on AI in Forensic Science and Emerging Research

The second day featured a keynote address by Dr. Kaushal Sharma from the Forensic Science Laboratory on “AI-Assisted Forensic Science.” The session explored the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in modern forensic practices and its potential applications in scientific investigation.

Dr. Anshuman Mishra from IAAM, Sweden, also delivered an online expert lecture, sharing insights into emerging scientific developments and interdisciplinary applications connected with the conference theme.

Alongside the expert sessions, various competitions and student activities encouraged academic participation and interaction. The conference concluded with a valedictory ceremony on 31 October, marking the completion of the two-day academic event.

The conference was organised under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Y. D. S. Arya and Dean of Sciences Prof. P. P. Singh. Dr. Dinesh Kumar, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, provided departmental leadership, with Dr. Gaurav Dhawan as Convenor, Dr. Lalita Dwivedi as Co-Convenor and Ms. Sejal Rajpoot as Organising Secretary.

The event provided an academic platform for discussing the convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, highlighting its relevance to agriculture, healthcare, forensic science and industrial sustainability.