Solan, July 2
A five-day long Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspire Research (INSPIRE) camp, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, got off to a start on Tuesday.
Organised by the Faculty of Sciences Shoolini University, the camp aims to inspire and nurture scientific curiosity among students in grades 11 and 12. INSPIRE is a flagship scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), designed to attract young talent towards science. The primary objective is to ignite a passion for scientific research among India’s youth by providing opportunities to engage with eminent scientists and experience the thrill of scientific discovery. The scheme targets students among the top one percent in their Class X Board Examinations and encourages them to pursue science in Class XI and beyond.
During the inaugural address, Prof. Sunil Puri, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, encouraged students to strive for excellence, stating, “You are the future of the nation. Ask questions and gain as much knowledge as possible.” He further stated that the camp at Shoolini University would prove to be a transformative experience for the participating students, sparking their interest in science and paving the way for future scientific endeavors.
Prof. Amrik Singh Ahluwalia, Pro Vice Chancellor, Eternal University, Baru Sahib was the camp’s Chief Guest, and he emphasised the importance of this opportunity, adding, “This is a rare opportunity not available to everyone. You excelled at school and now have the opportunity to advance in innovation. “Small things in life always provide opportunities for innovation,” he added .
Prof. Ahluwalia also thanked the organisers and highlighted the value of productivity in innovation and science. He further stated, “We must be more prolific in innovation and science. We are moving up the innovation graph, and this camp is a step in the right way.”
Chancellor Prof. PK Khosla inspired students by saying, “Work hard to achieve greatness, and one day, you may become a Nobel laureate. Create your own career path, and do something different in life that brings both money and fame.”
Prof. Rachna Verma, Head of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, thanked the guests for their participation in the camp. She acknowledged the inspiration from Prof. PK Khosla and expressed gratitude towards DST for their sponsorship. She also appreciated the outreach team for bringing students to the campus. The introductory session was conducted by Assistant Prof Ruhi Thakur.
Shoolini University has successfully conducted 36 camps so far, involving approximately 7,980 students. The 37th INSPIRE Science Camp was limited to 200 students, selected for their exceptional academic performance and interest in science.
These camps provided a unique platform for students to interact with renowned scientists and professors from institutions such as IIT Delhi, JNU, Delhi University, Panjab University Chandigarh, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, IIT Roorkee, and many more.
The primary goal of the INSPIRE Science Camp was to expose students to the excitement and challenges of scientific research. By engaging with top scientists and experiencing hands-on activities, students were encouraged to think creatively and consider a future.
