EVENT TITLE: “Bioconsortium club office Bearer Introduction and Seminar”

DATE: 10th September 2025

DURATION: 01 day

VENUE: Gallery Hall, 4th floor, Block–V.

EVENT ORGINIZING HEAD: Dr. M. Kamaraj

EVENT CONVENORS: Dr.Suresh.S

NO OF PARTICIPANT: 150

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT:

The Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Ramapuram, successfully organized the “Bioconsortium Club Office Bearer Introduction and Seminar 2025” on 10th September 2025. The event featured the formal introduction of the Bioconsortium Club Office Bearers – President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer – of this academic and technical club, followed by a seminar titled “Extraction of Bio-Oil from Algal Biomass for Food Applications and Biodiesel Production.” The objective of the program was to provide a platform for students to develop and showcase their leadership skills while gaining exposure to advancements and research in the field of biological sciences.

The inaugural session began with a Welcome Address by Dr. M. Kamaraj, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Biotechnology, who warmly welcomed all dignitaries and participants, and emphasized the department’s dedication to academic and research excellence. This was followed by an Overview of the Event presented by Dr. Suresh S., Club Coordinator & Assistant Professor, who highlighted the vision and significance of the Bioconsortium Club.

The Presidential Address was delivered by Dr. S. Thirumagan, Dean (S&H), SRMIST, Ramapuram. He congratulated the newly appointed office bearers and encouraged the students to translate qualitative research into quantitative outcomes through impactful publications in collaboration with faculty members. He also appreciated the department for organizing such meaningful initiatives.

The Resource Person, Prof. Dr. S. Renganathan, Anna University, Chennai, delivered an insightful seminar on “Extraction of Bio-Oil from Algal Biomass for Food Applications and Biodiesel Production.” He elaborated on esterification and transesterification reactions, the potential of algal sources, and their applications in food sciences, particularly fatty acids and nutritional benefits. He further explained the criteria for biodiesel production as per ASTM standards and discussed quality confirmation techniques for biodiesel.

The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Amala A., Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, who expressed her gratitude to the management, faculty members, and enthusiastic students for their wholehearted support in making the event a success.

OUTCOMES OF THE PROGRAM:

The Bioconsortium Club Office Bearer Introduction and Seminar 2025 created a strong platform for both academic and personal growth of the students. The outcomes of the event are as follows:

  • The introduction of office bearers formally empowered students to take on leadership roles and encouraged them to organize academic and technical activities throughout the year.
  • The seminar by Prof. Dr. S. Renganathan provided students with valuable insights into sustainable energy research, particularly bio-oil extraction from algal biomass, its food-related applications, and its role in biodiesel production. Students gained awareness of advanced techniques such as esterification, transesterification, and biodiesel quality evaluation in line with ASTM standards. The talk motivated students to explore interdisciplinary applications of biotechnology, focusing on renewable energy and nutritional sciences.
  • The program fostered interaction between students, faculty members, and the resource person, enhancing the academic environment of the department. Overall, the event successfully met its objectives by empowering student leadership, strengthening research orientation, and motivating the student community to pursue innovative research in biological sciences.