Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!š Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: A two-week online Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences (Inter-disciplinary), organised by the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), University of Jammu, from October 12 to 24, 2026, concluded successfully today.
The programme witnessed the participation of 110 faculty members from 20 States and Union Territories across India, reflecting its national outreach and academic significance. The participants represented a diverse range of higher educational institutions, including colleges, Central and State Universities, and premier institutions such as IITs.
Presenting the course report during the valedictory session, Prof. Deepika Slathia, Head, Department of Environmental Sciences, and Course Coordinator, informed that the programme comprised 48 academic sessions conducted over 12 days, with four sessions each day. A total of 36 eminent resource persons from leading national and international universities, research institutions and professional organisations shared their expertise during the course.
These included Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; University of Delhi; Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University; IIT Delhi; Amity University; University of Kerala; G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology; National Institute of Hydrology; G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment; Patna University; Institute for Social and Economic Change; University of Kashmir; WWF-India; CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI); ICIMOD-Nepal; the Government of New Zealand; SKUAST-Jammu; Central University of Jammu; Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University; and the University of Jammu.
The programme covered a wide range of contemporary and emerging themes in environmental sciences, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, wetland and river restoration, Himalayan ecology, sustainable development, environmental governance, pollution control, nature-based solutions and ecosystem conservation. Participants were also introduced to advanced research methodologies and modern analytical tools, including environmental statistics, data analytics, GIS and geospatial techniques, artificial intelligence, predictive modelling and contemporary approaches to environmental data interpretation. These sessions aimed to strengthen their teaching and research capabilities in interdisciplinary environmental sciences.
During the feedback session, participants appreciated the academic rigour, relevance and smooth conduct of the programme. Addressing the gathering, Prof. S.K. Pandita highlighted the activities of MMTTC and underscored the importance of capacity-building programmes in enhancing professional competencies and promoting academic excellence.
Dr. Ranjeet Kalra, Deputy Director, MMTTC, congratulated the participants on successfully completing the course and encouraged them to incorporate the knowledge and insights gained into their teaching and research activities, enabling students to remain abreast of the latest developments in environmental sciences. Among others present during the valedictory session were Prof. Piyush Malaviya, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Dr. Anshu Gupta and Dr. Suresh Kumar.
