Andhra Pradesh MLA and alumnus of the Department of Microbiology of Gulbarga University Gadde Ramamohan on Thursday said that microbiology and technology have an important role to play in ensuring sustainable development and safeguarding human life and stressed the need for continuous research in agriculture, environment, medicine, industry and pharmaceuticals to build a healthier future.

He was speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Department of Microbiology of Gulbarga University and a two-day national conference on “Microbial Horizons: Technology for a Better Tomorrow” at the Pasteur Hall of the department.

The event was organised jointly by the Department of Microbiology and its alumni association.

Mr. Ramamohan said that the importance of microbiology and technological advancement has become particularly evident during crises such as COVID-19 pandemic when global health systems faced unprecedented challenges.

He said that awareness about infections, disease prevention, control measures, vaccines, medicines and improved treatment methods will remain crucial for protecting the health and future of the coming generations.

“As technology continues to advance, new challenges are also emerging before medical science,” he said and added that students must, therefore, develop interest in the latest trends and experiments in microbiology and advanced technology.

Vice-Chancellor of Gulbarga University Shashikant S. Udikeri, who was the chief guest, said that the golden jubilee celebrations and the conference have brought together teachers, students and alumni.

Reflecting the academic growth of the department over the last five decades, he said that the department has consistently drawn students towards teaching and research and has produced talented professionals through the dedication of its faculty.

“New technologies are playing an important role in ensuring human safety, improving treatment methods, controlling viruses and supporting progress in agriculture and industry. Growing public awareness about health, healthy food and the use of organic products has helped people become more conscious of infection prevention and better living practices,” he said.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Gulbarga University Dayanand Agsar said that there is an urgent need in the present times to think seriously about the protection of human life and the future of society.

He observed that modern lifestyles have exposed humanity to several dangerous bacteria and viruses. He said that the contributions of microbiologists at the State, national and international levels needed to be remembered and recognised.

He paid tributes to all the professors who have worked for the growth of the Department of Microbiology.

Head of the department and conference coordinator M.B. Sulochana, who presided over the inaugural session, said that the golden jubilee celebrations and the conference will help foster enthusiasm for learning among students, encourage new research ideas and innovation and improve understanding of emerging technologies.

She said that the lectures by experts at the conference will be particularly useful for postgraduate students and young researchers.

Earlier, alumni association secretary Chandrakant Kelmani, in his introductory remarks, highlighted the achievements of the department over the past 50 years.

He said that the department has achieved several milestones in academics and research and that its alumni have distinguished themselves as teachers, researchers, industrialists, entrepreneurs and scientists in pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad.

He described the department as one of the prestigious institutions in South India with a record of quality research and significant publications.

Retired professor of microbiology in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Vijaykumar Savalagi, Anuradha Gadde, Registrar Ramesh Landankar, Syndicate member Peerjade Faheemuddin and alumni association president K. Lingappa were among the guests of honour.

The dignitaries also released a souvenir brought out in connection with the conference.