Covid pandemic gave a learning experience, says Prof Kang

By Our Special Correspondent

Eminent medical researcher and virologist Professor Gagandeep Kang recalls the past 30 months of the pandemic as a learning experience. She spoke as the chief guest at the third convocation of the Graduate India Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) held at the institute's permanent premises in Erpedu on Monday.

Professor Kang said, "Some people say the epidemic is scary and others say it is terrible. But we are also lucky because science has given us solutions quickly.

Two-and-a-half years ago we never thought vaccines would arrive so quickly, and India is celebrating two billion doses of vaccines. ” This was unthinkable just two and a half years ago, she said.

With this, people began to learn that humans could work together and find solutions to the most difficult problems facing mankind. Due to the large number of infected, the health systems were overwhelmed.

There are problems that can be solved by better logistic planning and better supply systems. Professor Kang advised the graduates, "Embrace the struggle. It's when we struggle, when we fail, when we grow.

Furthermore, we must really listen and learn to empathize with the world beyond our own vision. Third, it's important to be excited about what you're doing in your work and in your life."

Presenting the annual report, IISER Tirupati director Prof K N Ganesh said that 88 students have obtained BS and MS degrees, 35 in 2020 and 65 in 2021. The institute also awarded its first three PhD degrees this year.

The institute started in 2015 with a first batch of 35 BS-MS students and has now grown to 697 students with a total of 920 students including 129 PhD students, 60 International PhD students and 30 Postdoctoral Fellows.

Out of the 88 students who have graduated so far, 54 have done their MS thesis work at external institutes, including six overseas institutes in Germany, Austria, France, Australia and Switzerland, he said. Already 15 students have confirmed offers to join PhD programs outside India, at institutes and universities in the US, Europe and Australia.

Board of Governors Chairperson Prof JB Joshi addressed the convocation in virtual mode. Coordinator, Academics Professor G Ambika, Registrar Dr. CP Mohan Kumar, other Governing Council members, faculty, students and their parents participated in the convocation.