ITANAGAR, 16 Jan: A group of 15 BSc 5th semester students from Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) here, led by Assistant Professor Botem Moyong, visited educational institutes, science centres, and tourist spots in Guwahati (Assam) and Shillong(Meghalaya) during a ‘science study tour’ from 12 to 16 January.
The main objective of the tour was to enhance the students’ understanding of scientific concepts beyond the classroom, connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, and to encourage their curiosity and scientific thinking.
The team visited the Assam Don Bosco University, the National Science Centre, the planetarium, the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, the Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre, Nehru Park, Gauhati University, etc, in Guwahati, and the Botanical Survey of India, Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Don Bosco Museum, Ward’s Lake, cathedral, etc,in Meghalaya.
At the Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU), an academic exchange programme was organised by the university’s mathematics department in collaboration with DNGC on 13 January. The programme aimed to foster academic collaboration, promote exposure to advanced areas of mathematics, and encourage interaction between faculty members and students of the university and the college.
The university’s Mathematics Department Head Dr Fokrul Alom Mazarbhuiya highlighted the importance of academic exchange programmes in strengthening inter-institutional collaboration and broadening students’ academic perspectives.
Moyong emphasised the significance of such initiatives in enhancing students’ motivation and academic exposure beyond their home institution.
ADBU Professor Tarini Kumar Dutta conducted an academic session, during which he introduced several advanced topics in mathematics. His talk provided valuable insights into higher-level mathematical concepts such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, etc, and contemporary developments, generating keen interest among the visiting students as well as the faculty members.
The team led by Botem interacted with faculty members and students of the university and also visited the entire campus of the institute.
At the Botanical Survey of India’s eastern regional centre, the team interacted with the scientist-in-charge Dr N Odyuo and other staffers of the institute.
The team, guided by BSI senior preservation assistant Dr Y Mahesh, also visited the herbarium laboratory and the botanical garden of the institute. Dr Mahesh taught the students how to identify a particular plant and preserve it in the herbarium laboratory.
The students, especially botany department students, took active participation and obtained practical knowledge.
The team comprised five students from botany, six from zoology, two from chemistry, and one each from physics and mathematics departments.
