Since the inception of the Department in the year 1973, it has made tremendous stride in imparting qualitative teaching and initiating research on various aspects of plant science. The above statement bears testimony to the fact that our alumni have gone on to become acclaimed teachers, scientists and administrators. The Department offers unparalleled opportunities for research and teaching/learning with faculty members at the leading-edge of their disciplines. The dynamic and visionary contributions of several renowned botanists earned the Department National recognition for its teaching and research in Plant Science. The primary responsibility of the department is to set high teaching and research standards using modern tools and technology.
The Department now has 11 faculty members training about 150 students and 9 Research scholars. Current thrust areas of teaching and research provide students with substantial exposure and hands-on training in a variety of subject areas in plant biology. The department has produced 77 M.Phil., and 17 Ph.D., scholars. For its exceptional performance both in teaching and research, the Department has been receiving substantial financial assistance over the years under UGC, DST-FIST and DBT- STAR programmes. Most of the faculty members are experts in their respective fields of research and teaching and their contributions are evident through their high quality research publications in reputed National and International journals, book-chapters, review articles and recognitions by National academic bodies such as IASc. Quite a few collaborative national research projects (DBT-Foldscope Project) and a large number of research projects funded by The Ministry of Environment and Forests and UGC are being handled by the faculty to pursue excellence in plant biology research.
The Department has provided a platform for several National and International Conferences and specialist lecturers on topics of current research interest by foreign and Indian educators and has organized workshops and symposia on thrust areas of plant science in collaboration with others scientific bodies. Greater emphasis is given for collaboration and relationship building with new ‘partners’ by way of Memorandum of Understanding and the department has MoU with Mizoram University, Mizoram and Nature Science Foundation (NSF), Coimbatore. To promote entrepreneur skill among students and to uplift the student community to become a women entrepreneur the department has offered UGC Sponsored certificate courses such as Biodegradable Solid Waste Management and Mushroom Cultivation. Burgeoning worldwide interest in conservation of the environment the Green Society and Enviro-Club of the department has conducted many eco awareness and trekking programmes.
Distinctions of the Department
- State – of- the – art Research Laboratories
- Automated Library (KOHA –an Open Source Software) with rich collection of books
- A well maintained Medicinal Garden – a treasure of plant wealth with its living collections of more than 100 species of plants with QR Code
- The Herbarium cum Museum in the Department with a rich collection of flora including few fossils
- Mist chamber for propagation of plants
- Mushroom unit to impart experiential training and enhance the entrepreneurial skill of students
- Organized Educational trips
- Vellalar Navagraha Vatika has been established near the Vinayagar temple in the college campus. Plants have been QR Coded
- Maintenance of the College Garden
- Visits to industries to increase the exposure of students to various industrial applications of Botany
- Internship programmes for increasing the scope for Academy-Industry-Interaction
Future Plans
- To update the Flora of medicinal plants in Thindal area
- To develop Electronic Herbarium and Digital Database of Campus Flora
- To establish Naksathra Garden in the College Premises
- To develop QR Code for Campus Flora
