Introduction

DBT sponsored initiative to explore research opportunities for Students

An origami microscope named as Foldscope was invented a few years ago by Manu Prakash and Jim Cybulski from Stanford University. The basic intention behind this discovery was to develop potential in everyone to change the way to view life and microorganisms around us.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and the Prakash Lab at Stanford University, USA signed an agreement to bring the Foldscope to India to encourage curiosity in science. Accordingly, funding scheme was devised by DBT and float an announcement or the proposals to carry out research using Foldscope. The beauty of the project scheme was the crystal clear mandate to include following things –

1. Involvement of the students in Research
2. Organization of an outreach activities for schools, colleges and society in general
3. Use of Foldscope as Educational Tool
4. Carry out research using foldscope
5. Twinning of the project with the Principal Investigator in the same scheme from North East Region for Students’ Exchange.

The proposal was sanctioned in the favour of Dr. Dinesh Khedkar, Associate Professor in Botany, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati for the project entitled "Study of Leaf Surface Diversity in the plants in and around city of Amravati". The fund of Rs. 8.00 Lacks was sanctioned. The work conducted under the project is as follows –

1. Outreach Activities:
The students of the B. Sc. Final year conducted workshops as “Exploration of Minuscule World through Foldscope” in the 20 schools in and around city of Amravati. Around 800 students were offered with an hands on experience to see and enjoy the microworld.
The same experience was imparted to common citizens in the city of Amravati by conducting sessions at colonies and societies.

2. Students’ Exchange:
To bring North East states in the main flow of the national development and exchange education, research and culture with the rest of India, it was mandatory for every Principal Investigator to collaborate research projects with each other. Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati collaborated project with Dr. MousmiSaikia, AnandarmDhekialPhookan College (A. D. P College), Nagaon, Assam and Dr. Roohi Mushtaq, Sri Pratap College, Cluster University, Srinagar. The MoU was signed between both the institutes with the following terms –

1. Interact and Exchange for the better outcome of the research undertaken by both PIs.
2. Organize visits for interaction between the students of both the region under the outreach programme.
3. To know the diversity of both the regions through fieldwork.
4. Organize workshops in collaboration for the students and the faculties.
5. To satisfy, any other requirements as and when conveyed by authorities.

In the further collaborative process under the project, “Student Exchange Programme” in envisioned. The first linking activity was conducted as the visit of North East Students to Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati during 9th Oct. to 10th Oct. 2018. This Exchange Program was one day Twining Sessions to explore opportunities of research through Foldscope and visit to the Ankur Seeds Company, Nagpur. In return to the visit by North Eastern Students to this institute, students from Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati has also visited Assam under the similar program during 24th Nov. 2018 to 2nd Dec. 2018. This visit includes Kolkata, Guwahati, Nagaon, Kaziranga and Shillong.Besides, twinning partner institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research was also explored. Dr. Krishnappa and other three Principal Investigators were working in this centre for different research areas with foldscope.

3. Research:
The Junior research fellow and the B. Sc. Final year students are simultaneously working on the research target under the project. 10 groups of the students with 10 to 12 students in each group are exploring the Leaf Surface Diversity in the plants in and around city of Amravati. Many of the students are now at the stage to publish their research as an article in reputed journal of research. The outstanding achievement of the project is to inculcate social responsibility, communication skill and research attitude in the students at early stage of their under graduate studies.