Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 25: The Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, inaugurated the “Scanning and Photographic Facility for Herbarium Digitization” and the Virtual Herbarium at the Department of Botany in presence of Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Dean Life Sciences; Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean Planning and Development; Prof. Anju Bhasin, Dean Academic Affairs and Sciences, and Prof. Susheel Verma, Head, Department of Botany.
The facility, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the FIST program, aims to enhance the university’s global standing.
During the ceremony, Prof. Rai emphasized the importance of digitizing botanical resources and expressed pride in the university’s recent achievement of ranking 50th in 2024. He announced Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance for the development of a Botanical Garden and herbarium.
Prof. Yash Pal Sharma discussed the significance of botanical gardens, while Prof. Meena Sharma highlighted the university’s commitment to accessible, knowledge-based resources. Prof. Anju Bhasin stressed the urgency of plant conservation efforts.
Prof. Susheel Verma, Head of the Department, welcomed guests and highlighted the global importance of virtual herbaria. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to contributors involved in the digitization process. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, research scholars, and students, showcasing the university’s commitment to advancing botanical research.