IISER Pune's SURGE Programme Empowers Under-Represented Students in Life Sciences
Pune, 29th December 2025: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune has successfully concluded the third edition of its “Skill-enhancement for Under-Represented Groups in Education (SURGE)” workshop. This initiative is designed to improve the employability and research readiness of Life Sciences students from under-represented backgrounds.
The week-long residential programme, held from December 21 to 27, 2025, brought together 26 Master’s students from various institutions across India. The workshop focused on bridging the gap between academic training and professional requirements in both academic and industrial research and development.
The programme was organised by Prof. Sutirth Dey of the Biology Department at IISER Pune, along with Ms. Poornima Raveendran and Dr. Garima Sharma. Financial support for the workshop was generously provided by the Praj Foundation and KK Nag Pvt Ltd, showcasing a strong collaboration between academic institutions and industry for inclusive education.
As part of the curriculum, participants received hands-on training in advanced laboratory techniques such as TA cloning, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. The workshop also included sessions on emerging technologies, including CRISPR gene-editing, mass spectrometry, and the use of artificial intelligence tools like AlphaFold for protein structure prediction.
To provide industry and field exposure, students visited the Praj Industries Research and Development Centre and the National Facility for Gene Function in Health and Disease (NFGFHD). These visits offered valuable insights into practical applications of their academic knowledge in real-world settings.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory programme attended by several distinguished guests. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Prof. Sunil Bhagwat, Director of IISER Pune, and Dr. Pramod Kumbhar, Chief Technology Officer of Praj Industries, were among the notable attendees.
Addressing the participants, Prof. Karandikar spoke about the government’s focus on inclusive growth in science and technology. Prof. Bhagwat and Dr. Kumbhar highlighted the increasing role of skilled human resources in strengthening India’s bio-economy and research ecosystem.
The SURGE programme is a testament to IISER Pune’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse scientific community. By providing under-represented students with the skills and exposure they need, the programme aims to ensure that these students can contribute meaningfully to the field of Life Sciences and beyond.
