Department of Microbiology
The Department of Microbiology was established in the year 1979-80 specially to mark the centenary of college. It was initiated as a single laboratory of the Botany department. This is the only Microbiology department in Kolhapur district. Students from Konkan and Karnataka also seek admissions here. Shri. Sham Diwanay played a key role in the establishment of the department during the initial phase i.e., 1979-1982. His efforts were complimented by the later Heads of the Department. Smt A. C. Patravali (1982-86), Miss S. A. Bhonsle (1986-91) and Dr. R. D. Garge (1991-99).
Recent
The increasing need of the classes for space resulted in shifting of the department in the main building. Thus the department obtained its own establishment in December 1999 during the tenure of Principal Dr. S. P. Nanir. Now the department has two laboratories, a preparation room, and an instrumentation room, a sterilisation room and a culture room.
In the year 2001-02, an UGC sponsored vocational course in Industrial Microbiology has been started to fulfil the requirement of increasing demands of skilled Industrial microbiologist. On-Job-Training and research projects given to these students, grooms them as per the needs of industries present around.
The Department is now well-equipped with sophisticated instruments essential for undergraduate and postgraduate students such as Laminar Air Flow, BOD incubator, Gel-Electrophoresis instruments.
Quite a large number of our students pursue postgraduate courses not only in Microbiology but also in allied branches like biochemistry, Environmental Science, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Lectures of some of these students are arranged to guide the present students regarding the new trends in the field of biology. The KAL guides the AAJ for its glorious KAL.
Activities
In 2005 a grand ex-students meet was organised to celebrate the silver jubilee of the department. More than 175 students from all over India and abroad attended the meet
The Department has been arranging lectures by eminent personalities for the benefit of the students.
The BIOVISION CLUB regularly organises inter-college essay writing, model, poster, topic presentation, debate, elocution, competitions, and quiz on recent topics.
A general awareness is created regarding the role of microbes in day-to-day life, health, industries, agriculture, mining, and abatement of pollution, biotechnology, in school children and in the general public by organising exhibitions with the help of models, charts and demonstrations. Blood grouping camps are conducted periodically. Campus interviews are organised for the placement of the students.
Future Plans
- The department is also interested in starting postgraduate classes in Industrial Microbiology.
- The department has just received a grand of 2.5 cr for the construction of new building.