Assam down town University Conducts Second Day of FDP on Integrative Approaches in Plant Taxonomy

Assam down town University continued its commitment to academic excellence with the successful conduct of the second day of the Faculty Development Program (FDP) organized by the Programme of Botany. 

The day began with a formal felicitation ceremony led by Dr Prasenjit Bhagawati, Assistant Professor in the Programme of Botany, who welcomed and honored the invited resource person, Dr. Devanjal Bora, Senior Scientist (Botany) at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI). Dr. Bora delivered an enriching lecture on “The Need for Correct Identification of Raw Drugs in Research to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals.” His presentation underscored the importance of accurate nomenclature and plant identification, particularly in biodiversity-rich regions like Northeast India. He shed light on the major herbariums under CCRAS in Assam, the documentation of traditional knowledge, phytochemical analysis, and online platforms instrumental in plant identification, alongside ongoing research on medicinal plants at CARI.

The second session of the day featured Dr. Manash Pratim Kashyap, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science at Assam down town University. Dr. Kashyap’s lecture focused on “Cluster Analysis Method for Quantitative Variables in Plant Taxonomy Using SPSS Software,” where he explained statistical methods such as hierarchical clustering and k-means clustering, and their role in classifying plants into taxonomic categories. He also discussed the broader relevance of these techniques in various analytical and research domains.

The day concluded on a successful note, with enthusiastic participation, engaging discussions, and a deepened understanding of both classical and modern taxonomic practices. The FDP continues to provide a valuable platform for faculty members and researchers to enhance their skills and stay abreast of current trends in plant science.