ICMR S.H.I.N.E. 2026: A Day of Science and Discovery
11 August 2026 | ICMR-NITVAR Campus, Pune
Exposure to real-life applications is a vital part of a student’s learning journey. Our students from 11th standard got the opportunity to participate in ICMR’s Science and Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers (S.H.I.N.E.) 2026 — a national-level student engagement and research dissemination program.
Objective
The initiative aimed to ignite scientific curiosity among college students and introduce them to the fascinating world of biomedical research.
Highlights of the Program
- The program began with an introductory address by a junior scientist.
- An inspirational video message by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR where he explained ICMR’s work, the research process, and India’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat through science.
- A screening followed of a talk by Dr. Sheela Godbole, Director, ICMR-NITVAR, Pune on how ideas transform into innovations.
- Students could watch and learn from informative videos on the BSL-3 laboratory, biosafety, Vishanu Yuddha Abhyas, and the development of Covaxin.
- During the campus visit, students observed how scientists conduct experiments, study pathogens, and how different vaccines are made, tested, and approved for human use.
- An Interactive Q&A session with ICMR scientists gave students satisfying answers to all their questions.
- Students visited the HIV Museum, where they saw models of different viruses, learned about pathogen action in the human body, vaccine production, and how vaccines work.
- Junior scientists and fellow researchers had set up stalls with poster presentations. They also conducted quizzes based on what students learned during the visit.
It was an enriching and insightful experience that gave students a real glimpse into biomedical research and public health in India.
