Inauguration of Loyola Centre for Research and Innovation

The inaugural programme of the newly built Loyola Centre for Research and Innovation was held on Wednesday, July 15. The newbuilding equipped with state of art infrastructure for education through research was inaugurated by Rev. Dr Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province and blessed by Rt Rev.Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Shivamogga. Dr Harsh VardhanBatra, Director- Defence Food Research Laboratory, was the guest of honour. All the departments housed in building were inaugurated and blessed individually. The formal function began with an invocation hymn. 

Rev Denzil Lobo SJ, Rector, St Aloysius College, welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering, which was followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries.Addressing the gathering, guest of honourDr Harsh VardhanBatra, Scientist and Director, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) Mysuruemphasized on the need to make research a passion and innovation a habit. In his inaugural address, Rt Rev.Dr Francis SerraoSJ spoke about the spirit of Jesuit Education and the need to bring innovation in research and teachingto face the challenges of the changing world, and thus contribute to the development of science. Rev.Dr Stanislaus D’Souza SJ, Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Provincepresided over the function. 

In his presidential address he congratulated the college and urged the teachers to pursue research to make teaching and learning a lively experience.On this occasion the college acknowledged the contributions of the people prominently involved in conceptualization and materialization of the building and felicitated them. The programmeconcluded with the vote of thanks by Rev SwebertD’Silva SJ, Principal, St Aloysius College.

To mark the occasion of the inauguration of Loyola Centre for Research and Innovation, an interactive session was organized in which Dr Harsh VardhanBatra, Director- Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore addressed the post graduate students and Staff of St. Aloysius College on opportunities for carrying out training and research at DFRL.Dr. Batra in his 30 minutestalk, briefed on the research work and state of the art food processing technologies developed at DFRL. He spoke about the rapid kits for the detection of pesticides and food pathogens like Escherichiacoli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureusdeveloped at DFRL to assess the microbiological quality of raw milk and fresh meat. 

On DFRL-academia interaction, Dr. Batra expressed that, DFRL is keen to work with students and is open to collaborationwith St. Aloysius College in the areas of Food Processing and Biotechnological research.