07/01/2026
🌿 Educational Tour to Sikkim | B.Tech. Biotechnology (Final Year) 🌿
The Final Year B.Tech. Biotechnology students (31 students) of the College of Basic Sciences & Humanities (CBS&H), RPCAU, Pusa successfully undertook an educational tour to Sikkim from 29th December 2025 to 5th January 2026, under the guidance of Dr. Karma L. Bhutia, Tour Incharge along with Dr. Jyostnarani Pradhan (Assistant Professor) and Dr. Parinita Das (Assistant Professor) aimed at enhancing experiential learning and industry–academia exposure.
The team received a warm and gracious welcome from the Dr. A.K Pandey, Dean, faculty members, and students of the College of Horticulture, CAU (Imphal), Bermiok, South Sikkim, on 30th December 2025, marking an enriching beginning to the academic interactions during the tour.
During the programme, the students visited several premier educational and research institutions in Sikkim, including College of Horticulture, CAU (Imphal), Bermiok; ICAR–National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong; Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Gangtok; Sikkim University; College of Agricultural Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology, CAU (Imphal), Ranipool; State Biotech Hub; and Temi Tea Factory, South Sikkim.
The tour provided valuable insights into the practical and commercial applications of tissue culture techniques, particularly in orchids, as well as hydroponics and aeroponics technologies. Students were exposed to ongoing research activities and emerging priorities in horticulture and medical biotechnology, with special emphasis on indigenous crop plants and research strategies for their conservation and sustainable utilization. The visit to Temi Tea Factory offered hands-on understanding of orthodox tea processing techniques and value addition, linking biotechnology with agro-industrial practices.
Overall, the educational tour proved to be a highly enriching academic experience, strengthening students’ understanding of applied biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, and research-driven innovation, while fostering inter-institutional learning and professional exposure.