September 13, 2024 – The concluding ceremony of the two-day hands-on workshop on Mammalian Cell Culture Techniques was held at the Riazuddin Auditorium, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab. The workshop brought together scientists, researchers, and faculty members from institutes across Pakistan for comprehensive training in advanced cell culture techniques.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Shakil Ahmed, Director of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Punjab University, accompanied him as the Guest of Honor.

During the ceremony, Dr. Shazia Rafique gave an insightful overview of the lectures and hands-on training sessions conducted during the workshop, highlighting the significance of these techniques for biomedical research. Participants praised the instructors for their expertise and appreciated the practical knowledge they gained. Many expressed their desire for more workshops like this in the future to enhance their skills.

Prof. Dr. Moazur-Rahman, Director of CEMB, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for his unwavering support towards both faculty and students, acknowledging his vital role in fostering workshops and scientific research at CEMB. He also thanked Dr. Shakil Ahmed for his continuous support in terms of research grants and scientific collaboration. Prof. Moaz encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop and welcomed collaborative research efforts from across the country.

Dr. Shakil Ahmed lauded the efforts of CEMB, calling it a "pride of the university" for its impactful research in agriculture and health sciences. He emphasized that the Vice Chancellor had always been a strong proponent of promoting healthy academic activities, including workshops that contribute to knowledge dissemination.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood commended the efforts of CEMB in organizing such valuable training workshops, which help disseminate cutting-edge techniques and knowledge to fellow researchers nationwide. He expressed his pleasure in visiting CEMB, which continues to make significant contributions in the fields of agriculture and health sciences.

The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates to workshop participants, event sponsors i.e., Worldwide scientific and Ayyan Molecular Products, and the organizing team. Prof. Moazur Rahman and Dr. Muhammad Idrees presented souvenirs to the Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Mehmood and Director ORIC Dr. Shakil Ahmed in recognition of their support for the workshop and CEMB’s research initiatives.