The Department of Botany, which came into existence in the year 1989, has developed strong research programmes in the fields of stress physiology, structural & developmental botany, environmental botany, plant systematics, medicinal botany, plant biotechnology and plant molecular biology. The first registration for Ph.D. dates back to 1991 while the post-graduate and under-graduate teaching programme started in 1994 and 2017 respectively leading to the award of degrees of M.Sc. & B.Sc. (Hons.). The first Ph.D. from the department was awarded in 1995 and the first batches of students were awarded M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) in 1996 and 2020 respectively. An Advanced Diploma in Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment is also offered by the department through distance mode of learning.
During the last 31 years, as many as 114 students have received Ph.D. degrees. The alumni of the department are noted teachers and scientists occupying important positions in Indian universities, research institutions, colleges and non-governmental organizations. The department has been acknowledged for its excellence and creativity by various funding agencies of National/ International repute.
Twenty-three research projects from various funding agencies including DBT, DST, UGC, AYUSH, IPI, CCRUM, have been successfully completed in the department. The department has received generous funding DST-FIST & UGC-SAP (DRS-I) programmes. At present the department is receiving substantial funding from DST-SERB, UGC & SERB-NPDF.
The students of department have been successfully clearing the national level exams including NET/GATE/ICMR test for JRF and have been selected in reputed institutions such as JMI, Delhi University, AMU (Aligarh), Amity University, IGNOU, Kashmir University, NIOS, DRDO, Integral University (Lucknow) etc. Besides national institutions, students of the Botany department have been enrolled in Ph.D. programmes of international universities. Moreover, students of botany have been qualifying the highest level of civil services exams including IAS, IPS, KAS.
Research at our department ranges from fundamental discovery (through integrated physiological, biochemical and molecular biology approaches) to delivery of research-based information and new technology to end users.
Vision
The department yearns to be a centre with state-of-the-art facilities for promoting holistic study of plant sciences and realizing products and processes in alignment with sustainable goal developments for the overall well-being of society.
Mission
The mission of the department of botany is to
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attain excellence in teaching and research in botany;
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address global issues intervened by plants through cutting-edge research, dynamic graduate and postgraduate education with exemplary outreach;
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train and develop human resources in botany by tapping their inherent potential and enriching their learning experience;
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address the global issues of food insecurity and climate change by way of basics and translational research;
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effect in-situ conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants native to the NCR of Delhi in the herbal garden which is an integral part of the department;
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develop state-of-the-art facility for plant-based herbal drug identification and characterization;
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introduce relevant and tailor-made courses to address burning global issues such as climate change;
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promote public outreach programmes such as World Environment Day, World Ozone Day, Fascination of Plants Day etc;
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adopt sustainable development goals (SDGs) in teaching and research;
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develop and maintain Green India and promote sustainable healthy environment by adopting and implementing social programmes like Haritha Haram; and
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maximize the employability opportunities of maximum number of students.