Four-Day Hands-on Training on Laboratory Skills and Entrepreneurship Concludes at ICAR-RCER, Patna

A four-day hands-on training programme on “Laboratory Skills and Entrepreneurship: A One Health Approach to Soil, Animal and Human Health” concluded at the ICAR–Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna on August 21, 2026. Organized from August 18 to 21, the training aimed to equip young students with practical laboratory skills, exposure to modern diagnostic techniques and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

The training followed a One Health approach, linking soil, environmental, animal and human health. Participants received hands-on exposure to soil analysis, microbial techniques, bacterial culturing, ELISA, nucleic acid isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis and real-time PCR. They were also introduced to bioinformatics and human diagnostic laboratory practices and visited a farm to understand field-level applications.

A total of 16 participants from six institutions took part, representing Chemistry, Zoology, Pharmacology, Botany and Biotechnology backgrounds. The participants included undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. students, with 50 per cent female participation.

Dr. Anup Das, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna congratulated the participants and appreciated the programme’s hands-on nature. Dr. Das described youth as an important strength of the country and urged participants to carry forward the skills, confidence and curiosity gained during the programme. He emphasized the importance of practical laboratory skills and encouraged participants to continue learning, updating their knowledge and applying scientific skills to real-life problems. Dr. Das stressed that scientific skills should be connected with employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. He also highlighted the relevance of the One Health concept and the close interconnection of human, animal and environmental health.

An important component of the programme was laboratory entrepreneurship, which encouraged participants to explore laboratory-based services and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond conventional employment. The training thus brought together the key elements of One Health, practical skill development, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. The  Heads of Divisions, scientists  and other staff of the institute were present during the programme.