Academic Visit to Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali& adjoining places Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, & Fateh Burj, Chappadchidi, Mohali(Punjab)

Date: 27-09-2023

Event Venue/Time: 9:00 am-8:00 pm

Organizing unit/ agency/ collaborating agency: Department of Physical Sciences, UIS

Name of Scheme:Under the aegis of IQAC, SBBSU

Number of Participants64

Event Report

To bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical aspects of the curriculum, the Department of Physical Sciences (UIS) organized an academic visit for the students of M.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics, B.Sc. Non-Medical/Medical, Ph.D. research scholars of UIS, and students from other disciplines of Sciences to the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali on 27th September 2023.

On 27th September 2023, IISER observed their foundation day and provided access to all academic and research resources for students from other institutions.

The academic visit was coordinated by Dr. Satnam Singh (Assistant Professor, Physics), Mr. Jujhar Singh (Assistant Professor, Mathematics), Ms. Bhavna (Assistant Professor, Mathematics), and Ms. Seema (Assistant Professor, Chemistry). Students and faculty visited the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Mohali, and some adjacent places of historic significance such as Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan and Fateh Burj, Chapparchiri, Mohali (Punjab).

Students visited different teaching labs (TL) of Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, and research labs (RL) at IISER Mohali such as Sanjay Singh’s Lab (RL), Santanu Pal’s Lab (RL), and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Lab (NMR Lab).

It was a great opportunity, and students gained excellent exposure to various experiments in chemistry such as redox reactions, electrochemical reactions, and high-pressure and vacuum-based reactions. Students also learned about the microscopic view of different microbes using sophisticated instruments like cyanobacteria and hibiscus.

Demonstrations of various instruments for material characterization were provided by the researchers and scientists of IISER in different labs. Students explored different modern technologies used there.

Students also visited the IISER Mohali Information Center (Library).

As part of the visit, students visited Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana, and Fateh Burj, Chapparchiri, Mohali, where they learned about the historic significance of these places.

This academic visit was a great opportunity and provided excellent exposure for the budding scientists.

Importance of the Places

IISER Mohali

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali (IISER Mohali) is an autonomous public research university established in 2006 at Mohali, Punjab, India. It is one of the seven Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) established by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Government of India, to conduct research in frontier areas of science and to provide science education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The institute focuses on pure research as well as interdisciplinary research in various fields of science.

Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana, Mohali

Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana was built in remembrance of the Sikhs who were martyred during the Anglo-Sikh wars in the mid-1800s. The Gurdwara was constructed in memory of the martyr (Shaheed) Jathedar Baba Hanuman Singh Ji (age 90), the 7th Jathedar of Budha Dal (leader of Nihang Singhs) and the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, along with 500 other Sikhs.

Fateh Burj

The Fateh Burj (The Victory Tower), a prominent tourist site in Punjab and the tallest tower in India, is situated in the historical village of Chapparchiri in the SAS Nagar district (Mohali district) of Punjab state. Completed in 2011, the 328 feet (100 meters) tower is dedicated to the establishment of the Sikh Misls in a large part of Punjab in 1711. It was here that Banda Singh Bahadur, one of the most respected and great Sikh warriors, won a decisive battle against Wazir Khan, commander of the Mughal army.

In 1710, Banda Singh Bahadur won the battle against Wazir Khan, who commanded the Mughal army at Chapparchiri. Wazir Khan had planned to stop the march of the Sikh army, led by Banda Singh Bahadur, to Sirhind.