International Symposium on

"Recent Trends in Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology:
from Brain to Behaviour"

SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY

           Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune), one of the premier universities in India, is positioned in the North-western part of Pune city. It occupies an area of about 411 acres. It was established on 10th February, 1949 under the Poona University Act. The university houses 46 academic departments. It is popularly known as the 'Oxford of the East'. It has about 307 recognized research institutes and 612 affiliated colleges offering graduate and under-graduate courses. According to Times Higher Education World University Ranking Savitribai Phule Pune University has been ranked No. 2 among the universities in India. The university is NAAC re-accredited at A+ level and has status of University with Potential for excellence by UGC, India. It is also DST-PURSE sponsored University.

About the Department

          The Department of Zoology is one of the first departments to be established by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune) in 1950. Situated on an exceptionally beautiful and picturesque campus of the Savitribai Phule Pune University, the Department of Zoology offers up-to-date and pertinent post-graduation programme (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) in Zoology with emphasis on fundamentals as well as emerging areas of modern biology.
           During last 60 years, the Department has made its identity in the frontier areas of Life Sciences and now it has developed into a full- fledged centre of teaching and research in modern biology. Efforts of the department in establishing unique and innovative teaching and training programmes led to its recognition as Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) since 2005 (Phase I, II & III). The Department of Zoology has received funds from the UGC and DST under various schemes (COSIST, UPE, FIST and PURSE).
           Way back in 1985 the Department of Zoology was given the University Leadership programme. In the same year, the first national programme of M.Sc. in Biotechnology supported by the Department of Biotechnology (then NTBT), Government of India was initiated in the Department of Zoology. In the following years, several research establishments like Bioinformatics Centre, National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS), Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB), which are now independent institutions, were housed in the department and their research activities were initiated.
           The department offers the Credit System for M.Sc. in Zoology with emphasis on hands-on practical training and continuous assessment. Being an autonomous department of the University, the Department of Zoology also has flexibility in framing courses and conducting tests and examinations. The faculty members of the department have been actively engaged in research and have received research grants from various funding agencies such as UGC, CSIR, DRDO, ISRO, DBT, DST, DAE, MHRD-SPARC and ICMR, in addition to industry sponsored projects.
           The department hosts every year a National Symposium on ‘Recent Trends in Biology’ as a regular feature. The faculty and students of various P.G. departments under life sciences get an opportunity to listen to the scientific presentations and deliberations in the frontline areas of modern biology. The department has successfully organized four short-term courses under the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) programme sponsored by MHRD Government of India, in which the international scientists/professors were invited to encourage their engagement with the faculty and students of SPPU. Moreover, there are regular events of educational film shows, study tour for surveying flora and fauna, seminars by invited scientists which contribute to spirited scientific interactions and in maintaining intellectual ambience.

About the Society (ISCE)

           The Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE) is a registered scientific body of India and had its genesis at the Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University with the efforts of comparative endocrinologists of the country under the leadership of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University. Since its inception, the society has grown in strength and the membership has expanded to all corners of the country. The society encourages young and competent researchers and faculty members to join and participate in the goal of the society which is to promote research in the field of comparative endocrinology. The ISCE is affiliated to International Federation of Comparative Endocrine Societies.
          The ISCE has a mandate of organizing one national or international symposium and one workshop on recent tools and techniques on endocrine research on every alternate year. Keeping up with its mandate, the Society has organized several symposia/conferences and workshops across the country. In addition, the Society has instituted one Gold Medal for Best Oral Presentation sponsored by Prof. Shamim Haider and Prof. Radhakrishnamurthy memorial award for the best poster presentation to be given at the occasion of symposium/conference organized under the aegis of ISCE. The Society also brings out News Letter regularly. More details about the organization and working of the society, its members, its activities can be found at www.isceindia.org

About the Conference

           On behalf of the Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University and the Indian Society for Comparative Endocrinology (ISCE), I have the privilege and honour of welcoming you to this international symposium on “Recent Trends in Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology: from Brain to Behaviour (RTCEPBB-2023)” being organized at the Department of Zoology, S. P. Pune University, Pune. RTCEPBB-23 is a unique meeting bringing together the researchers working in the fields of comparative endocrinology, physiology and behaviour. We are sure that the gathering will be an excellent opportunity for students, researchers and faculty to interact with highly competent researchers sharing their recent findings in the theme areas of the symposium.
          Comparative Endocrinology and Physiology although have grown enormously as individual disciplines, the challenge is to understand the integration of environmental cues and the hormonal signals in bringing about changes in morphology, physiology and behaviour of different groups of organisms and the researchers participating in the forthcoming symposium will deliberate, discuss and present their views on these aspects of biology. It will be a wonderful opportunity for young minds to participate in such meetings, interact with highly successful and competent researchers across the globe and listen to their experiences, which will help them to shape their career.