Central University of Punjab organized an DST-JSPS collaborated International Symposium on Advances in Bio-Medical Sciences and International Programme on Autism Awareness

Bathinda, April 3, 2024: The Central University of Punjab, under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, recently organized an International Symposium on Advances in Biomedical Sciences and an International Program on Autism Awareness. The event aimed to provide valuable insights into biomedical sciences and contribute significantly to the field of autism awareness.

The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, conducted this program in collaboration with various institutions, including National Hospital Organization Utano Hospital in Kyoto, Japan; Mizoram University in Aizawl; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda; Bharatiya Sikshan Mandal, Punjab prant; Occupational Connect Child Therapy Centre, Bathinda; and Zoram Medical College, Falkawn, Mizoram, to host impactful discussions under the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Forum '24 and to commemorate Autism Awareness Day by contributing meaningfully to the field of biomedicine. During this symposium, Prof. Masako Kinoshita, the Japanese collaborator, Chief Neurologist, and Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology at National Hospital Organization Utano National Hospital, Kyoto, Japan, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest of the program. The event, attended by 80 members of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) family including Parents/Guardians and Special Childrens, aimed to raise awareness about ASD's clinical features and behavioral changes. Also, more than 150 post-graduate students, PhD Scholars and Faculties from Central University of Punjab had participated in the above-said event. 

Prof. Masako Kinoshita, as the Chief Guest of the Symposium, provided an in-depth overview of neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the diagnostic methods used in Japan and discussing the correlation between autism and epilepsy. She also underscored Japan's Developmental Disabilities Support Act of 2005, emphasizing the importance of social awareness and support for individuals with such disorders. Prof. Kinoshita's expertise in pediatric neurology, particularly her insights on epilepsy associated with ASD, enriched the symposium's discourse. Additionally, Dr. Arvinder Wander, Head of the Department and Associate Professor, Pediatric Neurology, AIIMS, Bathinda and Dr. Cheena Jain, Occupational Connect, Barhinsa explored treatment options and therapy roles for symptom alleviation, facilitating interaction between families and national/international researchers and clinicians.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, underscored the importance of embracing differences, destigmatizing, fostering acceptance, and providing support to individuals with ASD. In addition to presenting a Trilingual book on Autism, the Vice Chancellor also offered gifts to the special children.

The Inaugural session of this symposium commenced with the welcome address by Prof. Sanjeev K. Thakur, Dean of Basic Sciences. Thereafter, Dr. Balachandar Vellingiri (Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, CUPB), the workshop organizer, emphasized autism's complexity as a spectrum disorder affecting individuals regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. He highlighted ASD's prevalence (1 in 59 children) and the global burden of neurodevelopmental disorders (5% of the population), recommending diagnostic tools like ICD-11, DSM-5, questionnaires, pedigree analysis, and medical history for severity assessment. Given the limited targeted treatments for rare diseases, he advocated for functional therapies. Dr. Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, CUPB, expressed gratitude for promoting inclusivity and awareness towards the event's end and financial assistance from DST-JSPS project. The chapter-II program has been organized by Mizoram University, in collaboration with Zoram Medical College, took place at the Administrative Conference Hall, Mizoram University, Aizawl on March 28, 2024. This gathering provided valuable learning opportunities for both children and parents, concluding with expert advice on therapy and further diagnosis for children's well-being.