Name of Department: Faculty of Pharmacy

Organized by: Placebo Club

In Collaboration with: Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) & IQAC, Desh Bhagat University

Event Coordinator: Mr. Rahul Sharma & Mr. Shubham Garg

Date of Event: 13 October 2026

Time: 09:30:00 AM onwards

Venue: IISER Mohali

Mode: Offline

Aim

To provide B.Pharmacy and M.Pharmacy students with practical exposure to advanced scientific research, analytical instrumentation, pharmaceutical nanotechnology, drug design, and research and development facilities at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, thereby enhancing their scientific knowledge and understanding of modern research methodologies and their applications in pharmaceutical sciences.

Objectives

• To familiarize students with the research facilities and scientific infrastructure available at IISER Mohali.
• To provide practical exposure to the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) and advanced analytical techniques such as NMR, TEM, and SEM.
• To enhance students’ understanding of pharmaceutical nanotechnology and modern drug design approaches.
• To interact with IISER scientists and gain insights into ongoing scientific research and innovative technologies.
• To understand the role of research and development (R&D) in scientific advancement and pharmaceutical innovation.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications through experiential learning.
• To motivate students to pursue higher studies, interdisciplinary research, and careers in scientific research and development.

Report:

The Faculty of Pharmacy, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, organised an educational and industrial visit to the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali, on 13 October 2026 for B. Pharmacy and M. Pharmacy students. The visit was organised by the Placebo Club in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The primary aim of the visit was to provide students with exposure to advanced scientific research facilities, modern analytical instruments and recent developments in pharmaceutical sciences. The programme was designed to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications and familiarise students with the research environment of a leading scientific institution.

IISER Mohali is one of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research established by the Government of India to promote high-quality science education and research. Located in Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Punjab, the institute focuses on integrating undergraduate and postgraduate education with scientific research. It provides an academic environment in which students and researchers explore fundamental scientific concepts and develop innovative approaches to various scientific problems. Its multidisciplinary research environment covers areas of science such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and related interdisciplinary fields. The institute plays an important role in promoting scientific knowledge, research skills and innovation through advanced laboratory facilities, research programmes and academic activities. A visit to such an institution can help pharmacy students understand the importance of basic sciences in pharmaceutical research and drug development.

The programme highlighted the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF), which supports scientific investigations through specialised analytical instruments. Students were introduced to the importance of advanced analytical techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). NMR is used to study molecular structure and the chemical environment of atoms, whereas TEM and SEM are useful for examining fine structural features and material morphology. These techniques have important applications in pharmaceutical analysis, medicinal chemistry, material characterisation and drug development. Understanding their principles and applications helps students appreciate the role of modern instrumentation in scientific investigations.

Another important area of the visit was pharmaceutical nanotechnology, an emerging field that explores nanoscale materials and systems for drug delivery and formulation development. Students were encouraged to understand how research in nanotechnology may contribute to improving drug delivery systems and developing innovative pharmaceutical formulations. The programme also highlighted drug design and research and development (R&D), which are essential for identifying potential therapeutic compounds, investigating their properties and supporting the development of new medicines. These research areas demonstrate how scientific knowledge and technological advancements contribute to pharmaceutical innovation.

The visit also emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary learning, scientific communication and research opportunities. Exposure to a research-focused institution can help students appreciate the importance of experimental accuracy, proper data interpretation, laboratory safety and responsible scientific practices. It can also encourage them to explore research projects, postgraduate studies and career opportunities in academic institutions, research laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry.

Overall, the educational and industrial visit to IISER Mohali was intended to enhance students’ scientific understanding and awareness of contemporary research practices. The programme provided an opportunity to relate classroom concepts to advanced scientific applications and understand the importance of analytical instrumentation, nanotechnology and drug discovery. The visit also aimed to develop scientific curiosity, encourage innovation and motivate students to pursue further learning and research in pharmaceutical sciences.

Outcomes

• Enhanced students’ awareness of IISER Mohali and its role in scientific education and research.
• Improved understanding of advanced research facilities and the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF).
• Gained knowledge of analytical techniques such as NMR, TEM and SEM and their applications.
• Developed an understanding of pharmaceutical nanotechnology and its role in drug delivery. Increased awareness of drug design, drug discovery and research and development (R&D).
• Understood the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in scientific research and pharmaceutical innovation.
• Developed awareness of laboratory safety, accurate data interpretation and responsible research practices.
• Encouraged students to pursue higher education, research projects and career opportunities in pharmaceutical sciences.

The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks. Sincere gratitude was extended to our respected principal, Dr. Puja Gulati, for her constant support, encouragement, and guidance in making the event successful.

The organisers also expressed their appreciation to the IIC, IQAC, Faculty of Pharmacy, faculty members, and students for their cooperation. The collective efforts of everyone involved contributed significantly to the successful completion of the Educational and Industrial Visit.

Conclusion

The Educational and Industrial Visit to IISER Mohali organized by the Placebo Club, Faculty of Pharmacy, in collaboration with IIC and IQAC, Desh Bhagat University, successfully provided students with valuable exposure to innovation, emerging technologies, and Research development. The visit aimed to enhance students’ understanding of modern scientific research, advanced analytical instrumentation and their applications in pharmaceutical sciences. It provided an opportunity to learn about the importance of the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) and techniques such as NMR, TEM and SEM in scientific investigations. The programme also highlighted the significance of pharmaceutical nanotechnology, drug design and research and development in promoting pharmaceutical innovation. Exposure to the research environment at IISER Mohali helped students appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific accuracy, laboratory safety and responsible research practices. The visit was intended to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications while encouraging students to develop scientific curiosity and critical-thinking skills. It also motivated them to explore opportunities for higher education, research projects and professional careers in pharmaceutical sciences. Overall, the visit represented a valuable learning opportunity that supported academic development and encouraged students to pursue further learning and research in emerging scientific fields.