Awareness & Oncology Research are unified actions against cancer: Dir. IIIM
CSIR-IIIM observes World Cancer Day
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In its resolute for a unified action to fight against Cancer, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu has observed the World Cancer Day here on Wednesday marked by the awareness lectures and the demonstration of the oncology research to the more than 350 students drawn from different schools across Jammu. A spokesperson informed that during the event the students enthusiastically took part in the awareness activities and the scientific interactions aimed at promoting cancer education, prevention and research awareness.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM who led the event, has reiterated the institute’s commitment to strengthening science education and community health awareness. He urged students to remain curious, ask questions, spread the awareness about cancer in the society and also be a part of the fight against cancer.
He underscored the need for greater awareness about diseases like cancer and the role of science in addressing them. About IIIM’s role, he mentioned that spreading awareness and the preclinical drug discovery in the area of oncology in particular for the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), colo-rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and the cancer pain management at the institute form its unified action against cancer.
The programme was organised under CSIR’s Jigyasa initiative, which seeks to cultivate scientific curiosity among school students and connect them with real-world research environments.
The visit combined awareness outreach with laboratory exposure, turning the global health observance into an educational experience for young learners.
Students from PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Jourian and PM SHRI Government High School, Digiana, accompanied by their teachers, were received at the institute and participated in a campus march highlighting cancer awareness, early detection and healthy lifestyle choices.
As part of the programme, the students toured several advanced research laboratories at CSIR-IIIM, where they observed ongoing scientific work and interacted with researchers. Scientists introduced them to drug discovery processes and biomedical research related to cancer and other diseases. The exposure was aimed at helping students understand how scientific research contributes to healthcare solutions and how classroom learning connects with practical challenges in medical science. Mohd Jamal Dar, Senior Principal Scientist from the Pharmacology Division, addressed the gathering and spoke about the importance of research in understanding and combating diseases such as cancer.
He explained that scientific investigation plays a crucial role in developing therapies and improving disease management, and encouraged students to develop a scientific outlook towards health issues. Several senior scientists and divisional heads of the institute were present during the programme, including Abdul Rahim, Shashank K Singh, Asha Chaubey, Dhiraj Vyas, Sumit G. Gandhi, Kasuhal Kumar, Zahoor Wani, Qazi Naveed Ahmed and Rajesh Gupta.
