BOTANY 4U is an online platform for the students of Life Sciences. The term “online platform” has been used to describe a range of services available on the Internet through social media, websites, YouTube, etc., including all related services. The Life Sciences include all the branches of science that focus on living organisms. The major concerns are the study and improvement of life, from improving human health to growing better crops and saving the environment. The Life Sciences include Biology, Medicine and all related subfields. It also includes the areas of study directly related to biology and medicine such as Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and even Bioethics. People interested in the Life Sciences have a choice of many exciting, in-demand and lucrative careers. Immunology, Genomics, Clinical Research and Biotechnology are just a few of the hot areas of specialization with positions for researchers, laboratory managers, technicians, data scientists, statisticians and much more.
This platform is specially developed using Internet technology for the design and development of teaching and learning purposes. Distance Education has been available in many forms for a long time; the technologies associated with the Internet are opening up new ways of delivering the educational product. Online education has become widespread in many countries during recent years, and the paradigm shift from traditional to online education has occurred as part of planned educational policy, with both international and national experiences supporting its growth. Students are increasingly demanding online access and universities are working to meet these demands. In addition, technology is expected to improve access to education, reduce costs, improve the cost-effectiveness of education, and maintain the competitive advantage in student recruitment in higher education.
The aim of BOTANY 4U is to bring the students, researcher and resource persons in Life Sciences from all parts of the globe on a common platform. National Teachers Organization in Life Sciences (NTOILS) is also formed to bring the faculties in Life Sciences on this platform. The collaborative research activities will be undertaken for the members of NTOILS at national and international level. The teachers with membership on BOTANY 4U & NTOILS will have access as participant and resource person in teaching-learning practices and national and international seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., so that maximum number of students can take the advantage of the knowledge and skills of faculty members in Life Sciences in and around the globe. This will help in our mission to empower students in Life Sciences to be achievers as well as responsible, committed individuals with human values so that they can become assets to family, society, nation and the world.
This online platform exists in the form of mainly YouTube Channel, Telegram group, WhatsApp group, Facebook Page, etc. The workshops and seminars organized through this platform are communicated through respective Telegram groups of students and teachers. The activities organised through this online platform are related to teaching-learning, personality development, career opportunities, collaborative research and organization of national and international seminars, conferences and workshops, etc. Every stakeholder in Life Sciences including students, research scholars and even teachers will be highly motivated and benefitted through the working of this online platform at national and international level.