St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, continues to encourage students to gain practical exposure beyond the classroom and engage with established research institutions. In line with this objective, the Department of Microbiology organised educational field visits for 14 T.Y. B.Sc. Microbiology students to the ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Ela, Old Goa, and the ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) Field Unit, Campal, Panaji.

The visits were undertaken as part of the practical curriculum component of MIC 301 – Virology (Practical). As part of the curriculum, students are required to undertake a field-based learning activity involving “Local field surveys of viral outbreak / visit to local research stations / sericulture / poultry, fish, and prawn farms.” The educational visits provided an opportunity for students to relate their classroom learning to research activities and field-based applications in agriculture, allied sciences and public health.

A total of 14 T.Y. B.Sc. Microbiology students, accompanied by Ms. Asmita Patil, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, participated in the educational field visits. The visit to ICAR–CCARI was scheduled for Monday, 24th August 2026 at
10.00 a.m., followed by the visit to ICMR–NIMR Field Unit at 12.00 noon on the same day.

Visit to ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR–CCARI)

The ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) is an institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research located at Ela, Old Goa, Goa. The institute undertakes research relevant to the natural resource base of coastal India, with emphasis on sustainable productivity in field and horticultural crops, livestock and fisheries. Its mandate also includes development of climate-resilient land-use and farming systems and improvement of livelihoods through sustainable coastal agriculture.

The institute’s research and demonstration activities encompass crop production, horticulture, livestock, poultry, fisheries, natural resource management and integrated farming systems. It also works on conservation and utilisation of genetic resources, production technologies for crops, livestock and fisheries, post-harvest technologies and other agri-enterprises.

The visit to ICAR–CCARI provided students with an opportunity to understand the multidisciplinary nature of agricultural research and the role of microbiological and biological sciences in animal health, poultry, fisheries, aquaculture, sustainable farming and disease management. Exposure to research farms, experimental units and demonstration facilities helped students appreciate how scientific research is translated into practical technologies for coastal agriculture and allied sectors. Recent activities at the institute include research and demonstration facilities related to field crops, horticulture, livestock production, poultry, aquaculture, biomass recycling and integrated farming systems.

The visit was particularly relevant to the students’; practical curriculum as it enabled them to observe the application of scientific principles in real-world agricultural and allied-sector settings and understand the importance of disease surveillance, preventive practices, sustainable production systems and research-based interventions.

Visit to ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR–NIMR)

The Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR–NIMR) is a premier research institute under the Indian Council of Medical Research. NIMR was established in 1977 as the Malaria Research Centre and was renamed the National Institute of Malaria Research in 2005. Its primary objective is to develop short-term and long-term solutions to malaria through basic, applied and operational field research, while also contributing to training and technology transfer. The research areas of NIMR include malaria surveillance, mosquito and vector biology, parasite biology, molecular and genetic studies, epidemiology, insecticide resistance, diagnostic technologies and evaluation of vector-control interventions. The institute also maintains field units that support field research and evaluation of technologies for malaria control.

The ICMR–NIMR Field Unit at Campal, Panaji, Goa, provided an appropriate setting for students to understand the importance of field-based research in vector-borne diseases. The field unit has been associated with research involving malaria, mosquito/vector studies, field surveys, mosquito sampling and laboratory-based investigations, thereby offering students exposure to the integration of field and laboratory approaches in disease research.

The visit enabled students to appreciate the importance of field surveillance, vector sampling, disease investigation, laboratory techniques and diagnostic approaches in controlling vector-borne diseases. It also helped them understand how microbiology
and related life sciences contribute to public health research and disease-control programmes.

Educational Significance

The educational field visits served as an important platform for experiential learning, enabling students to explore applications of microbiology beyond the conventional classroom and teaching laboratory. The visits helped students connect their theoretical knowledge with research practices involving agriculture, livestock, fisheries, vector biology, disease surveillance and public health.

The exposure also encouraged students to understand the importance of multidisciplinary research and collaboration among microbiologists, agricultural scientists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, entomologists and other life-science professionals. Interaction with research institutions provided students with a broader perspective of career opportunities and research possibilities in microbiology and allied disciplines.

The field visits further strengthened students’ understanding of field-based investigations, scientific observation, research methodology, disease surveillance and the practical application of microbiological knowledge. Such curriculum-linked activities are valuable in developing scientific curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation for the role of microbiology in addressing challenges related to agriculture, infectious diseases and public health.

The educational visits to ICAR–CCARI and ICMR–NIMR thus represented a meaningful component of curriculum-based experiential learning for the T.Y. B.Sc. Microbiology students. The exposure enabled them to relate their academic learning to real-world research and field applications while gaining a deeper understanding of the contribution of microbiology and allied sciences to sustainable agriculture, disease control and public health.