A workshop on “ Foldscope as a research and diagnostic tool for Animal Parasitic Disease” was organized by the Animal Disease Research Centre, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, 
Ludhiana under the aegis of ongoing project “Use of Foldscope for diagnosis of parasitic disease with emphasis on canine zoonotic parasites under Human Animal Interface” sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, India. Foldscope is a paper microscope which was designed and developed by an Indian Researcher Prof. Manu Parkash and his team at Stanford University U.S.A. Foldscope is attachable with smart phone to visualize and capture images viewed through foldscope.
Dr. K.S. Sandhu, Sr. Scientist cum In-Charge ADRC and co-coordinator of workshop welcomed the participants and conveyed his best wishes for the workshop. Dr. Sandhu expounded the importance of practical training in the overall development of the researcher. Dr. K.S. Sandhu also highlighted the role of A.D.R.C. in providing disease diagnostic services to farmers of Punjab state and importance of Foldscope in on the spot diagnosis. The workshop began with the inaugural speech by Dr. P.S.
Brar, Dean COVS, GADVASU. Dr. Brar enlightened the participants with his encouraging views. He explained that the research work of the university should be focused in such a way that it fulfills the requirement of the farmers and field veterinarians.
Dr. M. S. Bal, Principal Investigator, D.B.T. project and Organizing secretary of workshop told that a total of 25 participants enrolled in the workshop, including 15 post graduate students from university and 10 participants from MCM DAV College for Women, Chandigarh which is also the Twinning Partner for the above mentioned project.
There were two phases of the workshop: Lecture Session and Practical
Session. Lecture Session comprised of the presentations on the utility of foldscope as a diagnostic tool for parasitic disease by Dr. M.S. Bal followed by an informative lecture on the use of foldscope as a novel approach in diagnostics by Dr. C.K. Singh, Sr. Vety. Pathologist & Head, Dept. of Veterinary Pathology.
Dr. Geeta Mehra, Head, Dept. of Food Science, MCM DAV College For Women, Chandigarh, also the Resource Person for the workshop, spoke on “ Reinventing Scientific Temperament using Foldscope as a tool in which she explained comprehensively the multidisciplinary use of foldscope in various fields including the field of food Science and Technology.
The Practical session was conducted by Dr. Rashmi Sagar, Dr. Paramjit Kaur, Dr. Vishal Mahajan and Dr. M. S. Bal in which hands-on training regarding Assembly, Functioning and Application of the foldscope for diagnosis of parasitic diseases was given to the participants.
Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director of Research, GADVASU was invited as the guest of honour for the valedictory function. Dr. Gill commended the efforts for the successful completion of the workshop and suggested that the research projects involving such workshops should be encouraged as the outcome of such research helps in dissemination of the knowledge in the field areas.
