A five days International Workshop on “Genome Editing for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability” started today at
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana in collaboration with McGill University, Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Canada and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
Dr RS Sethi, Additional Director, Research, GADVASU and convener of the workshop informed that Dr. J.P.S Gill, Coordinator of the workshop and Director of Research, GADVASU welcomed the delegates and participants from different universities. Dr Gill mentioned that 120 participants from several organizations have registered. Dr. Jaswinder Singh, Director, Genome Editing for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability (GEFSES), McGill University told that GADVASU and PAU are the key international partners in this program. Dr. AS Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU mentioned about the ongoing challenges related to the climate change and food security. Dr. Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan, Canada was the 
Guest of Honour of this event. He emphasised the need of collaboration and team work to fix ongoing complex global issues. Mr. Patrick Hébert, Consul General of Canada was the Chief Guest of this event. He mentioned that the role played by PAU and GADVASU as the stakeholders of this program is commendable. Other international delegates attending this workshop include Dr. Sharon Regan, Dr. Werner Glanzner, Dr. Saji George, Dr Karuna Kapoor, Nguy?n Ng?c Sáng, Roshanne Sihota and Luc Anthony Ouellette.
Inaugural session was concluded by Dr. R. S. Sethi. He thanked all the dignitaries, participants, organizing team as well as co-conveners. He also acknowledged Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU and Chief Patron of this workshop for his kind support to organize this event. 
Inaugural session was followed by key note addresses by Dr. Baljit Singh, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Werner Glanzner, McGill University. In the afternoon session, a hands-on training on “Gene editing: What, Where, When and Why?” was conducted by Dr Werner Glanzner, Dr Raj Duggavathi, co-coordinator ,Dr. Parveen Chhuneja Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU, Dr RS Sethi and Dr YPS Malik, Dean, College of Animal Biotechnology . The workshop will conclude on March 1. It will cover interactive sessions as well as hands on training modules in the coming days.
