The Second South Asian Symposium on Microbial Ecology brought together nearly 200 senior, mid and early-career microbial ecologists from different countries of South Asia and beyond.

Scientists and students representing eleven countries participated in the international symposium and 130 scientific research papers including seven plenary and 13 invited talks were presented, organisers said.

During the symposium, three capacity-building workshops, women scientists’ session and industry–academy panel discussion workshops were also organised.

The key objective of the symposium included the promotion of early career researchers and young students building their research capacity and celebrating the achievements of under-represented researchers, including women scientists in the field, according to organisers.

The three-day event organised by Microbial Ecology Network – Nepal and Tribhuvan University was inaugurated by Minister for Education, Science and Technology Ashok Kumar Rai at Himalaya Drishya Hotel on November 1.