Srinagar : The University of Kashmir (KU) has achieved a notable milestone with Dr. Riffat John from the Department of Botany receiving a major research grant under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Dr. John’s project, titled “Unstructured but Essential: Understanding and Exploiting Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Climate-Resilient Maize,” has been approved by the SPARC Apex Committee, highlighting the project’s significance in the Agri and Food Technologies domain. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan praised Dr. John’s accomplishment, emphasizing that the award signifies KU’s expanding research influence and commitment to international collaborations. She noted that such initiatives enhance interdisciplinary research and address specific agricultural and climate challenges in the region. Dean Research Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat also acknowledged the competitive nature of securing a SPARC grant, which underscores the quality and global relevance of the research conducted at KU. The two-year project involves collaboration with The Pennsylvania State University, USA, and the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) in Ludhiana. It aims to enhance the understanding of maize resilience to cold and low
