Cactus Communications (CACTUS), a leading science communication and technology company, conducted a hands-on workshop on scientific writing for the science students at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. The workshop aimed to equip budding researchers with essential skills in science communication, including technical writing, to enhance their academic and professional pursuits.
There has been a notable governmental emphasis on upskilling efforts, particularly in the field of science writing. For CACTUS, collaborating with esteemed educational partners like the Institute of Science, BHU represented a pivotal step towards introducing structured training sessions to university campuses. The partnership aimed at bridging the learning and skilling gap by empowering the PhD scholars and post docs with the required nuances of scientific writing.
Abhishek Goel, Co-Founder & CEO, Cactus Communications stated, “At CACTUS, we firmly believe that closing the learning and skill gap among researchers will be instrumental in positioning India prominently on the global research stage. Our aim is to provide continuous training and upskilling initiatives customized for students, postdocs, emerging scientists, and researchers. BHU’s initiative in facilitating structured training sessions for their students aligns perfectly with our mission of empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. We are thrilled to collaborate with BHU, recognizing their proactive approach in enhancing the skill sets of their students.”
The two day workshop was conducted on 25th and 26th April at Institute of Science, BHU, by professional experts from CACTUS. It covered various aspects of scientific writing, including research paper structure, effective communication of research findings, manuscript preparation, and publication strategies. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, PhD scholars and post docs were provided with hands-on experience and guidance to augment their scientific writing skills.
Cactus Communications firmly supports the consistent hosting of skilling workshops across academic institutions, advocating for broader access to skill-building opportunities in science communication. The firm’s commitment to excellence, along with extensive experience in supporting researchers, positions it as the ideal collaborator for academic institutions seeking to improve their students’ skills in science communication and technical writing.
Here are some of the participant testimonials sharing their experience of attending the workshop.
- It was a wholesome experience for me. I got to learn many nitty gritties of scientific writing from the very best experts in this field…She (Dr. Shilpi) taught us about the power of science communication and how much important it is. She also taught us about how to write popular science article which can entertain people even from non scientific background. She also made us aware about the importance of social media while communicating our science and the impact it has on our research…Dr. Smita’s session on “navigating career choices” made a huge impact on the way I used to perceive many things such as career, self reflection and self confidence.
- The importance of revising/learning grammar and practicing writing regularly was stressed. They also shared tips to navigate through a writer’s block and how to manage time. Besides the traditional approaches, the speakers also touched upon the correct usage of AI and several other online tools. The technological advancements are not the replacement of traditional knowledge but only an assistance was reiterated in all the lectures…Jazz hands for all the speakers
- A huge thanks and jazz hands 🙌🏻 to organiser of this workshop as it was an eye opener or self realization of our common mistakes that I had done in the past and we got the solution of same. From the lectures our esteemed presenters and the senior professors, our knowledge has raise in terms of writing paper (prephase), writing of discussion, use of AI tools, press report writing and ethics of the same…We like to thank the cactus also for sending their trainers here 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Kudos to the entire team for successful collaboration with BHU, an institute of eminence!