The four-day International Symposium on Genome Editing for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability (GEFSES), concluded at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana with a renewed commitment to strengthening 
international research collaborations and translating scientific innovations into practical solutions for food security and environmental sustainability.
The seminar featured eminent national and international experts, including Dr Stanford Blade, DDG–Research and Innovation, ICRISAT; Dr Manish K. Chatli, Director, ICAR-CIRG; Dr Jay Wilson, University of Saskatchewan, Canada; Dr Kanwarpal S. Dhugga, Former Principal Scientist, CIMMYT, Mexico; Dr Simone Susanne Lipinski, Professor, Hannover, Germany; Dr Girdhar Kumar Pandey, Professor and Head, University of Delhi and experts from McGill University including Dr Mark Lefsrud, Professor; Dr Karina Gutierrez; Dr Mehtab Singh.
The experts delivered insightful t
alks on emerging advances in genome editing, biotechnology and their applications in agriculture, livestock development and sustainable food production.
Dr JPS Gill, Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the critical importance of food security in ensuring human well-being, sustainable development and global prosperity. In this context, a 'Run for Food Security' was organised as part of the symposium to sensitise participants, particularly youth, and the wider community about the importance of ensuring adequate, safe and sustainable food for all.
Dr R S Sethi, Dean, College of Animal Biotechnology and Organizing Secretary informed that the symposium provided an important platform for interaction among scientists, academicians and young researchers from India and abroad. Further 
A Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition was also organised, providing young researchers an opportunity to present their research in a concise and engaging manner. Mr Rishabh Shukla secured the first prize, Ms Navdeep Kaur Dhiman won the second prize, while Dr Tarandeep Kaur and Ms Piyali Das bagged the third prize.
Dr Jaswinder Singh, Director, GEFSES, McGill University, Canada said that the symposium concluded with a call for sustained global collaboration to advance genome-editing research and transform scientific discoveries into impactful technologies for a sustainable and food-secure future.
Dr Raj Duggavathi, Chair, Animal Science, McGill University, Canada, extended the vote of thanks and acknowledged the contributions of participating experts, partner institutions, delegates, organisers and students in making the international symposium a success.
