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STAFF WRITERThe Department of Bioengineering organized a Special Invited Talk on Bioethics Awareness with the theme %u201cHealthcare Research Ethics: Challenges and Responsibilities for Biotechnologists%u201d on 4 September 2025 at G.N. Ramachandran Hall, Bioengineering Block. The event was designed to sensitize students to the ethical challenges in biotechnology research and emphasizing their professional responsibilities.The first expert lecture by Dr. Sangeetha Raja focused on the History of Research Ethics and Key Milestones, highlighting the evolution of ethical frameworks such as the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki. This was followed by Dr. Manonmoney J, who SARYU YERRAThe modern media landscape is a labyrinth of shifting narratives, digital disruptions, and historical barriers. Yet, on the afternoon of March 6th, 2026, that labyrinth felt entirely navigable.Under the banner of the ambitious Media Minds campaign, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at SRM Institute of Science and Technology hosted the %u201cWomen in Media%u201d panel discussion. Far from a standard academic seminar, the event unfolded as a profound exploration of what it takes to survive, thrive, and lead in a historically maledominated industry. It was an afternoon that transformed the lecture hall into a vibrant incubator for critical thinking, media literacy, and unapologetic empowerment.Rather than a parade of credentials, the hosts framed the conversation as a chance to map the everyday realities of the newsroom, the corporate desk, and the marketing room %u2014 places where stories are made, and sometimes where stories about women are still told badly. At the centre of that map were the panelists: Muskaan Ahmed, Rajalakshmi Sampath, Divya Sridhar, and Akshara Simhadri %u2014 four different pathways through the same, frequently rocky terrain.What made the afternoon feel less like a staged lecture and more like mentoring-inpublic was the way the panelists told small stories,Those micro-moments revealed the scaffolding beneath any career %u2014 relationships, reputations, and the steady accumulation of choices %u2014 and they showed students that success rarely arrives fully formed. Instead, it is assembled, often from surprising pieces.Through a brilliantly moderated dialogue, these four women laid bare the realities of their respective fields. They didn%u2019t just share success stories; they shared the blueprints of their careers.The conversation provided a fascinating learning experience, navigating topics from the sheer grit required to break into the industry, to the absolute necessity of diverse voices in ensuring accurate, objective storytelling.A recurring thread was the negotiation of voice and vulnerability. The alumni spoke not only about techniques %u2014 sourcing, headline craft, campaign metrics %u2014 but about the emotional work of being visible. In features and crime reporting, for instance, sourcing wasn%u2019t just a technical chore; it was an ethical tightrope that required sensitivity and courage. In product marketing and corporate communications, visibility took a different shape: it was the politics of positioning, of deciding which narratives to lift and which to leave in the background. Across sectors, the speakers emphasised one point again and again: diversity of perspective isn%u2019t a buzzword, it%u2019s quality control for truth.As the vibrant discussions naturally wound down, the atmosphere shifted to one of profound gratitude. A facilitation program was held to honor the four guest speakers, recognizing not only their exceptional, ongoing contributions to the media industry but also their willingness to look back and pull the next generation forward.The closing ceremony served as a perfect bookend to the day. As the alumni were felicitated, the enduring impact of women in the communications sector was palpable in the room. The %u201cWomen in Media%u201d panel did more than just impart knowledge; it brought an academic community together, leaving both students and faculty inspired to challenge the status quo and write their own headlines.Bioethics Awareness Talk on Healthcare Research Ethics for BiotechnologistsWomen in Media %u2014 Shattering the Glass CeilingThe event witnessed the active participation of 327 students, along with faculty members who supported the interactive activitiesThe event unfolded as a profound exploration of what it takes to survive, thrive, and lead in a historically maledominated industry. spoke on National and International Guidelines for Biotechnology Research, outlining key regulations from ICMR, DBT, WHO, and UNESCO that ensure credibility, safety, and social responsibility.Following the expert talks, students were divided into groups and provided with real-life case studies addressing complex ethical dilemmas in biotechnology. Each group was given ten minutes to deliberate, analyse the scenarios, and prepare their perspectives. The group presentations were followed by a lively discussion with the experts, who guided students in evaluating the ethical dimensions and offered constructive feedback. The event witnessed the active participation of 327 students, along with faculty members who supported the interactive activities. The program concluded with a post-test, feedback collection, and a token of appreciation to the speakers by the Head, Department of Biotechnology. The Department expresses gratitude to the resource persons, SRM Management, faculty, student volunteers, and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication for their media support. The session successfully achieved its objectives and emphasized the vital role of ethics in biotechnology and research integrity.2026 | Spectrum | Volume 19 Number 2 33