Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s commitment to providing quality and affordable education for all took shape in 1965 when it opened its door to education in pure sciences at the riverfront of sacred Sabarmati Riverin Ahmedabad. Since then, the Department of Botany has stood at the forefront of both teaching and research in plant sciences, offering comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Guided by distinguished scientists such as Dr. V.M. Sukkawala, Prof. A.K. Naik, Dr. P.B. Shah, and Dr. H.N. Frank, the department has thrived, instilling in students a deep passion for the subject and facilitating their achievement of gold medals from Gujarat University. Currently it offers a BSc in Botany (MAJOR) as well as a subject to Minor and Multi discipline courses. These courses cover a wide range of subjects, including the diversity of plants, genetics, ecology, biochemistry, biotechnology and other related fields thereby preparing students for employment opportunities in research, educational institutes and agriculture.
The department boosts of a range of facilities including two well-equipped laboratories, and a botanical garden which conserves endangered species. The departmental library is equipped with books, rare manuscripts and Journals. The museum housesa rich diversity of plants. A well organised Herbarium is also maintained by the department. Notably a minor research project in the area of environmental pollution has also been granted to the department by UGC.
With the implementation of National Education Policy 2020, the Department is well-prepared to execute its mandates. The Department boosts a rich amalgamation of highly experienced, enthusiastic and energetic teachers. Senior faculty members are an integral part of academic and administrative bodies of Gujarat University. Each faculty member has published research papers in reputed journals and has participated in several workshops and conferences. They employ an engaging pedagogical approach to teaching, incorporating regular tests and assignments to assess student’s academic progress. Field visits are an integral part of the curriculum, allowing students to learn about the natural habit and habitat of diverse group of plants. The department guides the students in the preparation of various reports and projects. The students enrolled in BSc (H) Botany program come from diverse socioeconomic background and the faculty endeavours to make them comfortable in their undergraduate learning journey while preparing them for their future careers. The vision of the department is to foster a community of scholars who have deep understanding of the sustainable utilization of the plant resources for the betterment of humanity and planet.