VISA Episode # 20 | A Report

VISA – Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad

20th Edition Report

Date: 21st August 2025

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Organised by: Office of International Programmes, Madras Christian College

 The 20th edition of the Virtual Interaction with Scholars Abroad (VISA) series, organised by the Office of International Programmes, Madras Christian College, was held on the 21st of August 2025, at 7:00 PM IST.

 The session started with the college prayer led by the MC, Ms. Shrestha, Intern at the Office of International Programmes, MCC. This was followed by the Welcome Address delivered by Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of the Office of International Programmes. The speaker was introduced by Prof. Arun Kumar Joseph, Associate Dean of International Programmes (Aided).

 The guest speaker of the event was Mr. Darshan S. N., who just graduated with a Master’s in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries from the University of Plymouth, UK. He is an alumnus of the Department of Zoology (Vocational), Madras Christian College (Batch of 2016–2019).

 In his address, Mr. Darshan reflected on the influence of Madras Christian College on his academic and personal journey, citing his active participation in academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular engagements. He also shared his entrepreneurial initiative in customised string art, which led to a collaboration with Funskool.

The speaker then outlined the significance of his gap year (2022–2023), during which he combined his academic foundation, got laboratory and soft skills, and explored aquaculture specialisations. He went ahead to describe the process of applying for a UK student visa and his subsequent enrolment in the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries programme at the University of Plymouth. His research focused on genotoxicity in Rainbow trout gut cell lines.

The session further included his professional placement at Landcatch Natural Selection Ltd, a salmon hatchery, his eventual transition to full- time employment and a recent promotion was shared.

The presentation was followed by a Question-and-Answer session, during which the speaker responded to queries about using Artificial Intelligence efficiently in his assignments, the value of his gap year, and comparative aquaculture practices between India and the UK. He also addressed challenges faced as a postgraduate scholar abroad and shared approaches for adaptation.

 The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by the MC, Ms. Shrestha.