The symposium aims to:

1) Bring together select eminent ciliate biologist from different countries to exchange views and enlighten the participants about research work in this field.
2)Provide a platform where research scientists will interact with undergraduate and postgraduate students to generate their interest in this vast untapped field in the Indian context.
3)Use ciliates as substitutes to higher animals in classroom exercises for studies at cellular level. These cells provide a very simple and inexpensive system.
4)Bring awareness amongst Indian scientists that this group of organisms is in direct contact with the environment and can be used as bio-indicators of pollution.
5)Develop emphasis among biology teachers that there is a definite necessity to impart practical training in ciliate biology in the teaching curriculum at BSc and MSc levels.

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