Gujarat to set up India’s first biotechnology university

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India's first Biotechnology University will take shape in Gujarat with the State legislative assembly set to pass a Bill for establishment of the country’s first such university. It will aim to boost research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector.

The Gujarat Biotechnology University, to be made a world class research-focused academic institution, will train and prepare biotech scientists in product-focused research to create and deliver a strong pipeline of innovative products for the country.

The University will have world-class infrastructure, an intellectual property base and skill sets for education, training, research, product development and technology commercialisation in biotechnology and allied sciences.

The Bill for the new university provides a framework to facilitate intellectual property and matters related to technology commercialisation for product pipelines. It will also identify key issues and solutions by means of biotechnology and develop manpower with the knowledge and skills to meet industry needs.

Advisory council

The act of the University has provisions to form an Advisory Council, for necessary directions on strategic changes, including its education system, research system and linkages to industries and with top ranking institutions abroad. This is aimed at making the university match global standards.

Before coming out with a Bill for a dedicated university in biotechnology, the State government conducted a survey of more than 600 students. It was found from the survey that there is a need for practice-based curriculum for the students in advanced biotechnology tools and techniques.

For conceptualising such research-based and product-focused curriculum faculties, scientists of national and international repute were consulted, a State government statement said here.

In order to create a strong Biotechnology ecosystem in the State, the government has established the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre and The Savli Technology and Business Incubator.

These organisations already work towards accelerating research, human resource development, policy based start-up and entrepreneurship in the State, providing momentum to the biotechnology sector.

Source; BL