Union Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal has said that the next financial year will be the year of building new institutions and strengthening some of the existing ones to world class standard in the area of biotechnology. Addressing a gathering at the foundation day function of Biotechnology Department on 15 th March 2006, he summed up the proposals to make India a biotechnology power in future. These include establishment of a centre for translational research in health science at Faridabad which will develop new vaccines, futuristic diagnostics and biological drugs, establish an incubator for development of products, and build capacity for running academic programmes of Masters in translational research and clinical sciences and MD/Ph.D for physician scientists.

Shri Sibal said a UNESCO Centre for teaching and training in biotechnology will be set-up that will cater to the needs of the Asian region.

The Centre, on the request of Government of Kerala, has proposed to take over Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram and raise it to world-class standards with state of the art facilities for biotechnology research.

It is also proposed to strengthen the Seri Biotechnology activities of the Central Silk Board and raise it as an independent centre for research and development in this economically important sector.

The Minister said that the Government is keen to set up a single Biotechnology Regulatory Authority for clearing biotech products. A committee of secretaries has been constituted to work out modalities for creation of the Authority and rationalization of the legislative and regulatory regime.

There is also a proposal to award 25 special overseas fellowships for students doing research in stem cell technology and nano biotechnology.

The Ministry of Science & Technology plans to support 20 undergraduate colleges across the country, one per state, for high quality teaching in life sciences besides awarding 1000 undergraduate scholarships for meritorious students from economically weaker sections to pursue career in life sciences.

Shri Sibal said that international collaboration programme has been reviewed and his Ministry would like to build strategic partnerships. A major programme for animal vaccines and immuno-stimulants for aquaculture has been firmed up with the Government of Norway. A strategic collaborative agreement has been signed this month with Australia for collaboration in biotechnology. The Ministry has also entered into strategic partnership agreement with Denmark in the area of agriculture and food biotechnology, with United Kingdom in frontiers of Biology and with Finland in Diagnostics.

The Minister also gave away awards in different categories to young scientists and students.

(www.indiaprwire.com)