January 03, 2002

    Full-fledged Departments of Biotechnology with undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated and Doctoral programmes, are to be set up in all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Special funding will be provided to these institutions during the 10^th Five Year Plan for the purpose. Central facilities shall be established in these institutions for use by all of them. Apart from the IITs, IISC Bangalore, IIIT Allahabad, IIITM Gwalior and select RECs that have potential would also be included under this initiative.

    Besides, a separate module on Biotechnology is also to be integrated with the school curriculum. Department of Bio-technology, Ministry of Science and Technology would provide outline of this module so that the NCERT/the Boards of School Education could be advised accordingly. Similarly, DBT-UGC Task Force would be advised to integrate biotechnology in the curriculum of all undergraduate programmes.

    The AICTE has also been advised to encourage institutions to take up programmes in bio-technology without, however, compromising on the infrastructure requirements. AICTE has so far approved B. Tech Programmes in Biotechnology in eight engineering colleges. AICTE has also been advised to develop a model curriculum for undergraduate programme in biotechnology.

    With the blurring of the distinction between the Biological and Physical Sciences, a need for review of the system of admission in engineering programmes, particularly in disciplines like biotechnology, bio-chemical engineering and chemical engineering etc. has been felt. A need for re-orientation of pharmacy education in the country has also been felt keeping in view the recent advances in biotechnology. Accordingly AICTE has been advised to set up an Experts Group to look into pharmacy education and also overall promotion of Bio-Technology Education and Research in Technical Institutions in the country.

    Basically, a special thrust is to be given to education and research in biotechnology in premier institutions of the country to provide a competitive edge to the country. This was decided in a recent meeting held in the Ministry to gear up education and training system in the country to meet manpower requirement and for promotion of education and research in this emerging area.