PPP model to promote BT sector planned

"A public private partnership (PPP) model for industry-academia linkage in the biotech sector is expected to be in place in two years," M K Bhan, secretary, Union department of biotechnology, told BangaloreBio-2008 here on Thursday."

A new phase of international partnership with India has also begun. "All these years project funds were from US and European countries. But now, funds from other countries like Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have started flowing. In many instances countries are competing and pitching for the same projects," Dr Bhan added.

Biotech has also been getting increasing budgetary support. "Ever since the sector got sunrise status, the sector has received the fastest budgetary increase three years running," he said.

 

As for the research and development, the biotech sector is increasingly being looked at as a potential source by many sectors.

"This is exciting and humbling. It is here the government is mulling setting up of a 'centre for public policy'. This will take care of public issues at society and community level. This initiative will also lay the foundation for science teaching, facilitating discovery and push for innovation at university and institute level," he added.

Talking about the significant foundation being laid to strengthen life science education, Dr Bhan said, "Government plans to identify and fund 16 national universities and 13 research institutions backed by significant budgetary allocation as part of the 'March back to university' initiative."

Through this 'March back to university' initiative a systematic review of educational institutions is also planned.