special report
The project aims to demonstrate a novel holistic( waste-) water management approach, that will produce clean water that can be reused for various proposes( e. g. industry, agriculture, construction etc.), while simultaneously recovering nutrients and energy from the urban waste water, thus converting drain into profitable mines.
HUMAN RESOURCE AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Teaching & training in biotech: Under, Star College Program, 92 colleges supported and 10 colleges accorded star status. 1600 personnel trained under UG, PG training courses. 2000 candidates provided training in biotech industries under BITP
The Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship was conceived with the idea of encouraging Indian scientists working outside the country( Indian Nationals), and who would like to come back home and pursue their research interests in life sciences and biotechnology and other related areas. During the last six years 247 overseas scientists were selected and 173 have already returned and joined various research institutes / universities 27 scientists are likely to join in next six months. 50 scientists are selected every year. This has enriched the scientific pool of the country.
Skill Development in NER:
Twinning Programme: The goal of this programme is to strengthen R & D activity in the North East India through joint collaborations. Financial assistance is provided to competitive R & D projects from scientists in the North Eastern States in collaboration with scientists from national institutions from other parts of the country.
The programme has supported nearly 400 R & D projects, leading to more than 200 papers published in peer
reviewed journals, and more than 450 young scientists of NER trained in advanced biotechnology. Every year approximately 70-80 projects under this flagship programme are being supported to NER.
• Setting up of“ DBT-NER Centre for Advanced Animal Diagnostics and Services on Animal Health and Diseases( ADSAHD)” involving stake holders from all NER States including national laboratories from Bhopal, Bangalore and Hissar.
• Establishment of Unit of Excellence in Biotechnology( U-Excel) with a view to recognize promising mid-career scientists in NER, this has been initiated to enable them to
pursue their innovative research in frontier areas of biotechnology. So far, 12 units of excellence have been established during the year.
• Overseas Associateship for NER Scientists: This scheme aims to promote capacity building in cutting edge areas of biotechnology and life sciences. As of now more than 110 scientists have availed this associate ship.
INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Under the DBT, for a well-defined Innovation Ecosystem for product development- a Public Sector undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council( BIRAC)
14
BioVoiceNews | December 2016- January 2017