As we enter a new decade 2010, with the industry showing revival from the global economic downturn, the biotechnology sector is set to grow as one the fastest growing knowledge-based sectors in India. The industry grew at 18 per cent during 2008-09 with earning revenues of US$ 2.67 billion. At present Indian biotechnology sector holds merely two per cent share of the global market. However, due to the numerous comparative advantages like good research and development facilities, knowledge pool, skills, upcoming foreign universities and cost effectiveness, the Indian biotechnology industry has immense potential to emerge as a biotech hub.
Biotechnology education in India
The field of biotechnology is research oriented and needs a lot more than knowledge, skills and infrastructure. The key characteristics needed for a biotechnologist are high level of intelligence, ability to concentrate for long work hours, a questioning mind, determination, imaginative skills, impartiality and most importantly inventiveness.
There are certain entry level as well as advanced level biotechnology courses available in India. Students with science background; especially with physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics subjects; are eligible to enter in the field of biotechnology.
The undergraduate courses available are B. Sc. Biotechnology, B. Tech Biotechnology, and B. Tech Industrial Biotechnology. Post graduation courses such as M. Tech Integrated Biotechnology (5 yrs program); M. Tech in Biotechnology / Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology; M. Sc. Biotechnology / Agriculture Biotechnology / Molecular Biology & Biotechnology / Marine Biotechnology; M. V. Sc. Animal Biotechnology; M. Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; M. E. Biotechnology; Medical Biotechnology (PG course); Masters in Biotechnology are available for advanced studies through different entrance examinations.
The Ph.D. and post-doctoral research in biotechnology are also available for specialized studies which provide a pool of eminent scientists for the field.
The B. Sc. in biotechnology stream is more focused towards biologic organisms and their functions with greater emphasis on laboratory work excellence whereas B. Tech in biotechnology course is more focused towards technologic advancements for industrial production from biologic organisms with greater emphasis on engineering skills excellence.
Unique programs such as M. E. Biotechnology from BITS emphasizes on technological as well as mathematical excellence for development of newer techniques for high industrial productivity and M. Pharmacy in pharmaceutical biotechnology from a few pharmaceutical research institutions have focus on therapeutic excellence for biologic medicines advancements with greater emphasis on laboratory skills and therapy developments.
Premier biotechnology institutions in India
Some of the premier biotechnology institutions in India are School of Life Sciences at University of Hyderabad, School of Biotechnology at JNU, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, School of Biotechnology at BHU, School of Chemical and Biotechnology at Sastra University, Manipal University, BITS Pilani, Department of Biotechnology at SRM University, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Jaypee University of Information Technology, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Oxford College of Science, and PES Institute of Technology.
Biotechnology industrial training programmes
Numerous Industrial Training Programs which helps candidates to improve the skills and avail opportunities in the field are available from Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL) and other biotech industries. Training areas such as Intellectual Property Rights(IPRs), Technology Transfer, Bio-enterprise/ Management in Biotechnology, Platform Technologies, Bio-safety, Bioethics, Process Development and Up-scaling, Good Manufacturing Practices & Good Laboratory Practices, Nanotechnology, Implants and Devices, Vaccine Development, Stem Cell Biology, Genetic engineering are in high demand with greater potential for employment opportunities.
Career options for biotechnology graduates
Indian biotechnology sector has a tremendous employment potential. According to a survey conducted by Ernst & Young, Asia is set to become a hot destination for biotechnology related research and development and India would emerge as a potential hub with huge expansion in the biotechnology sector.
As there is increasing popularity and explosive industrial growth, there are plenty of opportunities available in biotechnology field in India. A biotechnologist can pursue his/her career in different sectors as research scientist, lecturer, marketing manager, scientific writer, bioinformatician, quality control officer, production in-charge in pharmaceutical, FMCG, chemical industry, analyst, environmental / safety specialist.
A graduate in biotechnology can also pursue his/her career in government sectors such as universities & colleges, defence organizations, research institutes, and private centres (as research scientists / assistants).
The recent market trends and fast developments in the field of knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and clinical research have provided newer job opportunities to fresh graduates. The students with biotech background with a professional training in these new areas can start a rewarding career.
Scope of biotechnology:
From the production of naturally occurring therapeutic molecules to recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering products , biotechnology field has developed significantly during the past two to three decades. Multiple innovative and advanced areas with huge potential to work within have emerged.
Moreover, the futuristic entry of foreign universities with advanced courses in biotechnology would play a catalyst role in the growth of Indian biotechnology field. Different advanced sectors such as genetics, genomics, pharmacogenomics, proteomics, molecular biology, genetic engineering, cellular biology, tissue engineering, stem cell technology, bio-robotics, and nanotechnology are entering into the market and would be available to provide apex knowledge and enormous scope of opportunities in the field.
The production of BT Brinjal, Golden Rice, and BT Cotton has expanded the scope of biotechnology in agriculture sciences to far beyond the imagination.
India has great potential to become a leading global player in biotechnology due to its huge base of talented, skilled & cost-competitive manpower, well-developed and constantly improving scientific infrastructure.
The author is Chief Operating Officer,D2L Pharma Research Solutions, Bangalore