The Indian Institute of Biotechnology (IIBT) in collaboration with United States Pharmacopoeia India (USP) and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) have finally completed the drafting of a compact curriculum for providing a comprehensive ‘Biotechnology Industry Orientation Programme' here in Hyderabad.

A panel of experts having rich industry and academic experience was formed to draft the final curriculum. According to Dr K Srinivas Rao, managing director, IIBT, the main content of the curriculum has been taken from North Carolina State University in America. In fact the programme was supposed to be launched from April 2012, but due to unavoidable circumstances it will be scheduled very soon probably by next month, informed the managing director.

As India has become the most favoured destination for the American and other western countries to invest in drug manufacturing, research and imports of biotechnology and pharmaceutical products, it is high time for the Indian pharma and biotechnology curriculum to be compatible with the American standards, which is accepted worldwide. Taking this into consideration the premier institutes in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals have collaborated together along with American universities to provide a comprehensive programme to enlighten our professionals with the international standards of the industry.

“As most of the Indian biotechnology and pharmaceutical products are exported to United States and other western countries, we want our professionals to be thorough with the American curriculum. The American system of education has incorporated advanced techniques in research and manufacture in their curriculum. Therefore we are conducting ‘the biotechnology industry orientation programme’ to provide advanced training for students and new recruits in the industry to have a better understanding of the intricacies of bio-pharma industry including characterization of bio-molecules,” said the managing director.

The preparatory training course includes class room instructions and it is also expected to provide hands on experience for the participants. The orientation program is also designed to provide demonstration of the important instruments used in the industry.

The programme is also expected to enhance technical as well as the soft skills of the students. This will give the aspiring professionals an opportunity to grab jobs in pharma and biotechnology industry in India and abroad as well. The consortium is also having plans to launch “the pharmaceutical industry orientation programme” in near future.