<p>According to Karnataka Biotechnology Vision Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw the government’s move to provide biotechnology sector a fillip through BT parks has hit roadblock weighed down by procedural requirements.<br /><br />Shaw lamented that several governmental issues are acting as pinpricks in the selection of preferred contractors to kick-off the parks. “We are still hopeful it will take off soon. Tendering process for third time is on. We hope it will be third time lucky,” she added. <br /><br />Addressing a workshop on Millennium Biotech Policy - II, Shaw said even the incubtion centre, which along with BT parks, was part of earlier policy, have not borne desired results. “While the incubation centre has begun, we, however, do need a development partner for BT park,” she added. <br /><br />Stating that integrated biotech clusters such as agri-biotech, industrial biotech etc., are need of the hour, Shaw said it is proposed to extend clusters concept State-wise to other cities such as Manipal following initiatives in Mysore, Dharwad and Mangalore taken up on public-private partnership basis. <br /><br />Pointing out that revised and modified Millennium Biotech Policy - II was brought out to address the needs of the sector in skill and capacity building, she said the focus is on BT education and making young people employable, as part of which BT finishing schools was conceived. <br /><br />Stating that this was academia-industry initiative, Shaw said 12 biotechnology finishing schools are proposed as part of skill building programme as also increasing capacity of employable youth in the State in the sector. A Masters Programme in Bioinformatics would begin soon, she added. <br /><br />Shaw also stressed the need to encourage innovation in bio technology by providing fillip to innovative entrepreneurnial initiatives through VC funding and other support. State IT, BT & S&T Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli initiated the proceedings with his opening remarks. <br /></p>
<p>According to Karnataka Biotechnology Vision Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw the government’s move to provide biotechnology sector a fillip through BT parks has hit roadblock weighed down by procedural requirements.<br /><br />Shaw lamented that several governmental issues are acting as pinpricks in the selection of preferred contractors to kick-off the parks. “We are still hopeful it will take off soon. Tendering process for third time is on. We hope it will be third time lucky,” she added. <br /><br />Addressing a workshop on Millennium Biotech Policy - II, Shaw said even the incubtion centre, which along with BT parks, was part of earlier policy, have not borne desired results. “While the incubation centre has begun, we, however, do need a development partner for BT park,” she added. <br /><br />Stating that integrated biotech clusters such as agri-biotech, industrial biotech etc., are need of the hour, Shaw said it is proposed to extend clusters concept State-wise to other cities such as Manipal following initiatives in Mysore, Dharwad and Mangalore taken up on public-private partnership basis. <br /><br />Pointing out that revised and modified Millennium Biotech Policy - II was brought out to address the needs of the sector in skill and capacity building, she said the focus is on BT education and making young people employable, as part of which BT finishing schools was conceived. <br /><br />Stating that this was academia-industry initiative, Shaw said 12 biotechnology finishing schools are proposed as part of skill building programme as also increasing capacity of employable youth in the State in the sector. A Masters Programme in Bioinformatics would begin soon, she added. <br /><br />Shaw also stressed the need to encourage innovation in bio technology by providing fillip to innovative entrepreneurnial initiatives through VC funding and other support. State IT, BT & S&T Principal Secretary Ashok Kumar Manoli initiated the proceedings with his opening remarks. <br /></p>
