The Indian Department of Biotechnology is implementing a program to expand and strengthen the institutional research capacity, for promotion of excellence in interdisciplinary science and innovation in specific areas of biotechnology, through the support for the founding of a Center of Excellence in Biotechnology.

According to reports, the program provides flexible long-term support for highly novel research both basic and translational in nature in biotechnology. It is reported that DBT has planned to establish 50 such Centers of Excellence in Biotechnology in India. Up to now, 15 Centers have been supported, covering healthcare, bioinformatics, agriculture and other basic research in biotechnology.

According to the official press release, these Centers have been established in the states of Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadou and Maharashtra. The Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development has also started an offer for establishment of 50 Centers for Training and Research in the frontier areas of Science and Technology. The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization has established Centers of Excellence at Bharathiar University, Coimbatore; University of Hyderabad; Calcutta University; National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore; Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai and IIT, Mumbai. The establishment Center of Excellence at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata is under progress.

Indian government officials said that these Centers are expected to make stronger an institution’s research infrastructure along with developing and enhancing the research ability of the faculty in a specific thematic area of research.

CoE are expected to produce not only high-quality publications and intellectual property but also translational production through high end innovation.

**********************************************

The Views and Opinions Expressed by the author are his or her opinions only and do not necessarily reflect those of this Web-Site or its agents, affiliates, officers, directors, staff, or contractors. The author at the time of this article did not own any shares or receive any consideration financial or otherwise from any company or person mentioned or referred to in the article.