Development of Biotechnology

Biotechnology, the cutting edge technology with the potential to revolutionize many facets of Industrial, agricultural and medical practices, is perceived as a major vehicle for socio-economic development through application and use of biological agents and materials in the production of appropriate goods and services.

Vision

To emerge as a world class centre of biotechnology education, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, product development and manufacturing and to create positive economic spill over as well as health, environmental and social benefits.

Mission

• Build a holistic Biotechnology ecosystem in Odisha to enable the State to become one of the top biotech innovation and investment destinations in the country.
• Create a vibrant bio-entrepreneurial culture in academia and research institutions.
• Provide support for product development by biotech start-ups and MSMEs.
• Create a conducive environment for biotech manufacturing across several areas such as vaccines, medical devices, agriculture and industrial research.
• Provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives in a transparent and time bound manner.
• Streamlines rules, regulations and legislations to create an innovation friendly environment.
• Implement a supportive regulatory framework and robust governance structure that enables hassle-free, time bound statutory clearances and monitoring of this policy.

Objectives

• Prioritising the thrust areas for basic as well as applied research and technology development with industry-academia-social interface.
• Promoting innovation in R & D by encouraging public-private partnership (PPP) for R & D for sustained growth and international competitiveness.
• Establish regional biotechnology parks, bio-clusters, thematic biotechnology parks in the priority basis like agriculture, animal husbandry, human health & marine biotech.
• Establish translational research centres, establish dedicated institutes/strengthen existing facilities for bioinformatics, bio-similar, applied biotechnology, bioengineering, system biology & genomics etc.
• Support establishment of bio-incubation centres and technology business centres.
• Support finishing schools for development of industry-ready skilled human resource in various areas of Biotechnology.
• Capacity building on intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Bio-safely.
• Establish Immersion Fellowships, Innovation Grants, Equity Seed Funds etc.
• Create a conducive business ecosystem, encourage entrepreneurship & private sector investment.
• Create a strong institutional framework/network for effective innovation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

Schemes/Programmes

1. Research & Development (R&D).

The Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha strives to promote research in emerging areas of Biotechnology. The aim of the programme is to encourage Research & Development for the application of of Biotechnology in Agriculture, Medicinal Science, Animal Science, Life Science, Aquaculture, Marine Science and Environmental Science. The guidelines provide assistance for the preparation and submission of Project Proposals, the method of approval, mechanism of evaluation & monitoring and submission of utilization certificate. Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

2. Award of Biju Pattnaik Research Fellowship (BPRF) in Biotechnology.

The Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha endeavors to promote research in emerging areas of Biotechnology. The aim of the programme is to encourage Research & Development in Biotechnology by motivating the young brains (M.Sc. / M.Tech. science students) towards research and development programmes in different fields. The fellowships are being awarded on the basis of merit of the applicants and their research proposals. Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

3. Scholarship Scheme for Meritorious students to pursue Post-Graduation Studies in Biotechnology.

To promote and encourage meritorious students to pursue their Post-Graduation studies in Biotechnology / M.Tech Biotechnology, a sum of Rupees 2,000/- per month are being provided to the eligible students for a period of two years or completion of Post-Graduation course, whichever is earlier. Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

4.Award of Emeritus Fellowship in Biotechnology.

Science & Technology Department aims at promoting quality learning and teaching programme in Biotechnology in Government Colleges / Universities at Post-Graduate level. The aim of the programme is to impart quality teaching at M.Sc. / M.Tech. level by eminent superannuated teacher and scientists. The objective is to make use of the expertise and skill of prominent teachers who can enlighten the students both on fundamental aspects and recent development in Biotechnology. They can also guide the students to become industry-ready and become successful entrepreneurs.Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

5. Financial Assistance to Government Colleges / Autonomous Colleges & Universities of Odisha for holding seminars / symposia / conferences / workshops in Biotechnology.

6.The scheme provides financial assistance to Government Colleges/Autonomous Colleges / State Universities of Odisha for orgranising Conferences, Workshops, Symposia or Seminars at State / National / International levels in Biotechnology. The aim of the scheme is to promote high standards in colleges/universities by way of extending facilities to teachers, researchers and students by providing a forum for sharing their knowledge, experiences and research findings. Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

7. Travel Grant to academicians / scientists to give oral presentation in National / International conferences / Seminars/ Workshops/ Symposia.

To encourage Research & Development in Biotechnology, Science & Technology Department is being provided financial support to academicians and scientist of the State to attend National / International level Conferences / Seminars / Workshops / Symposia etc. This financial support is expected to help them to disseminate their research findings and interact with other academicians/scientists to get feedback which will qualitatively enhance the research output of the individual as well as the State. Detailed information in this connection is placed in the following link.

​​​​​​​8.Skill VigyanProgramme

To accelerate Skill VigyanProgramme, Department of Science & Technology Department, Government of India has taken major initiatives i.e. to develop faculty training on skill development. Skill development programmes and entrepreneurship development programmes to create jobs and develop career paths. DBT, Government of India is supporting Skill Vigyan Programmes in various area of Biotechnology, the objective of this programme is to impart hands on training in various tools and techniques to biotechnology students and enable them to take up jobs in industries, hospitals, medical colleges, R & D laboratories, diagnostic laboratories as well as exposure of entrepreneurship for self-employment. This programme will provide extensive hands on training and professional environment to students for building confidence.

In this connection, Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha has signed the MoA with DBT, Government of India for Skill Development programmes for the faculties and students of the State. Five major universities / institutions of the State i.e., OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar and National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack have been selected as partnering institutes by the DBT, Government of India to impart faculty as well as student training in this connection. The MoUs have also been signed between Science & Technology Department, Government of Odisha with the said partnering institutes for the purpose.

The DBT, Government of India has sanctioned the project in favour of Science & Technology Department for three years training programme under Skill Vigyan.