Why Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the science for this century. With its advances, we are on the first part of a giant leap forward. Humans have expanded their understanding of intricacies of human genome and scientists across the globe are gradually unraveling the misreading of genes and misfolding of proteins that cause diseases.  The advancement of biotechnological tools and techniques is now allowing us to look at the universe of molecules that shape and regulate the functions of living organisms. Thus Biotechnology offers a wide repertoire of opportunities to understand the mystery of life and scale up the quality of life. Biotechnology is utilizing the sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computers, agricultural and veterinary institutes and information technology to develop tools and products that hold great promise and concern. Humans have always been "manipulating" organisms to their advantage, but now we are able to manipulate life and materials at the atomic level through nanotechnology.

Advantage India

Biotech is the latest sunrise industry in India. Analysts and financial wizards estimate that biotech industry in India may surpass IT and ITES in overall growth and employment generation. In addition to a wonderful biodiversity, the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country harbour some of the best talent pools who can excel in India and across the globe. India is considered third hottest biotech destination (Battle 2008). A vast pool of young, English-speaking technical personnel; strong chemistry foundation; good understanding of regulatory processes; and the definite cost arbitrage advantage will see several biotech MNCs making a beeline for India.

1. Indian biotech industry expected to touch US $ 5 billion by 2010 with 40% growth
2. Indian Pharma industry crossed US $ 5 billion mark with a 27% growth rate
3. As per industry estimates, by 2010, there will be more than 400 biotech companies in the country with close to 100 biotech products in the market.
4. Biotech-Pharma is a knowledge based industry that requires huge trained manpower by 2010.
5. Increased outsourcing and global offshoring of MNC operations to India require personnel having perfect combination of technical skill and managerial capabilities.

So-so institutes vis a vis G MIST

The inconsistent and largely unregulated biotech education sector is producing up to 30,000 graduates every year (Nature ; 21 Nov, 2007). Many of the estimated 300 private programmes lack well-equipped laboratories and good laboratory practices to provide specialized training. Consequently, Indian biotech scenario faces a shortfall of trained manpower who often lack specific skill set to harness their ability to convert technology into commercially viable enterprise. Many colleges are breeding degree holders who lack the technical expertise due to the paucity of well-equipped laboratories and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Thus the students are unable to operate complex machines and systems which are used commonly in a biotechnology set up. Who is to blame ? The students ? - No way, bright young minds go for Biotechnology with a high hope. Our job is to provide them quality education. Sometimes the students are deprived of handling even common instruments – they view a PCR machine 20 ft away, many a times, they do not handle a HPLC machine or an ELISA plate, or an electrophoresis apparatus. G MIST is committed to generate globally competitive workforce who can handle all the instruments required to perform an experiment either by an entry level or a senior level scientist. The colleges also lack infrastructure to train students in high end technology platforms like microarray, stem cells or nanotechnology.

 At G MIST, we are committed to provide unique opportunities to students to perform hands on experiments in cutting edge technologies- we have established partnership with many top notch cutting edge technology providers. G MIST also knows key vendors in this area and therefore it can afford to provide sufficient consumables for students to perform and learn. G MIST also operates a research service which provides services to premier institutions. The students can learn hands on through participation in customer designed projects and can face real life situations. Many colleges even do not have proper infrastructure to train students to follow international standards, quite often, they are not exposed to agency guidelines dictated by FDA, EMEA, ICH etc. The industry does not have enough time to train its workforce,   G MIST has designed an industry-savvy curriculum that will prepare students just ready to move ahead and pursue their career in the industry.

Opportunity Landscape in Biotechnology

When most people think of opportunities for careers in biotechnology, they think of a scientist in a white coat in a laboratory developing drugs to improve the quality of life.  The biotechnology industry continues to flourish nationwide at a staggering pace. Consequently, biotechnology offers a wide variety of career opportunities ranging from sales and marketing, environmental technology, animal husbandry and agriculture to research and development, to manufacturing and quality control and assurance.  Candidates with postgraduate degree in biotechnology get absorbed in corporate and government sector, both. Qualified  biotechnologists are employed in leading indian business houses and MNCs including pharmaceutical companies, chemical industries, bio-processing industries, agriculture related industries and pollution control activities of the major industries etc. They can even join government and corporate run research and development organizations. On the whole making it a good career opportunity for the bright young people.