This report on CSES event was published in The New Indian Express on 4th January 2011
To pep up the budding biotechnology sector in the State, the Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC) is all set to bring together the industry and the research and development sector to a common platform to interact directly, exchange and share new technologies as well as discuss and find solutions to common problems for the development of biotechnology.
The KBC along with the Centre for Socio-economic & Environmental Studies (CSES), is organising a colloquium to this effect on January 12 in Kochi.
The programme, the first of its kind in the biotechnology sector in the State, aims to identify the R&D-related needs of the BT industry and also look at technology transfer opportunities between the two.
“Eight registered biotechnology companies within the State and seven R&D centres will be exhibiting their products and profile at the exhibition to be held in connection with the colloquium. The budding biotechnology companies, which will be given free space at the exhibition venue, will get more visibility. These companies will also benefit by the myriad new technological developments offered by the R&D institutes,’’ A Sabu, programme officer of KBC, said .
The highlight of the programme will be the participation of the Barcelona Science Park along with institutes such as the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), which will be putting up stalls explaining the various processes and technologies developed by them, which can be taken up by the BT industry.
The NIIST stall will be showcasing its WIPO gold medal-winning white pepper bioprocessing technology, for the production of white pepper from black as well as green pepper, without compromising on quality. This fast, simple and pollution-free microbial technology had received international acclaim. Delegates from various BT industries, universities and research units engaged in BT-related research inside and outside the State, industry representatives and policy makers will participate in the colloquium.
“It will provide an opportunity for the delegates to exchange ideas and to discuss the constraints and opportunities in translating R and D into BT products,’’ Sabu said.
The key speakers at the conference include G Pakki Reddy, Executive Director, Agri Biotech Foundation, Hyderabad; George John, Senior Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; Shaji George, Director, MIR Life Sciences; M Haridas, Director, Inter-University Centre for Biosciences, Kannur University; Benny Antony, Arjuna Aromatics; G M Nair, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala; M V Joseph, Professor, University of Calicut; V I Bishore, Director, Ubio Biotech Systems and K B Sivakumar, COO of Samy Labs, among others.
The colloquium, to be held at IMA House and Convention Centre at Kaloor in Kochi, will include several key-note address, lead lectures and interactive sessions.
M Vijayan, president of the Indian National Science Academy and professor at Indian Institute of Science will inaugurate the colloquium on January 12.
The CSES will conduct a study on the problems faced by the BT industrialists and also look into the need for developing new strategies and will finally submit the recommendations to the State Government.
BLURB: The colloquium is being organised by the Kerala Biotechnology Commission and the CSES and is the first of its kind in the State. The organisers hope to identify the R&D-related needs of the BT industry and also look at technology transfer opportunities between the two.