The Department of Biotechnology, GoI is supporting skill development programme in multi- disciplinary areas of Biotechnology. The objective of skill development programme is to provide high-quality hands-on training of tools and techniques to biotechnology students in multidisciplinary areas of Biotechnology to make the young biotechnologist ready to take-up jobs in industries, hospitals, medical colleges, R&D laboratories, diagnostic laboratories.
DBT has initiated new Skill Vigyan Programme for providing high-quality hands-on training in tools and techniques in multidisciplinary areas of biotechnology for entry-level students (10+2 and Graduates in Biotechnology) in partnership with State Councils of Science & Technology in respective States. Department has adopted a hub and spoke model for implementation of Skill Vigyan Program. State Councils have identified the partnering institutes in their States for imparting skill training to Biotechnology and Life Science students and Faculty Training for updating the latest development in the subject. This program has been designed for providing skill training under four categories (i) Skill training for students (ii) Technician training (iii) Faculty training and (iv) Entrepreneurship training. The training modules will be conducted for duration of 3-6 months. The linkages have been developed with concerned sector skill councils for certification of training.
Initially, the program is being implemented in partnership with Six States: 1) Arunachal Pradesh 2) Himachal Pradesh 3) Meghalaya 4) Odisha 5) Punjab 6) Uttarakhand
HIMCOSTE bags Skill Development Project in Biotechnology
The Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE), Shimla since its inception in 1986 by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India has been playing a vital role in coordinating and catalysing the use of Science & Technology for development of the State. At present, it is working as an important link between the Union and State governments and implementing programs of various ministries of Govt. of India, viz., Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Space, etc.
The State Council has now become an integral part of the strategic planning particularly about both rural and urban areas in the State. It is conceiving and successfully implementing numerous programs through active collaboration with various Govt. departments, academic institutions, research & development organizations, NGOs etc. in the State.
HIMCOSTE has now bagged a major project “Skill Vigyan Program in Biotechnology” from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi. Himachal Pradesh is one of the six States in the country in which the program is being implemented initially. This program has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs. 4.32 Crores for a period of three years. The program would be implemented in Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC) and partnering institutes in the State.
LSSSDC will facilitate affiliation of partner institutions, execute the Train the Trainers program and provide the NSQC approved vocational qualifications to the passed students. For imparting skill training to Biotechnology & Life Sciences students, HIMCOSTE has roped in eight best research laboratories and academic institutions in HP. These include CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource & Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur; ICAR- Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) & Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla; Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat; Shoolini University of Biotechnology & Management Sciences, Solan; Baddi University of Emerging Sciences & Technologies, Baddi; Himalayan Skill Development Centre, Kala Amb, and Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour.
For Quality Control Biologist, two training programs of 3 months duration each will be conducted every year at IHBT (15 seats), CPRI (15), HPU (25), JUIT (15) and Shoolini University (20) while one such program will be conducted at Baddi (20) and Eternal Universities (15). The eligibility for Quality Control Biologist training program is B.Sc in Biology/ Biotechnology and a provision of Rs. 5,000/- studentship in all institutes except HPU where the minimum qualification for admission is B.Tech/ M.Sc in Biotechnology/ Biology and a studentship of Rs. 10,000/- per month for 3 months duration course.
Laboratory Technician/ Assistant Training program would be conducted twice a year at IHBT (15 seats; specialization Plant Tissue Culture), CPRI (15), JUIT (15) and Shoolini University (20) while one program will be conducted at Baddi (20) and Eternal Universities (15). The eligibility for Laboratory Technician/ Assistant Training program is B.Sc in Biology/ Biotechnology and a studentship of Rs. 5,000/- per month for 3 months duration course.
Production/ Machine Operator Training course will be held at Himalayan Skill Development Centre, Sirmour. For 25 seats allocated for this program, the minimum eligibility qualification is 10+2 in Biology/ Biotechnology with a studentship of Rs 3,000/- per month for the 3 months duration course.
Students for various training programs will be selected based on a State level entrance test to be advertised shortly for which a list of examination centres would be provided. Based on their qualification and interest, applicants can select institutes in order of preference in the application form and opt for the nearest examination centre.
Through these skill development programs, students would be trained in various fields of Biotechnology. A large number of major industries for fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), food, pharmaceutical and beverages industries are located in Baddi-Baroti- Nalagarh, Paonta Sahib and Kala Amb. Students would be trained strictly as per LSSSDC guidelines and standards. HIMCOSTE and partner institutions will make necessary tie-ups with industries so that meritorious students from across the State get an opportunity of placement in industries, hospitals, R&D laboratories in Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states. The students would also be encouraged to avail benefits of CM Start-up scheme for setting up their own enterprise.