India approves plans for UNESCO biotech training centre
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
India has approved plans to establish UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) regional centre for training and education in biotechnology in Faridabad, Haryana. India's cabinet recently approved the proposal, which is being implemented with a budget of Rs995.5 million ($19.8 million). The proposed centre would act as the focal point for co-operation among member countries of the Asian region in biotechnology. It would serve as a regional hub for interdisciplinary education and training in biotechnology with emphasis on novel education programmes relevant to industry, including biotech drug discovery science, nanoscience and medicine, imaging techniques and bioengineering. It is expected to help overcome the shortage of skilled personnel in these areas in India. Collaboration with UNESCO is also expected to open up gateways to international institutions such as the European Molecular Biology Organisation and the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Indian government added.