Govt plans bioengineering institute near Jewar airport
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University organised a seminar at its Noida campus in Sector 62 on Saturday, which was attended by experts from the pharmacy industry, scientists and medical device manufacturers, among others. They deliberated upon the setting up of a fully-autonomous bioengineering centre of excellence in Uttar Pradesh.
The state government is mulling over a proposal to establish an international pharmaceutical and bioengineering centre of excellence near the upcoming airport at Jewar, with an aim to encourage world-class research and nurture professionals.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the technical education department officials and experts to prepare a detailed plan on how a bioengineering institution of excellence can be established in the state.
Professor PK Mishra, vicechancellor, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University said, “We invited experts such as academicians, medical device manufacturers and pharmacy industry leaders to chalk out a roadmap for the foundation of a world-class bioengineering institution in the state.”
Once the discussions reach the final stage, the government will decide on the budget and deadline to establish the centre of excellence, said university officials. “We will engage not only the best academicians, scientists or industry experts from India but also from abroad. The idea is to establish an international pharmacy and bioengineering school at par with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) in terms of quality. We don’t want to just churn out graduates and postgraduates in pharmacy with zero industry experience or knowledge about the practical knowhow. The institution will be the best in the world and undertake extensive research activities,” said Amrit Abhijat, principal secretary of the technical education department.
There are at least 400 private pharmacy colleges across UP, but they lack the required infrastructure and facilities to do research work in the sector, said university officials.
“The government wants to undertake research in ayurveda and use Indian traditional knowledge in pharmacy. It also wants to adopt international standards in pharmacy so that our students can build startups and invent drugs”, said Sunil Kumar Chaudhary, special secretary, department of technical education, UP government.