Date:02/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/02/stories/2005100202070300.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Regulate institutions offering BT courses, says expert

Staff Correspondent

BIDAR: There is an urgent need to regulate colleges and institutes offering biotechnology (BT) courses. Many colleges claim to offer courses that guarantee jobs. But not all of them may be providing quality education, Bharati Salimath, Professor of Biotechnology and head of Bharati Salimath BT research group, University of Mysore, said here on Saturday.

She told presspersons that there are 62 such institutions in Bangalore, which offer short-term and long-term courses. These institutions need to be regulated. Otherwise, they will produce ill-trained students who will not get jobs, she said.

Unpopular

As a result, biotechnology courses will become unpopular with bright students. The purpose behind the Government's efforts of promote biotechnology education will be defeated, she said.

Prof. Salimath, who was here to deliver a lecture on "Anti-angio genesis therapy for cancer" at Karnataka College, said many jobs will be created in the field of biotechnology in the next decade.

"We should provide our students skills. This calls for a systematic effort by academicians, the Government and the industry. While academicians can focus on finalising the curriculum, the industry should confirm whether it is in tune with the market trends.

The Government should regulate biotechnology education and promote industry-institution partnership," Prof. Salimath said.

She noted that there is no need for biotechnology firms to be concentrated in Bangalore. They can spread out to smaller cities such as Mysore, Dharwad, Mangalore Belgaum and even Bidar. Bidar has an advantage as it is nearer to cities in Maharashtra where biotechnology has a strong presence, she said.

Karnataka Rashtriaya Education Society president Channabasappa Halahalli; principal R.S. Hatti; and others were present.