Gujarat govt inks MoA with Edinburgh University to develop biotechnology innovation ecosystem in state

New Delhi: Under the visionary leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani, Gujarat has taken another innovative initiative of global education through Gujarat Biotechnology University.

In order to create a strong Biotechnology ecosystem in the State, an important MoA has been signed between Gujarat Biotechnology University and World-renowned The University of Edinburgh in the presence of CM Mr. Vijay Rupani and virtual presence of British High Commissioner to India.

MoA exchange Ceremony was joined by British High Commissioner to India Mr. Alex, Vice Chancellor of University of Edinburgh Professor Peter Mathieson & Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof. K. Raghavan joined through virtual medium.

The MoA were exchanged between GoG Secretary to Science and Technology Mr. Harit Shukla & British Deputy High Commissioner for Gujarat and Rajasthan Mr. Peter Cook in the presence of Gujarat CM.

Describing this opportunity as an important opportunity for Gujarat Mr. Rupani said that, the role model of development Gujarat has also emerged as a world class education hub with the development of sectors including industries and tourism. The State Government is moving ahead with the concept of Sector Specific University for expert education.

Gujarat Biotechnology University has taken this innovative initiative so that the next generation of the state can get world class education at home state. As a result of this MOA, the knowledge of World Scientist and Subject Expert in the Innovative Research and Development Sector will be made available for the students of the state.

Mr. Rupani also briefed about the role in establishing G-SER i.e. Special Education Region in Dholera with the multi-faceted objective of establishing Gujarat as a knowledge driven economy.

The Chief Minister said that biotechnology has the potential to face the problems like pandemic, genetic diseases, climate change, food security. The state government has also started Gujarat Biotechnology University to develop innovation ecosystem in Gujarat. Not only that, a provision of Rs. 2 crores have also been made in this year’s budget for setting up a state-of-the-art biosafety level-2 lab in the field of biotechnology.

The CM expressed his firm belief that this partnership between Gujarat Biotechnology University and University of Edinburgh would prove to be a new milestone.

British High Commissioner to India Mr. Alex expressed his feelings of gladness for the vison of the CM. Gujarat is a pioneer state in India in Investment-Education Talent and Scientific Excellence. The partnership between these two universities would also take Gujarat to the world in scientific excellence, he added. He also congratulated Mr. Rupani for victory in the recent elections.

Detailing on the occasion Science and Technology Secretary Mr. Harit Shukla said that, the partnership will provide innovative master’s programs in subjects such as medical, industrial, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, as well as industry-integrated PhD programs, all of which will run for the 2021-22 academic session.

This innovative initiative of the state government will give impetus to translational research and will prove to be a huge step forward for the development of the biotechnology sector across the country.