GUWAHATI, July 1 - With a view to disseminating adequate information about the recent advancements in science and technology and providing insight into various biotech activities, Science and Technology Minister Keshab Mahanta today released the newsletter Northeast Bioline at a function held in his office conference hall here.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahanta also proposed to establish a centre for bioengineering to promote an integrated study and research in biotechnology, environment, life sciences, research on the abundantly available bio-resources in the Northeast, research on bio-informatics and other allied areas.
Such a centre, apart from ensuring highly skilled human resources, will also benefit start-ups, students and researchers in this field to seek scientific advice and to fulfil their aspirations. To popularise science and technology, Mahanta advocated for observing the National Science Day in each village in the State so that the young minds could get interested in research-oriented activities. The minister also declared that on every February 28, i.e., on the National Science Day, two scientists would be awarded by the Science and Technology Department.
The Chief Executive Officer, Guwahati Biotech Park, Vinod Seshan, while delivering his inaugural speech, said that Guwahati Biotech Park (GBP), a society under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Assam, was the first of its kind in the northeastern region to provide opportunities for technological innovation in the entire biotech spectrum.
�Being an intensive knowledge-based sector, enterprises set up under this ever-expanding sector have immense focus on activities such as research, innovation, product-design, product analysis and experimentation. GBP has also initiated signing of MoUs with different universities for fruitful industry-academia collaboration,� he said.
Also present at the occasion was the Director of Assam Science and Technology Environment Council, Dr Arup Kumar Misra who said that the department would extend all possible help to the Biotech Park to make it successful. He also urged research scholars, students and the teaching fraternity to join hands for the development of biotechnology and allied sectors in the State.
Director of Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Assam, Manoj Kumar Das, and IIT-Guwahati Dean, Dr Saurav Basu, Assam Gramin Vikas Bank Chairman Shiv Shankar Singh and Aroma India Managing Director Amit Jain also spoke.
