Biotechnology is a diversified field encompassing medical, agricultural, environmental, and pharmaceutical segments. In India, a variety of biotechnology courses are offered by the engineering and life science colleges at graduate, post graduate, and doctorate levels. The curriculum of these courses provides an overall exposure to basic science and to a great extent to the principles and techniques involved in science. Though the courses provide application level knowledge, it is either classroom oriented or completely research oriented. The students who pass out from these institutes have to undergo an intense internship in the industry before they can become a part of the system in any organization.

During the internship they get an opportunity to work in a specific department and get to know about the process, documentation, etc. The students who do not get internships have to spend an year more to get hands on training in the techniques needed for them to make an entry into the industry. The talent in the students and the expectations of the industry could be bridged by providing them insights into the technological process and regulatory knowhow in order to make them industry ready and rapidly employable. The key focus of Biocon Academy is to bring this critical knowhow handy to the students and create an efficient human capital for the industry. Mr SS Easwaran, academic director, Biocon Academy, shares more details on the initiative.

Could you please share with us more details on the Academy and the courses that it plans to offers?
Biocon Academy is a recent initiative of Biocon to address the skill deficit and develop industry ready human capital. Biocon Academy offers its flagship course "Biocon KGI Certificate in Bio-Sciences" in collaboration with The Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), California, US. This 16-week, full-time course will leverage the industry leadership strengths of Biocon and the academic headship of KGI to benefit participants and make them readily employable.
In addition to technical sessions and classroom assignments from KGI, students will get hands-on experience in various facilities of Biocon. While focusing on the technical skill development, the course will also provide an opportunity for students to hone their professional skills through dedicated training. We strongly believe that this course will bring about a transformation in students making them industry ready by training them in technological, process, quality, and regulatory knowhow.

Who would be the right candidate for the programs?
Students aspiring to make a difference in the field of biopharmaceuticals through technical, innovation and professional skills will find these programs indispensable.

What are the eligibility criteria?
For the flagship certificate program it is either BE (biotechnology or industrial biotechnology) or M Sc (biotechnology or microbiology or biochemistry or biology) or B Pharm. Biocon Academy also expects to expand its portfolio of training modules in the areas like chemistry and research management.

How big is the academy currently and how many students will you absorb?
Biocon Academy would accommodate about 30 students for its first batch to commence in January 2014.

Are you associating with any university/institute for an affiliation?
The certificate is being offered jointly by Biocon and The Keck Graduate Institute, California which is a registered institute under the US law and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Where will the academy come up?
Biocon Academy is located at Biocon House, Semicon Park, Electronic City Phase II, off Hosur Road, Bangalore.

What is the expected fee?
The flagship course Biocon KGI Certificate in Bio-Sciences is a collaborative program with KGI, California, providing world class training content to students. Biocon would provide more than 75 percent scholarships to all students selected for this program. In addition, the Academy will also provide for the availability of education loans from trusted banks for the tuition fee for students who desire to avail of the same.

Could you elaborate a little bit about your faculty?
A panel of faculty from KGI will handle the sessions for this program. The subject matter experts (SMEs) from Biocon will act as mentors for developing the functional skills. Academic director at Biocon Academy, Bangalore and program director at KGI, California will plan and execute the certificate course seamlessly.

Will there be any placement opportunities on completion of this certificate program?
Every student who successfully completes the certificate program is eligible for an interview with Biocon for the positions available at that point in time. Biocon Academy will have a placement cell to enable the placement of all the students who complete the course.

How can one apply?
The entire application process is online through www.bioconacademy.com or kgi.edu

What is the scope of utilizing the certificate obtained from this program?
The certification will enable career options in R&D, regulatory affairs, production and quality control - assurance in the biopharmaceutical sector across countries engaged in the research and production of vaccines, recombinant therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, etc.