IBAB multidisciplinary approach results in effective human capital

IBAB was set up in Bangalore with the aim of forging a fruitful alliance between computer science and biological science. The institute provides a unique platform for pursuing scientific training through a combination of courses.

The Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), which is a public-private initiative of Department of IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, provides education, research and entrepreneurship in biotechnology and bioinformatics. Set up in 2002, IBAB has established itself as an institute of repute for training in bio-related areas. IBAB imparts training to produce professionals in diverse areas by recognizing and adapting to the changes and challenges of the biotech industry. In its training programs, it adopts an integrative or multidisciplinary approach that is inclusive, but not exclusive of computational, mathematical and statistical methods to study, organize, analyze and interpret biological information.

IBAB will shortly introduce a course in Cheminformatics and the institute has roped in Dr Andrias Bender of Cambridge University as guest lecturer. "The institute provides placements to most of the students and we are planning to introduce MSc courses with a view to provide the industry with quality students," said Prof. N Yathindra, director, IBAB. "The most unique aspect is that we provide opportunities in life science for students from non-life science backgrounds," he added.

According to Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Karnataka's Biotech Vision Group which set up IBAB, "IBAB's multidisciplinary approach has resulted in effective human capital for the biotech sector with 100 percent student placement record."

IBAB will be shifting from its current location in ITPL, Whitefield to Bangalore Helix by October this year.

Courses

IBAB offers the following courses:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics (18 months)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechniques (7 ½ /14 months)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Cheminformatics (18 months)

Fee structure

The fee structure for the PG Diploma courses in Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics is is Rs 1,65,000 for regular students and it is Rs 2,64,000 for NRI/foreign students and corporate sponsored students. This fee structure includes Rs 33,000 towards security deposit, which will be refundable only on completion of the course. The fee structure for the PG Diploma in Biotechniques for a 30-week certificate course is Rs 95,000, which is inclusive of a refundable deposit of Rs 15,000. An additional Rs 30,000 for those choosing diploma of 14 months with internship. For NRI/foreign and corporate sponsored students, the fees would be Rs 1,35,000 (inclusive of a refundable deposit of Rs 15,000) for 30-week certificate course. Additional Rs 40,000 for those choosing diploma of 14 months (with internship).

Selection procedure

Students will be selected through an entrance test conducted in Bangalore, Belgaum, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mangalore and Mumbai on September 9, 2007. The last date for receipt of filled forms is September 1, 2007. The courses commence on November 15, 2007.

For more information, visit

www.ibab.ac.in, e-mail: pg@ibab.ac.in.

Jahanara Parveen