Realizing the potential of Information Technology (IT) and biotechnology, the two key drivers of the growth, the Association of Knowledge Workers, Lucknow (AKWL) jointly with Department of Science and Technology and Department of IT and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh organized a one day Annual Convention -2013 on "Transformation through IT and Biotechnology infusion" recently in October, 2013 at Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, Lucknow.

The convention aimed to evolve through mutual discussions with experts from industry, academia and government, a road map for the state of Uttar Pradesh, for its transformation and positioning it among the top five states of the country. Biotech Park was the Technical Partner for the "Biotechnology- arm" of the convention. Prof P K Seth, Chief Executive officer of the Biotech Park and former President of AKWL, helped in charting out the biotech component of the event.

The minister of state, science and technology, U P, Prof Abhishek Mishra, the chief guest, inaugurating the convention, appreciated the initiative taken by AKWL and said that IT and biotechnology are two growth engines for economic development and can bring revolution and transform lives of citizens. He said that both are important and should work together. Assuring support mentioned further, "I am pleased that eminent people from both IT and Biotechnology are participating in the evnet and sharing their views. The state would provide all possible support if they wish to initiate any program in their area."

Dr R K Khandal, vice chancellor, GBTU, guest of honor, said in his address that in coming times, technology and industrial growth would be led by innovative minds and cited new developments IT and BT and their applications in human lives. He stressed upon the need for reseach and human resource development in these area.

Dr Sanjay Singh, CEO, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd Pune and Mr Chiranjeeb Banerjee; Country Manager, HP were the Keynote speakers for IT and BT respectively.

Mr Jiwesh Nandan, Principal Secretary, Deptt. of IT and Telecommunication in his address gave the current senerio of IT in the country and steps taken by the state for promotion of IT.. He said that Government has announced an attractive IT Policy and an IT city is coming up in the city.

Dr Har Sharan Das, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Science and Technology, in his address highlighted the recent developments in the field of Biotechnology and said that biotechnology is an important tool with wide applications in everyday life. He said that the Government of U.P. realizes the potential of Biotechnology and has taken several steps to promote Biotechnology in the state. He mentioned that state has drawn an attractive biotech Policy with the aim to promote Biotechnology and biotech industries in the state. A road Map for the Development of Biotechnology in the state has also been drawn.

During the Inaugural Session Biotechnology Keynote speaker Dr. Sanjay Singh, CEO, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Pune said that Gennova intends to use its best efforts to bring the innovation in the field of biotechnology and life saving benefits of the PHT program to patients across India and other emerging countries. He informed the audience about the Development of third generation thrombolytics and connecting to pre-hospital thrombolysis treatment an Innovative solution for Indian health care by combining synergistic effect of Biotechnology and Information technology to leapfrog infra-structure problems. Dr Sanjay Singh is a scientist turned entrepreneur and had obtained his Ph.D from CDRI, Lucknow Mr. Chiranjeeb Banerjee, Country Head, HP emphasized on Innovation is the key factor in sustainable growth and outlined the future digitized classroom.

The convention had two technical sessions one on IT and other on Biotechnology where experts from industry, academia and government participated and shared new innovative ideas. Mr.Vikas Gupta, Manager, CISCO, Mr Saurabh Verma, Director, Microsoft, Mr Rishi Kohli ,MD & CEO ProAlpha Systematic Capital Advisors, were the speakers and Sri CV Singh, EX- VP , Tata Motors chaired the IT session. Dr. P.K. Seth, Past President, AKWL and CEO, Biotech Park, and Dr. V.P. Kamboj, Former Director, CDRI, chaired the BT session.

Delivering the opening remarks Dr. Kamboj highlighted the regulatory issues in the drug development and clinical research. Biopharma has great potential and several advances are taking place in this sector. Dr. K.C. Bansal, Director, NBPGR, New Delhi delivered the talk on transforming through agriculture biotechnology which highlighted the breakthrough developments that have helped the farmer to get better yields of crops including better quality. He said agri-biotechnology sector is growing rapidly and state government should draw a plan to utilize agri-biotechnology in a big way. Dr. J.N. Verma, Managing Director, Lifecare Innovations Pvt. Ltd delivered the talk entitled" "Transforming through Pharma- Bio" and discussed how biotech innovation are helping in health care and gave example of "fungisome" developed by his company. Dr. Verma is a native of U.P. and a scientist turned entrepreneur. He has set up a state of art R&D unit of Lifecare Innovations at Biotech Park, Luckow which is WHO complaint facility for injectables.

The convolution session was chaired by Sri C.V.Singh and Dr. Har Sharan Das, where Dr S.P.S Khanuja,MD, SKIES,(Pvt. )Ltd highlighted his success story in a talk entitled "Reaching the Unreached: Innovation Path of Farm to Pharming for Agro-based Entrepreneurship". He said that with a well planned approach UP can be the" nutritional Hub" for the country.The state has great potential providing nutritionally rich crops and biofortified products. Dr Khanuja is also a scientist turned entrepreneur and was a former director of CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow.

The convention was supported by GBTU and IET Lucknow as Academic partners. TCS, CMC, Biotech Park and UPTEC were the technology partners. The event was attended by over 400 delegates representing professionals and , senior managers from industries , government officials, and I.T and BT experts from government and academia. A large number of young students from local institutions also participated.