Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology (S&T) Dr Jitendra Singh launches multi-disciplinary doctoral courses in Biosciences to address global health challenges.

Delivering the key-note address at the launch of “i3c BRIC-RCB PhD Programme” in Biosciences in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that 1000 PhD students will be enrolled in the next five years to drive innovation in the critical healthcare sector.

The Minister said this PhD programme is designed on the four pillars of ideation, immersion, innovation and collaboration.

The Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), an Institution of National Importance under the Department of Biotechnolgy (DBT), along with iBRIC (institutions of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council or BRIC) has rolled out a globally competitive interdisciplinary PhD programme- “The i3c BRIC-RCB PhD Programme in Biosciences”.

Along with a unique course curriculum, hands-on training on high-end facilities would be provided to all the research scholars. A special on-field ‘Immersion Fellowship’ supported by Grand Challenges India would be provided to first-hand experience challenges and problems and to derive motivation to address them through collaborative research in the DBT institutions. Additionally, the programme will also induct and provide opportunities for non-biologists to undertake this PhD programme through special fellowships.

Dr Jitendra Singh also launched the DBT-Handbook on Bio-design for Med-Tech Innovations and licensed medical technologies developed by DBT-Bio-design fellows to the startups incorporated by them. The DBT-Biodesign Programme promotes and nurtures med-tech innovators in the country. At present, six Biodesign Centres across the country twining over 20 leading medical schools and technical institutions are providing the biodesign capacity building and indigenous med-tech innovations.