Emphasizing scientific values

By supporting training activity, the college continues to excel in bioscience education in Gujarat

Shree Manibhai Virani and Smt Navalben Virani Science College affiliated to Saurashtra University, was established in 1968 and subsequently received recognition from UGC in 1976. The college is run by the Sarvodaya Kelavani Samaj which endeavors to synthesize spiritual, scientific and technological achievements to bring about harmonious and integrated development of young minds. Among the various departments at the Virani Science college, the department of biotechnology offers bachelors and masters courses in biotechnology.

During the academic year 2011-12, the department received 500 applications for the BSc biotechnology program, out of which 68 students were selected. For the masters course, 40 students were admitted against the 650 applications received by the department. A substantial number of students are also carrying forward their PhD at the department in the areas of plant tissue culture, bioinformatics and plant molecular biology. The infrastructure at the department has a well maintained library with versatile collection of books, e-books and periodicals.

The instrumentation in the department consists of various equipment such as gel documentation system, PCR, centrifuge systems, sequencing, gel electrophoresis, to name a few. There are 27 faculty members with above three years of experience. The department has published about 53 research papers in the national journals and about 40 papers in the international journals. There are a total of nine labs in the department which can accomodate 40 students.

Since 2007, the number of government sponsored projects at the department amounted to 5 crore. Similarly projects worth 1.5 crore were sponsored by the private industries.The college has a placement cell on its campus to cater to the requirement of the companies. During the last academic year, about 19 companies visited the college for placement purpose.

The college plans to augment educational programs by introducing courses in management, nursing, ayurveda, dentistry, and medicine to cater to the societal needs.

Fact file | Name of the Department: Department of Biotechnology
Courses: BSc and MSc in Biotechnology
Coordinator: Prof. Shivani Patel
Website: www.vsc.edu.in

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"The innovative study programs at our college lay an added emphasis on study of pharmaceuticals and proteomics. The institute is also designated as a star college by DBT. We organize expert lectures which enables our students to successfully submit research proposals on a national level, through which they win fellowships."

Prof. Shivani Patel HoD, Shree M & N Virani Science College

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