IBSD emphasises on bio-entrepreneurship in NE
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 26 2024:
Institute of Bio-re-sources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) marked its 23rd foundation day with a seminar on "Bio-economy from Bio-resources: Promoting Bio-entrepreneurship in NER for Viksit Bharat" in Shillong, Meghalaya on Friday.
In a release, IBSD informed that the event underscored its pivotal role in advancing biotechnology research and innovation in the Northeastern Region (NER) of India.
Established on April 26, 2001, in Imphal, IBSD is the sole institute in the NER under the ambit of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
It has extended its reach with centres in Gangtok (Sikkim), Shillong (Meghalaya), and Aizawl (Mizoram).
Highlighted the institute's scientific progress and outreach initiatives during his welcome speech, IBSD director Prof Pulok Kumar Mukherjee emphasised fresh endeavours such as the Phytopharmaceutical Mission, Himalayan Bio-resources Mission, Synergy Mission, and Network Pharmacology aimed at developing bio-resources in the region.
The director also mentioned the institute's collaborations with 29 international and national institutions for collaborative research.
As chief guest of the event, director general of BRIC & secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh S Gokhale commended IBSD 's research and outreach efforts in nurturing the bio-economy from bio-resources and its collaborative efforts in translational research for bio-resources and traditional medicines.
In his address as the guest of honour, BIRAC managing director Dr Jitendra Kumar, highlighted the bio-economic potential of NER's bio-resources and outlined various schemes, including the Biotechnology Ignition grant, to promote startups in the region as Dr Umesh Varshney, who is honorary professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Bengaluru, shared insights on the development of microbial bio-resources in the region.
Dr Zavie Hiese, former director of Nagaland Science and Technology Council (NASTEC), Kohima, congratulated IBSD on its foundation day and suggested exploring value addition opportunities with edible insects from NER while Prof Debasisa Mohanty, director of BRIC-National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, appreciated Prof Mukherjee's efforts in the Phytopharmaceutical Mission and Prof SR Joshi from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, highlighted research opportunities for young scholars and praised IBSD's BioNEST incubator for promoting women entrepreneurs.
The inaugural programme was followed by a lab visit for students.
The celebration cum seminar also had the participation of women entrepreneurs, beneficiaries, officials, scientists, scholars, and staff of IBSD.