IKON
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the chairman and managing director of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bangalore.
Her father, Rasendra Mazumdar, was the head brewmaster at United Breweries. He suggested that Kiran study fermentation science, and train to be a brewmaster,. Mazumdar went to Federation University in Australia to study Malting and Brewing. In 1974 she was the only woman enrolled in the brewing course, and was at the top of her class. She earned the degree of Master Brewer in 1975. She started Biocon India in 1978 in the garage of her rented house in Bangalore with a seed capital of Rs. 10,000.
Mazumdar-Shaw spearheaded Biocon’s evolution from an industrial enzymes manufacturing company to a fully integrated bio-pharmaceutical company with products and a research focus on diabetes, oncology and auto-immune diseases. Mazumdar-Shaw noticed the market potential for statins (cholesterol fighting drugs) early on. Statins soon accounted for over 50 per cent of the company’s revenue
In 2004, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started a corporate social responsibility wing at Biocon, the Biocon Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the areas of health, education and infrastructure, especially in rural areas of Karnataka which lack healthcare facilities. Her pioneering work in the biotechnology sector has earned her numerous national awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan from the government of India.
Mazumdar-Shaw is the recipient of several prestigious international awards including the Othmer Gold Medal (2014) for outstanding contributions to the progress of science and chemistry, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Life Sciences & Healthcare (2002).
What is Bio-Technology?
Biotechnology (BT) is a multi-disciplined research-oriented science. Scientists are studying whether Plants, Animals, Oceans have answers to wide ranging diseases plaguing mankind e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Aids, etc. Whether there are alternatives to fuel oil, whether there are ways to genetically modify our grain, vegetables and fruit to feed our growing population?
This science is not only about Biology, but also of related subjects, e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, cell and tissue culture, physiology and computers.
Scientists have found that the extract of the fruit of the plant Jatropha (a plant which is easily grow-able in India) has many common ingredients to Diesel Oil. In fact German and Indian scientists have found that if 20-25% of Jatropha oil mixed with normal diesel oil, the car / truck works as well. So why not a higher percentage of Jatropha oil and save the nation billions of dollars in foreign exchange?
In India, we have developed a genetically modified vegetable called Biotechnology (BT) Brinjal – this is approx. 4 – 5 times the size of the normal Brinjal. Similar work has been done on tomato. If this can be advanced to greater reliability levels we would not be too worried about shortage of food in our country. Our scientist have also improved the strain of Cotton – and to-day , we have become one of the leading countries in the world in Cotton Production. One Scientist has developed Kits for HIV which are being exported to many African countries.
Clearly the potential is enormous not only for our country but the world.
The mapping of the human genome set this sector ablaze; and now, research is moving in leaps and bounds. The first biotechnology product from genetic engineering was human insulin used in the treatment of diabetes. Traditionally, insulin was extracted from the pancreas of pigs or cattle, but then some diabetics developed an allergy to them.
Bio-Pharma – Here the work is related to development of vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostics, veterinary medicine, etc.
Bio-Agri – Here plant tissue culture, nutraceuticals or food supplements, bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers, medicinal crops and genetically modified crops and foods are what scientists are engaged in.
Bio-informatics – This area comprises data-banking, management and analysis, etc.
Bio-services – This is a fairly new but very exciting area to be in – as International companies have started out sourcing the process of development of molecules, asking companies to conduct clinical research on their behalf, contract manufacturing and research.
Biotechnology encompasses the manufacture of antibiotics, enzymes, vitamins, vaccines, plastics, toxic waste disposal using bacteria, pollution control, production of new fuels etc. Techniques involve living organisms as a means of production; cell or tissue culture; cloning and fermentation; cell fusion; embryo transfer and recombinant DNA technology.
Can you go for Bio-Technology?
If you like to find solutions to problems facing us, just like substitutes for Diesel/Oil, and keen on Research then go for Bio-Tech.
Is there a future in this field?
In our country alone we are looking for more food grains, domestically produced alternate fuel, cheaper medicines, etc. to mention just a few things. So the potential is enormous considering our huge population. The need is for young people who are committed and prepared to work hard to qualify with a Master’s degree / PhD in Bio-Tech.
Growth prospects are bright for the right people to scale up to higher echelons in a few years. The global market is expanding rapidly and so also career opportunities.
Once you qualify at Post-Graduate / Doctorate level, employment opportunities would be available in leading pharmaceutical / chemical / agriculture & allied industries e.g. Serum Institute of India, Biocon, Panacea Biotec, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, Rasi Seeds, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, Novo Nordisk, Wockhardt, Aventis Pharma, Indian Immunologicals, etc.
OR with major Research facilities run by the governments / private enterprises e.g. ICAR, IISc, and TIFR. Teaching assignments are also available in some of the leading Universities in India.
Where to begin?
In Goa
After the 10 + 2 level, for Bio Tech you can join:
Xavier’s College, Mapusa,
Dhempe College of Arts & Science, Panaji.
Carmel College for Girls in Nuvem – Salcete.
Goa University, offers a M.Sc. in Bio-technology – this program specialises in Marine Sciences (Research facilities in NIO-Goa).
Research facilities in NIO-Goa.
Read a lot more on Science daily.com
Outside Goa:
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, holds a Combined Entrance Examination for admission to 2-year,
(1) M.Sc. Programme in Biotechnology &
(2) M.Tech. Programme in Biotechnology
at Anna University, Chennai and Jadavpur University, Calcutta.
For the following participating Universities including Goa University,
Eligibility for Admission:
Bachelor’s degree under the 10 + 2 + 3 pattern of education in Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences, Fishery Sciences or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Technology or Medicine (MBBS) or B.D.S. with a minimum of 55% marks.
4 year B.Tech program could then be followed up by passing the CSIR-NET exam and you will be eligble for scholarship under the CSIR Scientist program
Bangalore University – B.Sc. in Bio-technology.
BMS College of Engineering – B.Tech, Bio Tech. and M.Tech. – Bio Med.
Pune University
Employment Avenues:
A Post-Graduate / Doctorate level qualification would open a host of employment opportunities in leading pharmaceutical / chemical / agriculture & allied industries e.g. Serum Institute of India,ICAR,IIsc,TIFR, Biocon, Panacea Biotec, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, Rasi Seeds, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, Novo Nordisk, Wockhardt, Aventis Pharma, Indian Immunologicals, etc. – alternatively you could opt for a teaching assignment in any post graduate or graduate institution.
Once you qualify at post-graduate level, you will most certainly be employed in one of the leading pharmaceutical / chemical / agriculture & allied industries or major Research facilities run by the governments, e.g. ICAR, IISc, TIFR, and International Organisations like W.H.O. etc. India is a virgin field for biotechnological advancement, so the opportunities are vast. However you would be well advised to do your doctorate, as both, the need is very great at the moment and the challenge / potential is tremendous.
Alternatively you could take up an MBA Program, as many companies are looking for management professionals who have a bias towards bio-technology.
The third option and a very attractive one too, is to take up a Teaching assignment as a Lecturer and eventually as Professor in some of the leading Universities in India or abroad.
Monies
Starting salaries of Rs. 10,000/-, with experience could move up to Rs. 20,000/- in two years, and Rs. 35,000 – 50,000/- in four years. Growth prospects are bright for those with a burning desire to make a contribution, in finding answers that have been bothering humanity for many years. The right people can scale up to Division Head level in five years. As the global market expands, career opportunities will shoot up, both in India and overseas. Scientists, typically drawing Rs.6 lakhs a year in India, will be eligible for $80,000-$1,00,000/- packages in the US.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/