1st Foundation Day of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council celebrated
BRIC, a DBT organisation organised the function on 9th – 10th November, 2024
With cabinet approval, the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology created,
Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) by subsuming the 14 Autonomous
Institutions (AIs) on 10th November, 2023. Under the exemplary leadership
and vision of the Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology, Dr
Jitendra Singh, BRIC is pivotal in driving excellence and innovation in biotech
sector.
The first foundation day of BRIC was celebrated at
BRIC-National Institute of Immunology (NII) on 9 - 10 November, 2024.
Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa was the Guest of Honour for the event and also
delivered the foundation day lecture. Dr Anand Deshpande, Persistent Systems
was the Special Guest. Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology
and DG BRIC, Directors of iBRIC and officials from DBT and BIRAC, researchers
and students from various iBRIC Institutions participated.
On 9th November, 2024, a competition named as “Race
from Science to Entrepreneurship (RaSE) was organised to encourage young talent
pool being nurtured in iBRIC+ institutes to develop their entrepreneurial
skills by exposing them to issues involved in commercialisation of biosciences
especially in the thematic areas mentioned in BioE3 (Biotechnology
for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy. Students
from all the fifteen iBRIC+ Institutes participated in the Competition.
On 10th November, 2024, a sports meet and a
get-together for iBRIC+ institutes and DBT was planned to foster harmony,
promote physical fitness, teamwork, and bonding among DBT-iBRIC+ family. The
sports meet encompassed events like Cricket, Badminton, Table Tennis and Chess.
BRIC has been instrumental in bringing together
scientists and researchers across the institutions and is expected to achieve
laudable outcomes for catapulting the Indian Biotechnology sector.
Speaking at the occasion Dr Gokhale mentioned that “BRIC
is playing a pivotal role in enhancing the value and impact both in the context
of bringing research synergy, enhancing and transforming the power of Science,
Technology and Innovation”. Guest of Honour Amitabh Kant appreciated the
efforts of the Department and mentioned that “BRIC would be a landmark
institution for the country”.
