Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, said today at the first-ever meeting of the BRIC Society after its registration on November 10, 2023, after receiving Cabinet approval, that the time has come to define “Bio-vision” for Bharat.
According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Indian bio-economy has grown 13 times in the previous 10 years.
The Minister reported Prime Minister Modi as saying, “India is not far from joining the league of top-10 countries in the global ecosystem of biotech.” He went on to say that BRIC would be a testament to this, and that by instilling the spirit of Sabka Prayas, the government is bringing together the brightest brains on a cohesive platform.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, serves as the country’s focal body for biotechnology promotion. It received Cabinet clearance to rationalize its 14 Autonomous Institutions (AIs) by combining them into one Apex Autonomous Society, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), for centralized and unified governance to maximize impact of biotech research across the country.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of Biotechnology and Biotechnology, has highlighted the BRIC meeting as a significant event in India’s biotech ecosystem. He expressed hope that BRIC will enrich India’s progress in various aspects, including economy and employment. The Minister also sought views from accomplished institution-builders to define the Bio-Vision for Bharat at the meeting.
BRIC is one of the first Departments in the Government of India to successfully execute “Rationalization of Autonomous Bodies” for process and performance enhancement of its Autonomous bodies. Significant changes will be driven by BRIC, including maintaining distinct research mandates for each of the 14 subsumed BRIC Institutions, governed by one Governing Body at BRIC. Institutes will be allowed to utilize institutional lab space for researchers from outside DBT institutes and their collaborators to carry out R&D for start-ups emerging from institutional research.
BRIC and its Institutes can engage in public-private research partnerships and receive endowments, including funds from non-Governmental resources for research-related activities. New Ph.D programs across BRIC institutions will have a common course curriculum at RCB and immersion training for field or experimental studies for validating research hypotheses prior to thesis work. Additionally, additional 120 scientific positions are being brought in to enhance the scientific character of the institutions.
The DBT initiated this restructuring activity as per the directives on “Rationalization of Autonomous Bodies” issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. It is envisioned to improve governance, efficiency, encourage collaborations through greater interdisciplinary interactions, and democratize resources. Compliance to governmental processes and administrative issues will be centrally managed in a coordinated effort to achieve “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
On the occasion of the first Society Meeting of BRIC, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Zero Waste Life on Campus’ program, which aims to achieve sustainability through the application and adoption of knowledge and technologies on each BRIC campus. This people-centric movement will serve as a beacon leading India into sustainable waste management and strengthen collaborations among institutions across India.
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Source: PIB
