SIR MVIT'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR A FOUR YEAR B.E. DEGREE COURSE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY UNDER THE VTU

THE INITIATIVE

Dr. H.G. Nagendra, a faculty member at our institution is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, with expertise in Biomolecular Crystallography and Biophysics. During the period March 2000 - March 2001, he was a BOYSCAST fellow at the department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, England, sponsored by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. He gained expertise in the field of Bioinformatics during his stay at U.K. He has published several articles in international journals in the fields of Structural Biology and Bioinformatics. In view of Biotechnology being regarded as a emerging field, and with the expertise Dr. H.G. Nagendra had, we deemed it a true privilege to take the initiative in formulating a draft scheme of studies and contents of syllabi for a four year B.E. degree course in Biotechnology.

Thus, at the consent of the VTU, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology (Sir MVIT), Bangalore, took the initiative to prepare a draft scheme of studies and contents of syllabi for a four year B.E. degree course in Biotechnology. With the assistance of faculty members at its sister organization Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences (KCDS), a scheme of studies and syllabi for the four year B.E. degree in Biotechnology, adhering to the framework of all existing courses under the Visveswaraiah Technological University (VTU) was prepared. This draft was placed for a detailed discussion and critical scrutiny at a workshop.

Sir MVIT organized a two day workshop on August 13th & 14th, 2001, to deliberate on this draft scheme of studies and syllabi. The primary aim of the workshop was to develop a technology oriented syllabus. About 25 subject experts from educational institutions, R & D establishments and Biotech industries participated at the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. H. Sharat Chandra, Governing Council Chairman, Institute of Bioinformatics and applied Biotechnology, Bangalore. Dr. V.K. Basalalli, former Registrar, VTU, was also present at the workshop as a chief guest. The participation of many book publishing houses was also a highlight at the workshop.

The critical suggestions of the subject experts at the workshop were incorporated and the modified scheme of studies and contents of syllabi were submitted to the VTU by Sir MVIT (Ref.No.VIT/UG08/3062/2001-02 dated 31.10.2001).

The VTU constituted an expert committee to scrutinize and finalize this draft scheme of studies and contents of syllabi submitted to the VTU by Sir MVIT (Ref.No:VTU/Aca/2001-02/9032 dated 4th March 2002). The VTU nominated Prof. S. Mohan, an Executive Council member, VTU as the Chairman and Dr. H.G. Nagendra of Sir MVIT as the convenor-member (Ref.No.VTU/Aca/2001-02/9033 dated 4th March 2002). The complete list of Expert members and the letter directing the convenor to conduct the meetings are enclosed. 

In view of the recent amendments and modifications to the scheme of studies for the B.E. degree courses by the VTU, the scheme was accordingly re-framed. By the direction of the VTU, the meetings of the Expert committee was convened on 16th and 20th March 2002.

The first meeting of the Expert committee was held on Saturday, the 16th March 2002 at the Bangalore Regional office of the VTU. After a detailed deliberation, the scheme of studies for the B.E. degree course was finalized. The I & II semester courses have been maintained as common, as per VTU norms. The committee resolved that a four year B.E. degree course in biotechnology be instituted by the VTU.

At its second meeting on Wednesday, the 20th March 2002, at the same venue, the contents of the core courses, elective courses and list of laboratory experiments were discussed in detail.

The proceedings of the meetings, the finalized scheme of studies and the complete syllabi (a draft copy) for the entire eight semesters B.E. course in Biotechnology was submitted to the VTU.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

The VTU in association with the Institution of Engineers, Bangalore organized a three day workshop during August 2002 in order to discuss in detail the scheme of subjects for the proposed course in Biotechnology. The participants numbering about 100 were the faculty members from various Engineering colleges in the state of Karnataka. Detailed deliberations were held and the participants offered their criticisms and valuable suggestions.

In the light of the suggestions and criticisms received at the workshop held during August 2002, VTU reconstituted an adhoc committee with Dr. Arun Patil as the Chairman to revise the draft syllabus. Dr. H.G. Nagendra from Sir MVIT continued as an expert member in this committee as well. This adhoc committee has met twice and has submitted the revised scheme of studies and syllabi to the VTU.

Dr. N Sheshagiri, Emeritus Professor, VTU is currently guiding the expert committee towards due refinement of the scheme and contents of syllabi for the III and IV semesters. Dr. Nagendra is closely working with Dr. N Sheshagiri in this exercise. The refined copy is being submitted to the VTU for needful consideration and due implementation.