Sardar Bhagwan Singh University (SBS University), Dehradun, and the Uttarakhand Council for Biotechnology (UCB), Pantnagar, have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on biotechnology education, research, and innovation in the state. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday at the UCB Auditorium in Pantnagar.
This partnership marks a significant step forward for SBS University in strengthening its academic and research initiatives in the field of biotechnology across Uttarakhand.
Who Signed and What Was Agreed
The MOU was signed by:
- UCB Director - Dr. Sanjay Kumar
- SBS University Vice Chancellor - Prof. (Dr.) J. Kumar
The agreement covers four main areas of collaboration:
| Area | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Faculty & Student Exchange | Teachers and students from both institutions can work and study at either place |
| Joint Research | Both sides will team up on new research projects |
| Shared Facilities | SBS students get access to UCB's advanced labs |
| Training & Seminars | Both will jointly run awareness programmes and training events |
The signing was witnessed by UCB scientists Dr. Mahindra Mohan Sharma and Dr. Sumit Purohit, and by R.P. Jugran and Vipin Jain from SBS University.
What Students at SBS University Will Gain
Through this tie-up, SBS University students will be able to:
- Use UCB's modern laboratory infrastructure hands-on
- Join ongoing R&D projects at UCB
- Enrol in short-term dissertation programmes
- Take part in biotechnology awareness and training initiatives
This gives students a direct link between what they study in class and what actually happens in research labs.
About UCB - Uttarakhand's Apex Biotechnology Body
UCB started out as the State Biotechnology Programme (SBP) in February 2003, was restructured and renamed in 2014, and now works under the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand.
Its research covers five specialised areas:
- Plant Tissue Culture
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
- Advanced Bioinformatics
- Hydroponic and Soilless Farming
What Leaders Said at the Ceremony
Prof. (Dr.) J. Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SBS University: Said that Artificial Intelligence has made research more precise and wide-ranging, and that students today must be able to turn creative ideas into real outcomes.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, UCB: Called biotechnology a frontier field and said this partnership will open fresh doors for students while building their deeper interest in research.
SBS University at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Location | Dehradun |
| Distinction | First university of its kind in North India to offer biomedical and pharmaceutical education |
| Recognised By | UGC, PCI, SPC, NCAHP |
| Schools | 7 (Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Physiotherapy & Allied Health, Life Sciences, Management, Agricultural Sciences, Applied Chemistry & Basic Sciences, Computer Science) |
| Placement Record | Over 90% annually |
A Growing List of Partnerships
This MOU is not SBS University's first industry collaboration. It already has tie-ups with:
- Himalaya Drug Company - for R&D on drug development
- MAX Healthcare - for healthcare-related academic collaboration
The UCB partnership adds another layer to the university's ongoing push to connect classroom learning with real-world science and industry.
