Lok Sabha Question No. 4159 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: CSIR-IMTECH
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Pritam Gopinath Munde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA

USTARRED QUESTION NO. 4159 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## CSIR-IMTECH

4159. SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:
2. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

Will  the  Minister  of  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY विज्ञान  एिं  प्रौद्योविकी  मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Research Laboratory CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) is considering to establish 'High End Skill Development  Centres'  equipped  with  next  generation  technologies, like gene editing and single-molecule biomarker detection;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of High End Skill Development Centres proposed to be set up;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  identified  the  places  where  these centres  are  likely  to  be  set  up,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the progress made so far in this regard;
- (e) the facilities proposed to be provided in these centres; and
- (f) the extent to which it is likely to help in scaling employability skills for graduates and post graduates who are aspiring to make a career in the life science sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

स्िास््य और पररिार कल्याण मंत्री; विज्ञान एिं प्रौद्योविकी मंत्री; तथा पृ्िी विज्ञान मंत्री (डॉ. हर्ष िर्षन)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  The  constituent  laboratory  of  Council  of  Scientific  & Industrial Research (CSIR) namely CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology  (CSIR-IMTECH),  Chandigarh  is  setting  up  a  'High  End Skill Development Centre' equipped with next generation technologies, like gene editing and single-molecule biomarker detection.
- (b) The objective of the proposed centre is to facilitate development and imparting training to scientists, academicians, researchers, students, and others in the field of life sciences. The Centre intends to focus on research,  development  and  training  in  the  areas  of  New  Drug Discovery; Affordable Healthcare; Diagnostics; and Agriculture Biotechnology.
- (c)to(e)  In  addition  to  CSIR-IMTECH,  the  other  constituent  laboratories namely  CSIR-Institute  of  Genomics  and  Integrative  Biology  (CSIRIGIB), New Delhi and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad would establish skill  development  centers in  their  respective campuses to provide training in the areas of life sciences. Currently, CSIR-IGIB is running Skill Development training programs in genomics and molecular technologies. The Laboratory is equipped with all essential equipments and instruments to carry out PCR based molecular technologies. Additional instruments used are available in Central facilities.
- (e) High End Skill Development Centres shall enable to create a platform which shall help researchers and students to enhance their skill set and develop advanced competencies & analytical skills required for research in the area of life sciences. The centres shall help to create a  unique  talent  pool  of  young  researchers/students  who  will  have hands on experience in operating high-end state-of-the-art equipment in  real  time  environment  and  thereby  increase  their  employability chances  with  reputed  organizations  working  in  the  area  of  Life Sciences.

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