VIT to collaborate with 100 firms

Vellore: The School of Bio-Science and Technology (SBST) of the VIT University here is collaborating with over 100 biotech companies for executing joint projects, collaborative R&D publications and product development initiatives involving both its faculty members and the students.

This was decided at a meeting held last week at VIT, in which 11 top bio­tech companies participated and signed the Mo­Us with VIT.

VIT Chancellor Dr G. Vi­s­­wanathan said the MoUs also envisaged facilitating the qualified employees of the partner-companies to pursue Ph.D programmes at the VIT.

“This will help reduce the accretion in the companies because the emp­loyee’s doctoral study wo­uld be tied up wi­th his or her employm­ent,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

The chancellor said the programme actually benefits both the university and the industry. For instance, qualified empl­oyees from the industry could be recognised as guides for students at VIT to promote joint research that addressed industry issues in practical sense. The MoUs would also help in holding combined wor­kshops and job placem­ents for students, he said.

Dr Viswanathan said the MoUs would help in starting new ventures with the VIT providing incubation services for not only its own students but also entrepreneurs from outside.

“We have already incubated several such ventures, including a few fr­om Europe,” he added. SBST dean Prof. C. Rama­lingam said top-notch biotech firms including Piramal Life Sciences (Mumbai), Gen­otypic Private Ltd (Beng­aluru), Life Cell Intern­ational Private Ltd (Che­nnai), signed the MoUs with VIT. “We are aiming to hit a century of MoUs with industries in the coming months,” said the dean.