Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 2: In a significant step towards strengthening biotechnology education, research, and innovation in Uttarakhand, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University (SBS University), Dehradun, and the Uttarakhand Council for Biotechnology (UCB), Pantnagar, formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday at the UCB Auditorium, Pantnagar.
The MOU was signed by UCB Director Dr. Sanjay Kumar and SBS University Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) J. Kumar, with the primary objective of promoting biotechnology education, research, and innovation across the state. Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on the exchange of faculty and students, joint research on new projects, shared access to modern facilities, and the co-organisation of training programmes and seminars.
Established originally as the State Biotechnology Programme (SBP) in February 2003, UCB was restructured and renamed the Uttarakhand Council for Biotechnology in 2014, and currently operates under the Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand. As the state’s apex body for biotechnology, UCB has consistently driven research, development, and extension work aligned with Uttarakhand’s requirements, with specialised facilities spanning Plant Tissue Culture, Environmental Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Advanced Bioinformatics, and Hydroponic and Soilless Farming.
Through this collaboration, students of SBS University stand to gain direct access to UCB’s advanced laboratory infrastructure, enabling hands-on engagement with cutting-edge research in areas such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, and environmental biotechnology. They will also have the opportunity to participate in UCB’s ongoing R&D projects, short-term dissertation programmes, and biotechnology awareness and training initiatives, providing a meaningful bridge between academic learning and real-world scientific application.
Addressing those present, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) J. Kumar noted that the integration of Artificial Intelligence in research has significantly enhanced its scope and precision, adding that young scholars must develop the ability to apply innovative thinking in practice to achieve meaningful outcomes.
UCB Director Dr. Sanjay Kumar emphasised that biotechnology is a frontier discipline and that this partnership will open new opportunities for students in the field while also deepening their interest in research.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by UCB scientists Dr. Mahindra Mohan Sharma and Dr. Sumit Purohit, and by R.P. Jugran and Vipin Jain from SBS University. This MOU adds to SBS University’s growing portfolio of industry and institutional collaborations, which includes partnerships with Himalaya Drug Company for R&D on drug development and MAX Healthcare, reflecting the university’s consistent commitment to connecting academic learning with real-world application.
About SBS University
Established in 1994, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, is a pioneering institution and the first of its kind in North India to offer high-quality biomedical and pharmaceutical education. Recognised by the UGC, PCI, SPC, and NCAHP, the university has grown over three decades into a comprehensive multidisciplinary institution housing seven Schools: Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology, Physiotherapy & Allied Health, Life Sciences, Management, Agricultural Sciences, Applied Chemistry & Basic Sciences, and Computer Science. With a sprawling campus, a dedicated research centre, experienced faculty, and a consistent placement record of over 90% annually, SBS University continues to produce industry-ready graduates sought after by top employers across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors in India and globally.
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