Mysore/Mysuru: JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, on the occasion of 105th Jayanti celebrations of Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji and to commemorate International Microorganisms Day (celebrated worldwide on Sept. 17), conducted a webinar on ‘Career Opportunities for Life Science Graduates in Pharma/Biotech Sector’ with keynote address by Biswarup Das Gupta on Sept. 21.

The webinar was organised under the able guidance of Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, and Dr. Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, and support from Dr. B. Manjunath, Registrar, Dr. P.A. Kushalappa, Director – Dean (Academics), Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Director (Research) and Prof. K.A. Raveesha, Head, Department of Water and Health. 

This webinar was conceived and convened by Dr. P. Ashwini, Co-ordinator, Department of Microbiology, with support from Dr. K. Sumana & Dr. A. Jamuna Bai, Department of Microbiology, JSS AHER.

This webinar was specially conducted for B.Sc and M.Sc Life Science graduates to make them aware of the new avenues and various options for Life Science students to pursue a successful career in the multi-billion dollar Biotech and Pharma Sectors. 

A total of 439 candidates including students and faculty from various institutes across the country attended the webinar.

The programme began with Dr. P. Ashwini welcoming the enthusiastic participants and introduction of the keynote speaker. Dr. K.A. Raveesha, Head, Dept of Water and Health, JSS AHER, rendered the opening remarks and spoke about importance of enlightening the young minds about different career avenues. 

He also spoke about the relevance of celebrating International Microorganisms Day and emphasised on the importance of role of Microbiology and its societal impact. He advised students to have an increased industry interaction in terms of summer research programmes and industry visits to hone their skills to be prepared for career in Pharma and Biotech industry.

Keynote address was delivered by Biswarup Das Gupta, Director, Quality Assurance, Gene Therapy, Andover, Massachusetts, USA. He has enormous experience as Quality & Compliance leader for over 18 years leading cross functional teams in Manufacturing, Quality Control and Quality Assurance working in leading Pharma Giants like Glaxo Smith Kline Biologicals, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals and Serpenta Pharmaceuticals, USA. 

In his educative presentation, Biswarup highlighted the plethora of opportunities Microbiology graduates have in Biotech and Pharma sectors.

Biswarup also remembered his roots in India during his graduation days in Department of Microbiology, University of Mysore and thanked all his teachers for providing a strong basic foundation in Microbiology and attributed it as reason for his present position in USA. 

Throughout his presentation, he provided crucial insights on career opportunities for Microbiology graduates in Industrial Microbiology, Clinical Studies, Pharmaceutical manufacturing, challenges in manufacturing and scaling of Biologicals. He also touched upon the regulatory affairs in Pharma sector. 

This enlightening presentation was followed up by a very interactive Q & A session moderated by Dr. A. Jamuna Bai, where Biswarup answered the key questions posed by the student community pertaining to preparations, prior knowledge and basic set of skills and training required for joining Biotech and Pharma Sectors.

He said industrial visits and an increased interaction with industry personnels should be made a prerequisite while designing the academic curriculum. The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. K. Sumana.