Indian Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry | Indian Pharmaceutical Industry Scope 2012 | Careers in Pharmaceutical and Biotech

Indian Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry is on a fast growing path and the thrust is on Research and Development (R&D).This is going to shape the future of this key knowledge-based sector of the Indian economy

In the current state of the Indian Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry there has been a huge concern for the area of Industry-Institute/Academia partnership which is expected to have significant impact on the Industry that requires quality human resource - the key drivers for the sector.

The Industry-Institute partnership issue has been often debated by the policy makers, industry leaders and eminent academicians in various common industry platforms.

Some of the areas identified which can be focused upon regard to this key partnership are: Industry to interact with the academicians of the institutes and assist them in designing an industry-tailored curriculum.

Students of the institutes to take up more industry-sponsored projects and also to have regular interaction with the functional heads of the various departments (in industry) and to utilise their theoretical knowledge in practical areas in the industry.

To initiate an 'Industry-Institute Partnership Cell' in the institutes which would be a key step in taking this agenda forward. Industry members have access to newer technologies which they can share with the institute faculty members and to upgrade the students in this area by appropriately incorporating this in the institute curriculum.

Industry to encourage institutes also to focus on industry-oriented courses such as Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education apart from the regular courses in functional orientation such as Marketing, Production Management etc.

Industry to create centers of excellence in Pharma/Biotech education in the institutes and to actively involve in the Learning and Development process in these centres with an aim of creating quality manpower meeting the industry requirements.

Industry to develop the 'talent search and talent shape' attitude by making the right search for talent by constantly interacting with the institutes and encouraging them with visiting faculty members from the industry and also assisting in designing an industry-tailored curriculum Training and internships of the students in the industry are key platforms for a better understanding of each other's requirements (Industry can assess the students and go back to the institutes with their specific requirements and expectations from the finished products of these Institutes i.e the students).

Industry to come forward and encourage funding support for various research and development activities undertaken by the institutes.

Industry to take advantage of the rich knowledge base and the infrastructure offered by the institutes in its ongoing and new research projects.

Institutes to focus on effective engagements and interactions with the visiting and guest faculty from the industry and seek their inputs, advice and guidance in designing the curriculum and making it more industry-oriented.

Faculty of the institutes to take up consulting engagements with the industry (with a focus on the training and development aspects of the industry professionals as well) which would also offer the opportunity for them to have regular interaction with the industry, to have exchange of knowledge base and also to keep abreast of the latest industry trends. Management Development Programmes (MDPs) conducted by the institutes also is a key platform for strengthening the Industry-Institute partnership area.

The academicians and the industry leaders to come together, have exchange of ideas on newer technological trends and their proper implementation in common industry platforms like sectoral events, seminars, industry forums etc (leading Indian industry associations like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM offer such platforms through their various events, forums at the National and State Level) and also to discuss and debate on the key issue of 'Industry-Institute partnership'.

Government through its concerned departments and agencies to offer the necessary platforms and create significant awareness on 'Industry-Institute partnership' among the various industry stakeholders. Industry and institute to develop adequate 'thought leadership' on 'Industry-Institute partnership' in common industry platforms and also to create awareness on this issue. The 'need of the hour' is industry and institutes to work together in strengthening the partnership and to make joint efforts to produce 'world class talent' in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech sector who can take up 'leadership' and 'visionary' roles and would be responsible for shaping the future of these sectors. (The author is an Independent Management Consultant and Ex-Deputy Director, Confederation of Indian Industry(CII),Drugs and Pharma Sector)