Ahmedabad: Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU), India’s first biotechnology university, announced the appointments of renowned industry luminaries in various positions that would strengthen the leadership team and augment its future aspirations.
The University provides post-graduate and Ph.D. programs in five biotechnology domains – Plant Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, and Industrial Biotechnology. GBU welcomed the first batch of MSc students in August this year.
Commenting on the appointments, a senior official said, “These appointments strengthen our leadership team and prepare us for the next phase of growth of the University. Much respected by the industry for their vision, the newly appointed senior officials will add immense value to all our endeavors.”
Dilip Shanghvi is the founder of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and has extensive industrial experience in the pharmaceutical industry. A first-generation entrepreneur, Shanghvi has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Forbes’ Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2014). As the Chairman of GBU, he will guide the overall initiatives of the University in establishing itself as a preferred destination for students, faculty, and research. Shanghvi was also Chair of the Board of Governors, IIT Bombay from 2016 to 2021 (please check) and also served on the Board of Governors, IIT Madras.
Sudhir Vaid, CMD of Concord Biotech began his career in 1975 as a biotechnologist and went on to work with several leading biotechnology companies in India and abroad, before eventually becoming an entrepreneur in 2000. Backed by 40 years of rich experience in Corporate, R&D, and Consultancy, he will share strategic insights and advisory as Chairman of the Advisory Council.
Subeer S. Majumdar did his Postdoctoral Research at the School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA, and at the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, USA. He was at the National Institute of Immunology Delhi and served as Director of the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology Hyderabad and brings rich leadership experience as well as particular strengths in functional genomics focused on a globally competitive livestock industry. As the Director General of GBU, he will ensure the implementation and execution of a growth-fuelled roadmap.
The Gujarat Biotechnology Policy 2022-27, unveiled this year, is likely to attract capital investment of over Rs 20,000 crore. The Gujarat government is all set to revolutionize the biotechnology sector, and the Gujarat Biotechnology University will be a pioneering catalyst to realize this vision.