The Neotia University (TNU), a one-year-old private university and located some 30 km south of Kolkata, has taken up two beyond-campus initiatives in association with consulting firm Frost & Sullivan Inc (F&S).

According to Ashok Kolaskar, Vice-Chancellor of TNU, the first project relates to the university’s biotechnology human resources development and linking it to creation of bio-technology parks. The second project is of an entrepreneurship course.

Frost & Sullivan would lend its expertise in planning and developing biotechnology parks in the first project. F&S, which has developed a module for entrepreneurship development, would also collaborate in the second project, Aroop Zutshi, Global President & Managing Parner of the consulting firm said.

The two organisations plan to work with State governments as well as with the Centre’s Department of Biotechnology for the creation of parks. TNU is considering location of its first park either in West Bengal or in Rajasthan.

3-year timeline “We are targeting a three-year timeframe for putting up such a park” Kolaskar told BusinessLine . TNU currently runs MSc and BTech courses in biotechnology.

TNU’s role would be to create industry-specific and industry-ready technicians, engineers and researchers.

F&S , which is a partner in the Centre’s start-up project, would modify its entrepreneur development course for the collaborative programme for imparting through TNU.

The entrepreneurship programme would help students in identifying innovative ideas and turning them to market. Rob Cayzer, Director — Growth Innovation Leadership of F&S said that firm’s course was “outcome-oriented”. The initiative would ensure handholding right from the stage of business plans to gaining official support and getting through clearances from authorities.

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