Dr. Archana Gajbhiye is currently serving as HOD - Department of Biotechnology at SPSU, Udaipur. She has more than 18 years of work experience including teaching, research and industrial experience. She was awarded RGNF JRF and SRF by the UGC during her Doctorate degree program and has been a recipient of Best Poster Award in the International Conference at Rajiv Gandhi Biotechnology Centre, RTM Nagpur University. She has supervised several projects and Ph.D. scholars as well. Her research interests include Soil Microbiology, Biofuel production and Medicinal endophytic fungi.

SPSU

What program do you offer that helps students stand apart from the crowd?

“Specialization in Biotechnology courses and related practices”

The Department of Biotechnology offers B. Tech in Biotechnology, M. Tech in Biotechnology with specialization in Plant Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology, and Ph.D Biotechnology as well. All these programs are designed to inculcate the good laboratory practices and skills in the students, to impart the advanced knowledge and technology among them. These make students ready for the relevant industry, and expose them to current research trends so that they are motivated to pursue research as their career. Also, an interdisciplinary learning approach is being provided so as the students are motivated to pursue research or be an entrepreneur.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt?

“Wider and highly practical skill based learning model”

The scope of Biotechnology is tremendous in core and interdisciplinary areas. Thus, the curriculum of the degree programmes offered by our department has inclusion of the basic, applied and interdisciplinary courses. The programmes follow a choice based credit system where the students get the liberty and opportunity to choose the courses of their interest. They can also earn extra credits through the studies beyond the syllabus. The students get industrial exposure during their summer training. Also they get the opportunity to work upon problem based or research based or model based projects that help in developing the skills in the students to become employable. Also, we keep a track on the updates in the respective areas of Biotechnology to make students aware of the latest developments. 

What will you say are the best practices in the course you’re offering?

“Academia, Industrial and Research in a collaborative manner”

The most important aspect of the best practice at the Department of Biotechnology is the curriculum which is updated regularly as per the industry requirement and need of the day. Apart from this, there are industrial exposures provided to the students. The laboratories of the department are well equipped with state of the art instrumentation facilities and students are thoroughly taught to handle and operate the equipment. Every individual gets the opportunity to perform the laboratory experiments and projects independently as well as in groups. This helps them develop the skills to work individually as well as in teams. The students are encouraged to write and submit the student’s projects for funding through business incubators and other funding agencies. The teaching- learning approach followed by our department is outcome-based education, including the classroom teaching and active learning modes, and therefore it enhances the overall growth of the students. We provide guest lectures by industry and research experts as well. 

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How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

“Multifold course disciplines and professional skill development”

The program offers the choice of courses in professional elective disciplines such as genomics, proteomics, food technology etc. and interdisciplinary courses in University level optional courses. Also, the B.Tech. degree programme has the compulsory project components. The mentorship provided to individual students is another best practice being followed in the University. These program specific learning as well as the beyond the syllabus activities help in grooming the students in developing the skills such as creativity, problem solving, working individually as well as in teams, communication, ethics and others. Moreover, the CBCS and OBE both empower the students in enhancing their technical skills as well as soft skills.

How did you train your faculty to deliver this program to the students?

“Active preparedness to deliver the course content”

The course curriculum is discussed with the faculties and the plans to deliver the content is developed where the continuous assessment of students are designed proactively. Training is given to the faculties on the delivery of the courses through classroom teaching techniques, use of PowerPoint presentations, use of videos, case studies, research articles and other study materials for active learning. The faculties also undergo Faculty Development Programme to develop their teaching learning methodologies. Faculties are also trained to conduct the continuous assessment through various approaches such as quizzes, assignments, projects, exams etc. to evaluate the abilities of the students according to the Bloom's Taxonomy Levels.

What approach do you have for the placement of students in your University?

“Pre-placement preparation and management”

We conduct mock interviews and tests of the students to prepare them for placement. We have a faculty coordinator from the department to work in coordination with the Training and Placement Cell, Department of English and Management to prepare the students for HR rounds. The faculty coordinator also takes care of organising the industry visits in coordination with TPC.

How do you tend to build an industry-connect with this program?

“Training and internships at various industries”

The students have to undergo Summer Internship which is an essential component of their program to provide an industrial exposure to the students. The students get an opportunity to take training at Pharmaceutical Industries, Agriculture Industries, Dairy Industries, Research Institutes etc. The students have taken internships at ONGC ltd. Ahmedabad, Akums Pharmaceuticals, Haridwar, Bioinnovate, Gurgaon, North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Gandhinagar, Gujrat, IIT, Guwahati, Assam, Amul Dairy, Anand, TCG LifeSciences Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata etc. The students also participate in the inter-college presentation competitions, sport events and other activities help them to learn inclusive real-industrial atmosphere, meet professionals and inculcate a competitive spirit.

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

“Diverse range of employability, entrepreneurship and research sectors”

There are multiple options available for students aspiring to make a career in biotechnology. One can choose in Agriculture, Microbiology, Genetic Engineering, Clinical Research, Biomedical engineering, Immunology, Food Technology, Biochemical Production Industry, Marine Biotechnology, Bioinformatics etc. out of various options available in the biotechnology field. Students have the option in chemical industries, bioprocessing industries, and other related organizations as well. In the area of Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, Genetic Engineering, Biological Sciences, Healthcare, Food Processing Industry, Food and Chemical Industries seek Biotechnology Professionals for handling positions of Production Engineers, Quality Control Analyst, Food Inspector & Quality Control Officer, Research Scientist etc. Many sectors are engaged in the research processes like bioinformatics, textile, industry, cosmetic firm, health care items, etc. One can opt for becoming an Bio-entrepreneur also. 

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What are your responsibilities being the Head of the Department?

“Leading and managing the smooth functioning”

Firstly I organise and coordinate all the departmental activities which involves the allocation of the subjects amongst the faculties, supervising the teaching learning process throughout the sessions. I work in coordination with the faculty; distribution of the tasks, assigning the tasks to the faculties and providing necessary guidance to them. I also try to bridge the communication between the Department, and the Dean and Higher officials of the University.