India's premier National Research Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) has entered into a partnership with German science & Technology company Merck to establish a 'High End Skill Development Centre' in Chandigarh.
The centre will be equipped with the next generation technologies such as gene editing and single-molecule biomarker detection. It will help accelerate healthcare research and train Indian students and researchers in latest life science technologies and make them industry ready.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed by CSIR-IMTECH and Merck. Under this MoU, both of them will use their expertise in Life Science to build a centre that will help researchers and students develop advanced competencies and analytical skills required for life science research.
Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director General of CSIR & Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and representatives of Merck at the CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, said, "This collaboration resonates with the Government of India's mission of 'Skill India' and would be a new benchmark for upscaling employability skills for graduates and post graduates who are aspiring to make a career in the life science sector."
Dr. Anil Koul, Director of CSIR-IMTECH, also stated, "Collaboration with leading companies like Merck will bring a paradigm shift in the way knowledge alliances like these are created in public-private partnership mode."
