Bangladeshi Biotechnologists Organize Roundtable with Journalists

Bangladeshi electronic media icon Mr. Shyke Seraj committed to popularize biotech products in both electronic and print media for its wide awareness building and acceptance to stakeholders. He made this commitment  while coordinating the recent roundtable on “Biotechnology in Development: World Scenario and Bangladesh” organized by the Young Biotechnologists Association of Bangladesh and Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB) at the VIP Lounge of National Press Club, Dhaka. About 150 participants representing policymakers, politicians, economists, business entrepreneurs, academia, and journalists attended this roundtable.

Several recommendations were adopted during the roundtable, among them:  to set up an independent National Commission on Biotechnology (NCBT); a National Institute of Biotechnology to be made an autonomous body and placed under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s portfolio; strengthening of public-private partnership; at least 1% of the GDP be spent on promotion and development of education and biotech research; at least 50% of the high officials be recruited from science graduates; and print and electronic media to focus more on biotech products including GM crops. 

For more information email Dr. Khondoker Nasiruddin of the Bangladesh Biotechnology Information Center at nasirbiotech@yahoo.com