Rajiv Gandhi Centre For Biotechnology¸ Thiruvananthapuram

PHONE No.: 0471 2529400¸ 2347975, ,

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEB SITE: www.rgcb.res.in

APPROVED BY/ AFFILIATED TO:

GENERAL HELPLINE NO.: 9899104337

COURSES:

PH D


(Institute in Kerala)

DESCRIPTION :

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) is a growing phenomenon. Located in Thiruvananthapuram¸ the capital city of Kerala¸ RGCB began in 1990 amongst humble surroundings as a small charitable society called the Centre for Development of Education¸ Science and Technology (C-DEST). In 1991¸ recognizing its potential¸ the C-DEST was made a Grant-in-Aid" institute of the Government of Kerala and renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Development of Education¸ Science and Technology (RGC-DEST)¸ becoming the first institute in the country to be named after Sri Rajiv Gandhi¸ former Prime Minster of India. On April 18¸ 1994 the Government of Kerala took a landmark decision to restructure the institute into a comprehensive biotechnology center and thus was created the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology. The institute was first managed by the Government of Kerala's Committee for Science and Technology and Environment (STEC) and subsequently by the Kerala State Council for Science¸ Technology and Environment. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on November 18¸ 1995 by the then Prime Minister of India¸ Sri. Narasimha Rao. Exactly seven years later¸ on November 18¸ 2002 the then President of India¸ Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam dedicated the comprehensive center to the nation. Under the guidance of the founding director¸ Dr M. Ramachandra Das and his successor Dr R.V. Thampan¸ RGCB rapidly grew in stature¸ infrastructure and research output. It had now also become apparent that the resources available to RGCB from the state government could not match the strides of progress the institute was making. Kerala's political leadership displayed its maturity and vision¸ with three successive Chief Ministers¸ Mr. E.K. Nayanar¸ Mr. A.K Antony and Mr. Oommen Chandy persisting with the Union government to develop RGCB into a national centre. By now the institute had also attained national and international recognition with leading discoveries and findings in medical and plant biotechnology."