Gandhinagar, Dec 29 (NationPress) A recent report from NITI Aayog on the globalisation of higher education has commended the Gujarat government for its visionary move in establishing the Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) at GIFT City nearly five years ago. The report describes this initiative as a model that aligns seamlessly with India's national vision for internationalising higher education.

As indicated in the report, Gujarat made a significant stride in 2020 by launching GBU in Gandhinagar, putting itself ahead of many other states in fostering global academic partnerships and retaining Indian talent.

This initiative effectively actualises NITI Aayog's vision of transforming GIFT City into a hub for international universities and foreign campuses.

In collaboration with the University of Edinburgh (UoE) in Scotland, GBU has established itself as the world's first dedicated biotechnology university.

Spanning nearly 23 acres at GIFT City, the university boasts cutting-edge research facilities valued at over Rs 80 crore, with an international campus currently under construction at an anticipated cost of Rs 200 crore.

This integrated ecosystem, which fuses global academic heritage with top-tier Indian infrastructure, has been marked by NITI Aayog as a standard for higher education reform.

The report, which is anchored in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, and the 'Viksit Bharat@2047' vision, highlights a pressing issue: for each foreign student who comes to India, 28 Indian students study abroad.

This trend results in an estimated outflow of nearly two percent of India's GDP.

Gujarat's initiative to establish GBU aims to tackle this challenge by providing world-class education within the country.

Currently, GBU offers Master's programs in various specialisations such as plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology, medical biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology, all designed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh.

The academic framework includes comprehensive examinations, practical training focused on real-world challenges, a nine-month research dissertation, and an innovative program allowing the top 25 students annually to undertake 12–14 weeks of research internships in Edinburgh.

Admissions are conducted through the competitive Graduate Aptitude Test–Biotechnology (GAT-B), ensuring a merit-based selection process.

In 2025, students from 17 Indian states gained admission to 100 seats, reinforcing NITI Aayog's focus on attracting elite talent through quality and accessibility.

Senior faculty from the University of Edinburgh contribute over 90 days each year to GBU, ensuring quality assurance and strategic guidance.

Each semester, approximately 12 visiting faculty teach advanced electives, including synthetic biology, vaccine design, protein engineering, and microbial eco-physiology.

This academic and research environment has produced significant outcomes.

As many as 37 student teams from GBU have secured over Rs 2 crore in startup and entrepreneurship grants under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP).

With guidance from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and support from the Science and Technology Department, GBU has obtained more than 70 extramural research grants worth over Rs 40 crore, generating employment for over 50 researchers.

The university has also accepted over 40 PhD scholars through various fellowships, with 20 receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 20,000 from the Gujarat government, enhancing the state's research ecosystem.

Reflecting on GBU's recent achievements, Deputy Registrar and Head of Academics, Vimal Shah, stated that 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the institution's global reputation.

Professor Nisha Singh co-led a flagship project from the Central government focusing on nanoparticle therapy for Alzheimer's, improving neuronal cell survival rates from 40–50 percent to nearly 90 percent in preclinical models, with findings published in Wiley's Small journal.

Additionally, a research team led by Rohini Nair secured Rs 1.3 crore from a prominent NGO for menstrual health diagnostics in underserved regions.

During the second convocation held last November, degrees were awarded to 94 M.Sc. graduates from the second batch, with five students earning gold medals.

Recently, Director General Professor Subir S. Majumdar received a Lifetime Achievement Award at LASAICON-2025, further highlighting the institution's leadership.

GBU has also garnered significant national attention by winning five grants in the inaugural call of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Moreover, the university secured three ARG and two Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) grants, showcasing a strong capacity for attracting competitive science funding.

In just the past two to three months, GBU has received Rs 8–10 crore in new research funding, marking a proud moment for Gujarat's higher education landscape.

By merging the 440-year academic legacy of the University of Edinburgh with the innovative infrastructure of GIFT City, Gujarat has crafted a replicable model for retaining intellectual capital within India.

The NITI Aayog report highlights this approach as evidence of Gujarat's leadership in the internationalisation of higher education, positioning the state as a leader in enhancing India's global academic presence.