DBT-STAR
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, had launched the ‘Star College Scheme’ for improving logical, critical, and innovative thinking and to improve and inculcate ‘hands-on’ experimental experience with approaches towards technology development needed for biological studies at the undergraduate level in life sciences.
It helps in the improvement of skills among teachers through FDPs, workshops, improved curriculum, and practical exposure to the students by providing specialised access to infrastructure and consumables. The support strengthens the physical infrastructure in laboratories, libraries, and teaching aids, and promotes networking with neighbouring institutes. Hands-on training, product-oriented projects, and projects of day-to-day relevance enhance students’ interest in pursuing science at the undergraduate level.
It is a pan-India scheme that helps and encourages more students to take up higher education in science. The scheme paves the way for the improvement of basic sciences and for tackling the new challenges in the field of biology and computational science among the young minds augmented by upgraded and modern equipment, and to procure other essentials to enhance the practical skills.
Apart from financial support, the college benefits tremendously from guidance received in Advisory Committee Meetings, mentoring, Task Force Meetings, and learning from peers in other colleges.
Objectives
- To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.
- To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands-on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
- To provide better library facilities to students and teachers
- To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighbouring institutions and other laboratories.
- To conduct specialized training programmes for faculty improvement to optimize technical capabilities
- To increase the capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading of existing facilities.
- To provide students with access to and exposure to research laboratories and industries in the country.
- To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) / kits for practicals.
The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, has sanctioned the “Star College Scheme” in 2026 for TWO undergraduate science departments – Biotechnology and Computer Science. These departments involved in the DBT -STAR College programme have been executing the scheme, focusing on the targets and objectives for all the Stakeholders.
Salient Features
- Updated curriculum with adequate emphasis on Practical training.
- Laboratory infrastructure was upgraded to enhance individual experimentation and analytical skills.
- Laboratory manuals that include prescribed procedures and etiquette that need to be followed in a laboratory.
- Organize capacity-building programmes for teaching and non-teaching staff.
- Organize Workshops, Hands-on-Training, Industrial training, and Seminars/Conferences for teaching and non-teaching staff members.
- Thematic Extension and Outreach activities to empower the community in the vicinity.
- Summer training programmes / Projects at National Laboratories and Industries to conceive viable solutions for local needs.
- Instil research acumen among UG students to pursue higher studies in the field of Life Science.
- Promote Entrepreneurship and role-ready students.
- Research projects and collaborative activities for potential students to explore research in niche areas of national interest.
- NANDHA ARTS AND SCIENCE COLLEGE (Autonomous), Pitchandampalayam Post, Koorapalayam Pirivu, Erode – 638052. Tamil Nadu, India.
- +914294222788,
- principal@nandhaarts.org
- Chairperson: S. Manoharan, Principal, Nandha Arts and Science College, Erode, Tamil Nadu.
- Star College Coordinator: Dr. K. Abdhul, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Biotechnology
- DBT Representative(s):
- Garima Gupta, Scientist – ‘F’, Star College Scheme In-charge, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi.
- External Experts:
- R. Rajendran, Former Principal and Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, PSG College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
- R. Dhanabalan, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, RVS College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
- Department Coordinators:
- M. Poonkothai, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, NASC.
- T. Parimalam, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Computer Science, NASC.
- Department Members:
- S. Karthik, Assistant Professor
- V. Senthil Kumar, Assistant Professor
- K. Karthik, Assistant Professor
- K. Saravanan, Assistant Professor
- S. S. Naveen, Assistant Professor
- D. Sriya, Assistant Professor
- S. Sarumathi, Assistant Professor
- K. R. Ananth, Assistant Professor
- M. Vijayakumar, Assistant Professor
- D. Rajakumari, Assistant Professor
- M. Karthik, Assistant Professor
- R. Deepa, Assistant Professor
- K. Saroja, Assistant Professor
- K. N. Sivakumar, Assistant Professor
- P. Nirmala Devi, Assistant Professor
- P. Mohanraj, Assistant Professor
- P. Thenmozhi, Assistant Professor
- M. Hemalatha, Assistant Professor