Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), a non-profit, non-government organization, is established in 2005 as registered society under the Indian Societies Act. The main objective of FABA is to provide a common platform for development of biotechnology sector across the globe, particularly in the Asian countries. BioAsia has been one of its brain child and later became the flagship event of State Government and is being organised in Hyderabad annually for the past 17 years.
FABA has been organizing seminars, workshops and distinguished lectures not only in India but also in several Asian countries. These activities over the years enabled in cross-border marketing of products, technology transfers and R & D collaborations.
The Problem of Trained Manpower
FABA has recognised the non-availability of trained manpower as the biggest impediment in the growth of pharma and biotech industry as the graduates coming out of academic institutions, particularly from tier II and III towns, lack specific skills needed. It also recognised the need for appropriate career guidance among the fresh graduates to choose right career based on their strengths and interests. With a view to address this issue, FABA took the initiative and interacted with its stakeholders and came up with the idea of launching skill development courses to impart required skill sets so as to make them readily employable and career guidance workshops/webinars.
To undertake these activities the association has established ‘FABA Academy’ that was formally launched by Dr. M. Sivakumaran, Director of Aurobindo Pharma on 19th Feb, 2020, during BioAsia 2020. The activities of Academy will be scaled in a phased manner and will be run in close association with industry.
FABA Academy Advisory Committee
In order to identify the appropriate courses and design the curricula in consultation with industry, an Advisory Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. D. Yogeswar Rao and members drawn from the academy, industry and Government agencies. The advisory committee along with Prof. P. Reddanna, Executive President, Prof. Vijaykumar, Secretary General and other Executive Council members of FABA met for the first time on 19th February at HICC during the course of BioAsia 2020 and deliberated on various issues related to skill development and career guidance programmes.
