An insight into KIIT SCHOOL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Life here in KSBT is different from what we have usually faced. We live in hostels (most of us) and do extensive lab work and yet we never miss home because more or less all the important days are celebrated here with grandeur and pomp. We sure have lots to study and work but again we have fun hostel night celebrations. Life is different, life is better.

The curriculum here gives a very holistic approach to the subject. Besides absolutely biological subjects, subjects like computer applications, electrical and electronics engineering etc are also a part of the curriculum and that broadens the horizon of the students. Besides, the well planned curriculum the faculty members here are highly experienced and have worked in the industry themselves before they turned professors. The entire course is designed so beautifully, that people seeking a career in either industry or academia can thrive well. Exams here are not at all hectic. It's pretty easy, especially after you've appeared for boards. We have one mid semester exam (30 marks) followed by an end semester exam (50 marks). The remaining 20 marks are internal which is awarded either by conducting internal class tests or assignments. Lab classes here are paid much attention to. We do have extensive lab classes. However, they aren't hectic because we can take small breaks in between.

The placement here is 100%. Everybody is placed by the time they graduate. Although here academia is encouraged and students are encouraged to take up higher studies post their graduation. However, we have companies like GSK who come to recruit our students. Another huge opportunity that students of KSBT get is the Annual Biotech Conclave that takes place every year. Here the students get to interact and listen to people who have been in the industry for a long time. It's a great platform for bringing academia and industry together.

We have our techno-cultural KIITFEST that gets participation and support from across the country and world. We have stars like Amit Trivedi and Ritviz perform. The winners receive cash prizes. We also have KINESIS which is a part of KIITFEST itself, but more like a departmental fest with biotechnology as the central theme. Besides the biotech department, the other departments of the university have their own departmental fests that sees massive participation from the biotech department. We celebrate Mahalaya, Holi, Lohri, Pongal, Bihu, Halloween etc. There are absolutely no such festivals that is not celebrated here with grandeur.

The only possible drawback of this place is the fee. If you come from a well off family and you happen to be the only child, in that case it's not much of a big deal. Otherwise, it's an expensive college to be in. The tution fee itself is 1.5 lakhs per semesters and we have 10 semester. To add to it, the hostel and food together add another at least 37k (20k for a three sharing, non AC room + 17k for food). The hostel fee structure is as follows: 20k - non Ac, 3 sharing 40k - Ac 3, sharing 60k - Ac, 2 sharing, attached bath (difficult for girls to get)

Our university has several MOUs signed with various other universities, both nationally and internationally. This helps us during our internships and dissertation. Also, the Erasmus exchange programme is active and one can use it for studying a particular semester in some European university. A scholarship of 20k is provided to the person who tops the batch for a given semester. Also, based on the entrance examination rank, a scholarship is provided to the top 10 students.

Besides the well thriving academics, KIIT UNIVERSITY is famous for its sports endeavours. It is the host university for Khelo India University Games, 2020. Amiya Mallik, the star athlete represents KIIT nationally and internationally. Also, the ace sprinter Dutee Chand. We have gym facilities in almost all campuses and several grounds for cricket, football training. KSBT has a majority of female population. We have annual hostel nights and we celebrate holi on two consecutive days - one day with the entire faculty and all students together and another one in the hostels. We also have a cultural society called Rangmanch that promotes cultural activities and a literary society called Escalada that brings out the artist in all of us.

Since most of the students are hostel boarders, they automatically form a connection with their seniors and juniors alike that remains for the rest of their lives. When the seniors actually step into the real world and start experiencing life first hand, they tend to share their experiences with the juniors who are yet to face the world in its true meaning. Also, when we have our seniors in the same field, it acts as a bridge that connects us to the hard core field.

KIIT SCHOOL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY is a big name when it comes to studying biotechnology in eastern India. Besides the updated laboratories and accomplished faculty, KIIT TBI (Technology and Business Incubator),the largest business incubator in East India, is also located in the same campus that not only broadens our perspective towards the field but also provides us with the platform and support for opening our own start up. The process of admission remains quite unchanged from the conventional. An online form filling procedure is succeeded by an online entrance examination at some centre which the candidate can select as per their convenience. Post the examination, the results are declared and if you qualify, they call you for a round of counselling where you finally get confirmation and you officially become a part of KSBT.

The faculty here is extremely experienced. Some of them have years of experience in the industry, while some of them have been remotely associated with mega projects. For example Professor K K Jena who teaches plant biotechnology has been the pioneer of the "Golden Rice Project".