User:Nmlhsn/Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (জিন প্রকৌশল ও জীবপ্রযুক্তি) is an applied science department in the University of Dhaka. The technology used in genetic engineering is generally aimed at harnessing the natural biological capabilities of microbial, plant and animal cells for the benefit of people. This technology, more specifically termed "Biotechnology", couples scientific and engineering principles with commercial considerations to develop and improve products and processes made from living systems. In Bangladesh, University of Dhaka has taken the step to establish a new department "Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology" aiming at generating skilled manpower with good theoretical and practical background. In a word, genetic engineering and Biotechnology is one of the thriving fields of science and technology in our motherland.

History
It was about 14 years since some veteran and dedicated teachers began their difficult journey to establish the nascent department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in January 2001. This department is the smallest (so far) but brightest department in the University of Dhaka. Initially it has been, however, housed at the science workshop which was situated just opposite to Curzon Hall. The department has finally been moved to its new place on the 5th floor of the Science-Complex building on December 9, 2009. At the end of January 2011, this department celebrated its 10th anniversary of establishment.

Undergraduate Program
Every year, after passing the Higher School Certificate (HSC), nearly 70,000 applicants from all over the country sit for the university entrance examination. The topmost students get the opportunity to study at this department. Each batch of this department is named with the prefix GEB and a number, such as GEB-15 (the latest batch).

In the four-years BS course, comprehensive education is offered in all aspects of modern genetic engineering and biotechnology. The BS program combines theory and hands-on laboratory training to the students. These include biotechnology, basic sciences such as biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology and immunology, applied sciences such as industrial biotechnology and laboratory techniques, and environmental biotechnology.

Masters
One year M.S. course in this department is of letter grading system.

There is only thesis group and no general group until further notification. There is a total of 30 credits for the program. The course distribution is as follows:

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Recently, there has been an opportunity created to accomplished the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from this department. Students of the departments of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology, Fisheries, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Food Science/Food Biotechnology, who have completed their four or three years honors and one year Masters from the University of Dhaka or from Universities recognized by the University of Dhaka are eligible to apply to get admitted into this program. MBBS and MA degree holders of Universities, Colleges or other institutions recognized by the University of Dhaka are also eligible to apply for MPhil admission. Course work is mandatory without exception for all categories of students registering for the MPhil degree. It has to be made abundantly clear that all admissions/registrations program into MPhil will have to satisfy the minimum requirements set by the Academic Council of the university and that is, the intending candidates will have to have minimum second divisions with at least 50% marks in all prior examinations or a minimum Of CGPA of 3.5 out of 5.0 or 3.0 out of 4.0. Excepting the students of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Dhaka, all other students seeking admission into the MPhil should appear in an Admission Test arranged by the Department. A minimum of 50% score is required by the students to qualify for admission into the MPhil degree.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
All students of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology who have completed four years Honors and one year Masters are eligible to get admitted/registered directly into the PhD program. These students will not have to undertake any course work. Students from related disciplines namely Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany, Fisheries, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Food Science/Food Biotechnology, etc. who have completed four years Honors and one year Masters or an MPhil from the University of Dhaka and from other Public Universities of the country in allied subjects, will also be eligible to get admitted/registered directly into the PhD program. Students of these allied subjects will have to undertake a minimum of eight credit units of courses.

MBBS or MA of the University of Dhaka or of any University recognized by the University of Dhaka will also be eligible to be admitted/registered into the PhD program. However, these students will have to undertake course work as advised any the Academic Committee of the Department (a minimum of eight credits) and in addition these students must have at least two research publications in recognized journals.

Students who have obtained the degrees mentioned above from Private institutions/Universities/Colleges, etc. of home or abroad will be referred to an Equivalence Committee before their applications are considered for admission by the Academic Committee of the Department. lf they are confirmed satisfactory by the Equivalence Committee, the rules and conditions mentioned above in item 2 will be applicable to them. All other students interested to pursue MPhil/PhD program in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology holding BS (Hons)/MS degrees either from home or abroad will be judged according to the merits of each case by the Academic Committee of the Department and will be advised accordingly.

It has to be made abundantly clear that all admissions/registrations program into PhD will have to satisfy the minimum requirements set by the Academic Council of the university and that is, the intending candidates will have to have minimum second divisions with at least 50% marks in all prior examinations or a minimum Of CGPA of 3.5 out of 5.0 or 3.0 out of 4.0. Excepting the students of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Dhaka, all other students seeking admission into the PhD should appear in an Admission Test arranged by the Department. A minimum of 50% score is required by the students to qualify for admission into the PhD degree.

Club & its activities

 * Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Club (GEBC): GEBC is the club of the students of the Department of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka. Established in 2004, this club is working to create awareness about issues related to biotechnology and genetic engineering in different level of society.

Activities by GEBC

 * GEBC page: Fan Page
 * Publishing popular Journal: GEBC is publishing a popular journal named BioGen regularly. This journal contains recent digest of the advancement in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering.
 * Biogen: Biogen is a popular science magazine published by the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Club, University of Dhaka. Being published and authored by biologists, it covers news, articles and features based on the contemporary scientific breakthrough, interviews of renowned scientists and follow-ups on the ways towards country's scientific future in biology. Having started with great promises, the magazine's first few issues were published in Bengali, though it has been published in English in the past few years. The editorial board always try to maintain high quality of the articles while the authors are selected from diverse fields in the arena of biology. The students in university, the researchers and faculty members from home and abroad contribute to the magazine. The students of GEB, members of GEBC, however, play the central role.
 * GEBC seminar series: GEBC regularly arranges seminars with outstanding researchers of home and abroad to disseminate the outcome of the cutting edge research among students and other interested parties.
 * Outreach program: GEBC arranges outreach program to make the school and college going students informed about the basic and applied knowledge on biotechnology and genetic engineering. The 1st round of this year long program took place in collaboration with British Council and the Acme Laboratories.
 * Providing other clubs help: GEBC attends programs arranged by other clubs/institutions of the country to explain biotechnology to the participating students and other people.

10 years celebration
The glorious 10 years of the department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology was marked with a grand celebration on January 2011. Established in 2001, the department has come a long way on its journey from its temporary establishment in Science workshop to its own premises in the 5th floor, Science complex building. The two daylong celebrations were inaugurated at Senate building on 24 January, 2011 where the Minister of Agriculture, Begum Matia Chowdhury was present as the Chief Guest and Deputy Minister of Science, Information and Communication technology, Yafes Osman Chowdhury as the Special guest. The festivities included a scientific session held at senate building, a colorful rally, students outreach program, poster and multimedia presentation at department premises and finally a wonderful cultural program at the TSC auditorium. Through this celebration, GEB department discussed both its achievements in the last 10 years and targets its goals to materialize in future.

Spring festival '12
“Let’s get adorned in the color of spring, not that of UV”- was the theme of the first spring festival or boshonto boron utshob observed on the GEB premises on 14 February, 2012. The colorful celebration started at noon with a delicious lunch and was followed by a variety of cultural programs participated by both the teachers and students. Songs, recitations, drama and many other performances surely brought the cheeriness of spring air within the department. The program ended with a rejuvenating spirit among the participants.