The Dept. of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a scheme “Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level” for improving critical thinking and ‘hands-on’ experimental work at the undergraduate (college) level in sciences. It is expected to encourage, more students to take up higher education in science. DBT will identify colleges with ambition and potential for excellence and provide academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and unique exposure of students to experimental science.
Objectives:
- To strengthen academic and physical infrastructure to achieve excellence in teaching and training.
- To enhance the quality of learning by introducing “hands-on” exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools.
- To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and laboratories.
- To conduct specialized faculty training programs for skill enhancement.
- To improve core instrumentation by procuring new equipment and upgrading existing facilities.
- To provide exposure to students by connecting them with research labs and industries.
- To help develop standard curricula and SOPs/kits for practicals.
- To provide better library facilities for students and teachers.
Benefits:
Financial Assistance:
- One-time non-recurring grant of ₹10,00,000 per science department.
- Recurring grant of ₹3,00,000 per science department per year for three years.
- Contingency grant:
- ₹1,00,000 per college
- ₹1,00,000 per year for the mentoring and monitoring of the departments
For equipment:
- Routine equipment for practicals (up to ₹1,00,000).
- Expensive equipment (between ₹1,00,000 and ₹3,00,000) requires prior approval from DBT.
For Students:
- Practical training prescribed in the curriculum.
- Minor research projects and conceptual clarity through hands-on training.
- Summer training with exposure to research projects.
- Visits to industries, research institutions, and academic places.
- Lectures by eminent scientists, career counseling, and awareness about future career options in science.
For Faculty:
- Faculty development programs.
- Participation in summer courses to enhance teaching skills.
- Curriculum changes to include more practical work.
- Feedback system for evaluating faculty and teaching environment.
Expected Outcomes:
Annual Outcomes:
- Increase in practical sessions conducted by students.
- Hands-on training to enhance understanding of theoretical concepts.
- Student involvement in minor research projects.
- Faculty and laboratory staff training programs.
- Students’ participation in scientific writing and journal club activities.
Consolidated Outcomes (after 3 years):
- Increase in admission cut-offs and reduction in dropout rates.
- More faculty-generated research grants to support the scheme.
- Mentoring of colleges from underprivileged areas.
- Development of SOPs, lab manuals, and their upload on the DBT website.
Eligibility:
For Colleges:
- Minimum 4-5 undergraduate courses in basic sciences such as Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, etc.
- Adequate faculty expertise in each science department.
- Independent laboratories with sufficient capacity for practicals.
- Basic infrastructure like lecture halls, computers, internet access, and library facilities.
- The college must be a Government or Government-aided institution or autonomous and included under Section 2(f)/12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956.
For Colleges that have received support:
- They can apply for support for additional departments after completing one cycle of 3 years.
Application Process:
Online Application:
- Applications are invited via the Epromis Portal (refer to the advertisement).
- Submit the hardcopy of the proposal signed and stamped, along with the necessary documents, to:
Dr. Garima Gupta, Scientist ‘E’
Star College Scheme, HRD Division, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Block- 3, 5th Floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003
Mode of Selection:
Applications are invited through:
- Advertisement on the DBT website.
- Direct correspondence with colleges.
- Nominations by vice-chancellors.
Applications will be reviewed by the Task Force, with a possible site visit for evaluation. The Task Force’s decision will be final.
Parameters to Measure Success:
- Increase in hands-on experimental work by students.
- Better access to laboratory and bioinformatics infrastructure for students.
- Improvement in access to science-related journals.
- Percentage of students pursuing post-graduate science education.
- Feedback from students, faculty, and employers about the effectiveness of the program.
Documents Required:
- A valid 2(f) & 12(b) Certificate.
- Rural Area Certificate for applicants from rural areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When is the DBT Star College Scheme call for happening?
Direct correspondence via the DBT website notifies the call for applications.
Q2: What are the references of the “Urban” and “Rural” classifications of colleges?
Location determines the college categorization; urban and rural colleges fall under various classifications.
Q3: Is it feasible for a college to have new departments included within the present funding period?
Indeed, whenever one funding cycle (3 years) ends, a college can ask for extra departments.
Q4: Under a Star College Scheme, who can act as a Coordinator?
The Coordinator has to be a faculty member with expertise in the field of suggested support and leadership qualities.
Q5: Over the support phase, does DBT provide any direction?
Indeed, DBT provides constant direction together with mentorship and monitoring.
Q6: Does the DBT Star College Scheme provide any mechanism for mentoring institutions looking for support?
DBT does indeed help mentoring colleges with peer learning and expert visits.
Q7: For what purposes does this program aim?
Improving the physical and intellectual facilities for science education and exposing students to practical training and research is the main goals here.
Q8: Under this system, what benefits do pupils find?
Students receive practical instruction, research project participation, and industrial tour and lecture exposure to eminent experts.
Q9: Under this system, what benefits exist from faculties?
Development programs, summer course enrollment, and curriculum development are offered to faculties.
Q10: Where can I find, state/UT-wise, a list of colleges sponsored under this program?
The DBT website features a list here.
Q11: Where can I find the scheme’s terms and conditions’ link?
The official advertisement and DBT rules include the terms and conditions.