BANGALORE: Lauding the achievements of students at the annual convocation of the Institute of Bio-informatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Dr MK Bhan, secretary, DBT, government of India told them to inculcate the spirit of innovation.

"It is not investment which is the problem. It is the lack of innovation and discovery that is the issue. We lack the will to persist when difficulties arise," he said.

He told students to make the most of the current atmosphere in India where there is mobility, flexibility and possibility. " India had forgotten to reinvent and reengineer. But Bangalore has demonstrated the power of reinvention," he said.

He called for institutions like the IBAB to try and balance the path between cooperation and competitiveness.

The third annual convocation awarded certificates to post graduate students in bioinformatics and biotechniques. Prof N Yathindra, director, IBAB said that the institute was trying to formalize the degree recognition process. Scholarships and medals sponsored by biotech companies like Millipore, Sartorius and the Chief Minister were awarded to meritorious students.

He also hoped that the institute would move into the proposed biotech park campus- "Bangalore Helix" in Electronic City next year. He also requested the biotech industry to continue augmenting IBAB by providing infrastructure and support.

Students who have completed the course have been placed at various biotech companies like Gangagen, Biocon, Millipore and others.