THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: NR Mahalingam, COO of Kerala State IT Mission has been appointed as the new Technopark chief. Rajiv Vasudevan, CEO of Kerala's Technopark has been designated as the Officer-on-Special Duty for biotechnology parks of the Kerala Government. The new appointments are likely to come into effect this month itself.

Vasudevan said that the new assignment was broader in scope and more challenging in its very nature. It involves setting up of an organization to promote a biotechnology park from scratch, interacting with, union government, state government departments and industry.

Once the Park is established Vasudevan is likely to be its first CEO. The news of Vasudevan's appointment comes close on the heels of the State Government's announcement to frame a biotechnology policy and set up a biotechnology park. As per the announcement made in the budget, the park would have facilities for technology incubation center, pilot plant and facilities for walk in and manufacture and would provide a significant impetus to biotech-based industry in the state.

The initiatives contemplated include the setting up of a bio-resources bank, bio-informatic centers and a wide area network for research institutions. An allocation of Rs 1.50 crore was announced in the Budget.