History

Year of Establishment : 1997

History of the department :

The Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (GCGEB) has been named after the legendary Dr. Biresh Chandra Guha, one of the most celebrated teachers of Calcutta University and the father of modern Biochemistry in India. As a fitting tribute to this great visionary who laid the foundation stone for teaching and research in Biochemistry and Biotechnology in the country, Calcutta University established the Dr. B. C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology with the unflinching support of Dr. (Mrs.) Phulrenu Guha, the illustrious wife of late Prof. Guha as well as an active social worker and an ex- Minister of Social Welfare, Govt. of India, who sold her personal properties including her residential building to donate money (Rs. 35 lakhs) to the University of Calcutta for the development of the Dr. B. C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. Dr. B. C. Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology was established in 1991 (resolution of the Syndicate, item No. 3, dated 30.10.90 followed by resolution No. 6, dated 27. 8. 1991). The activity of the Centre was initiated by further donations from students, associates and well wishers of Late Prof. Guha.

The M.Sc Program in Biotechnology of the Calcutta University started in the humble 1200 square feet room in the University campus in Ballygunge (Taraknath Palit Sikhsha Prangan) on December 31, 1997 with intake of six students.

The Centre as well its M.Sc Program in Biotechnology gradually received worldwide recognition and accolade and with that came an encouraging flow of moral and financial support both from abroad and the Government of West Bengal. This witnessed the establishment of an entirely new wing (4th floor) in the same campus opposite to the existing Geography Department.

The new wing, built to meet the needs of state-of-the-art research in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering was inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya on March 22, 2005 and marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in the history of Calcutta University and its research and teaching program in applied bioscience. Since the onset, the department caters 10 students per batch who receive a masters degree in Biotechnology upon completion of the course.

In the year 2008, a new Department of Biotechnology was formed which merged with the GCGEB for its operations and administrative control.

Special award/ recognition from UGC or related statutory body : Among the departments of the University declared University with Potential for Excellence by UGC

Links :

• http://www.csirhrdg.res.in/ CSIR Govt of India
• http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/DBT Govt of India
• www.ugc.ac.in UGC India
• Educational Sites: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ National Center for Biotechnology Information
• http://www.ias.ac.in/ Indian Academy of Sciences

Contact

Campus : Taraknath Palit Prangan (Ballygunge Science College)

Address for communication : Department of Biotechnology and Dr. B. C Guha Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 4th Floor, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700019