Singapore: Malaysian life science park, Bio-Xcell, has collaborated with the Industry Center of Excellence (ICoE) in biotechnology, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Government of Malaysia, to develop quality talent in the nation.

The alliance will focus on building a pipeline of quality graduates for specific industries. The ICoE was officiated by YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Minister of Higher Education, at the Manipal International University (MIU) campus in Nilai recently.

Malaysian Bio-XCell, India's Biocon and CJ (CheilJedang) from Korea are the industry pioneers for the ICoE Biotechnology initiative. University Malaysia Pahang and Manipal International University are the lead universities to spearhead this ICoE Biotechnology initiative, connecting industry players with other IHLs and related agencies with the aim to boost human capital development, R&D and commercialisation in the biotechnology sector.

"This partnership will further strengthen the private-public sector partnerships and scientific collaborations between Malaysian centers of excellence and global businesses to accelerate Malaysia's advancement in the biotechnology industry," said Mr Rizatuddin Ramli, CEO, Bio-XCell.

Between 2005-11, the biotechnology industry has contributed 2.2 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in his officiating speech said that the government has set a growth target of five percent by 2020 and this industry is expected to create over 280,000 jobs by 2020. To strengthen the industry, the National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) was launched in 2005. Currently in its second phase, the 'Science to Business Phase', the NBP serves as the main guiding principle for the growth of biotechnology in Malaysia.