"BIO-TECHNOLOGY" The Fourth Revolution of the World"
Biotechnology is based on the science of living organisms. Some people predict that biotechnology would become the fourth major revolution in the world, after the Agricultural, Industrial and Information revolution, by having a big impact on our lives and our communities as well as our economy. The field of Biotechnology is very broad and it includes areas that reach from Bio fuels, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutics, Biomedical devices as well as Human health science.

Laboratory facilities at Box hill-Australia

"Biotechnology is a field of 'Applied Biology' that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in Engineering, Technology, Medicine and other fields requiring Bio-products. Modern use of similar terms includes Genetic Engineering and Cell and Tissue culture Technologies." says Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, the Deputy Chairman of the International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS). "The concept encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms according to human purposes, going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and 'improvement's to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization. This is why people predict that Biotechnology would become the fourth revolution of the world" further explains Dr. Edirisinghe.

Starting a Career in Bio Technology
When most people think of opportunities for careers in Biotechnology, they visualize an image of a scientist in a white coat in a laboratory developing drugs to improve the quality of life. However, Biotechnology has a wide variety of career opportunities, ranging from Sales and Marketing, to Research and Development, to Manufacturing and Quality control and assurance. The Biotechnology industry continues to flourish worldwide. Not only are the total number of Biotechnology companies increasing, but employment in the Biotechnology field continues to grow rapidly as well. Statistics show that, Biotechnology attracted more than $24.8 billion in financing in 2007 and raised more than $100 billion in the five-year span of 2003-2007.

The Career options related to the Biotech Industry extend to universities, medical schools and government labs along with pharmaceutical companies, chemical, agriculture and allied industries. Every well-established Biotech Unit comprises of several divisions that carry out different functions and job roles. Some of them are as follows:

1. Research & Development: Research and Development is the chief component of Biotechnology. So from the entry level to the higher position, every type of Biotech job in this segment is available. You can become a Scientific Director, Scientist, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Bio-informatics Scientist/Engineer, Bio-informatics Analyst/Programmer, Molecular Modeler, Facility Manager/ Supervisor (Animal Sciences), Veterinarian, or Lab Assistant.

2. Operations: Process Development Manager, Process Development Technician, Manufacturing Manager/Manufacturing Technician, Manufacturing Instrumentation/ Calibration Technician, Purchasing Agent/Buyer, Facilities Manager, Toxicologist & Environmental Engineers.

3. Quality: Quality control or quality assurance jobs in Biotech are done in the laboratories. Testing, stability, timely development, quality problems etc are checked. Candidate with experience can be Quality Control (QC) Manager/Supervisor, QC Analyst, Quality Assurance Manager/Supervisor, Quality Assurance (QA) Documentation Specialist and Validation Manager.

4. Clinical Research: Clinical research is the main thing behind any job in Biotechnology. You can become Clinical Research Manager, Bio-statistician, Clinical Data Manager/Associate, Manager of Regulatory Affairs or Medical Affairs Director.

5. Biotech Pharmaceutical Jobs: Clinical pharmacist, Clinical researcher, Pharmaceutical representatives, Process engineer, Quality control manager. This career in biotech is very lucrative but you must have a desire to discover new things that are beneficial for humans & environment.
To become an important part of the fourth revolution you need to have a proper qualification like a Diploma, Associate Degree, BSc Degree or a Post graduate qualification in Biotechnology. These courses equip students with the knowledge and technical skills to work in the biotechnology industry. The BSc degree courses generally include in Microbiology, Molecular genetics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology techniques as core modules and an industry placement becomes vital as it gives the pathway for a job outcome.

Diploma in Laboratory Technology (Specializing in Biotechnology)
To prepare Sri Lankan students for the fourth revolution of the world, International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) the leading Healthcare education provider in Sri Lanka has initiated a pathway programme together with the BOX HILL TAFE Institute of Australia. This programme enables students to obtain a Diploma and then an Associate Degree and finally to achieve a BSc in Biotechnology & Innovation. Box Hill Institute is a leading Victorian vocational and higher education provider known for its collaborative and creative approach to education in Australia and overseas. The Institute has a long and diverse history and over the years has been the recipient of many awards and achievements, demonstrating Australia-wide recognition for its efforts.

The students have the option of completing the 1st year in Sri Lanka at IIHS and to transfer to Australia to complete the Diploma in the 2nd year. With another year of studies they could complete the Associate Degree and with one more year they get the BSc in Biotechnology & Innovation. The advantages of completing one year at IIHS is that it saves you about 10 lakhs as university fees and about 18 lakhs as living expenses, it guarantees your entry in to the 2nd year at BOX HILL TAFE, and most importantly you get industry placements in both countries, during the 1st year in Sri Lanka and also during the second year at BOX HILL TAFE, which directs you towards a job outcome. The global demand for Biotechnologists are increasing rapidly and salary scales of an International Biotechnologist is around 8-9 million rupees annually.

The increasing uses of biotechnological methods over the years have created a major change in skills and knowledge base required of people working in medical and pharmaceutical research. Hospitals, pathology laboratories, research facilities require more and more people who are competent in performing these methods. For example the Victorian biotechnology industry has identified a skills gap in this area and are keen on finding people who demonstrate the skills required to take part in this "fourth revolution" elaborates Dr. Christine Hepperle- Head of Biotechnology and Animal Sciences at Box hill TAFE.

Be a part of the fourth revolution. Join us now. Registrations are now on for a limited number of seats. Contact IIHS on 0114 65 11 44 / 0774 14 23 98 / 0773 11 43 91 / 0773 11 43 81 or visit us at 704, Negombo Rd, Welisara or our website: www.iihsciences.com