Key Takeaways
- The interest of Indian students in biotechnology studies abroad is sharply increasing, due to growing investment in research.
- Specializations such as gene editing and bioinformatics attract students from diverse backgrounds, especially engineering and computer science.
- Funding for studies largely comes from loans and scholarships, allowing students to enter lucrative careers in biotech fields post-graduation.
Growing Interest in Biotechnology Studies Abroad
The number of Indian students applying for biotechnology studies overseas is on the rise, driven by increased funding from corporations and governments for research in areas such as gene therapies, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals. According to Piyush Kumar, regional director for South Asia at IDP Education, biotechnology programs in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia have seen a surge in applicants. Biotech and life sciences students comprise about 40% of all STEM applicants from India in recent years.
The Covid-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for students’ perceptions of biotechnology, making success stories like mRNA vaccines and gene therapies more prominent. Experts suggest that figures such as Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman have become inspirational figures for aspiring scientists. Interest in fields like gene editing, synthetic biology, and computational biology has doubled compared to just a few years ago. Areas such as agricultural biotech and pharmaceutical R&D are particularly popular among students from tier-2 cities.
A noticeable trend is that many applicants come with interdisciplinary backgrounds in engineering, computer science, and the pure sciences, often enriched with research internships or Olympiad experiences. Rahul Subramaniam, co-founder of Athena Education, notes that these backgrounds are increasingly common among biotech aspirants interested in bioinformatics and systems biology.
Students are also choosing their study destinations carefully, prioritizing not just prestigious institutions but those offering research grants, lab access, and entrepreneurship support. Popular destinations include the US, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, where factors like post-study work rights are crucial for decision-making.
Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education, notes that popular specializations include medical biotechnology, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and gene editing. Students pursuing international education often finance their studies through a mix of loans (60-70%), scholarships (20-30%), and personal funds (10-20%).
The US is particularly attractive due to research assistantship opportunities and the STEM OPT extension, which allows students to work for up to three years post-graduation. Graduates typically pursue careers as research scientists, biomedical engineers, or regulatory specialists, with starting salaries in North America and Europe ranging from $80,000 to $120,000.
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