PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Biotechnology and Microbiologists Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has demanded of the government to establish biotechnology research centres in all major cities and recognise the degree of biotechnology and microbiology equivalent to the degree in biology.

Dr Mohammad Salam of the association told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday that biotechnology had been introduced in the countrywide universities in 2001, while biotechnologists had helped address economic, trade and technical issues.

He said many biotechnologists had returned to serve the country after completing studies abroad.

The association leader urged the federal and provincial governments to establish biotechnology research centres and said the centres would help generate employment opportunities and address many national issues.

He demanded that the public service commission accept biotechnology degree equivalent to biology’s.

Mr Salam said the biotechnology courses were included in matriculation and intermediate courses and therefore, the biology subject specialist posts should be introduced in the educational institutions of the province.

He said biotechnologists should be appointed to microbiology laboratories of teaching hospitals of the province and that the biotechnologists’ research needed to be used by the food department.

The association leader said the latest research by biotechnologists should be utilised for forensic purposes would play their important role. He said the biotechnologists would also play a pivotal role in addressing food insecurity.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018