FABA’s Finishing School Sets a New Benchmark for Life Sciences Training in India

In a remarkable step toward bridging the persistent gap between academic learning and industry expectations, the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), in collaboration with Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and Agri Biotech Foundation (ABF), successfully concluded the first edition of its “Finishing School” program at the ABF Campus, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.

The four-week intensive training, held from May 7 to June 4, 2025, transformed 20 handpicked life science graduates and entry-level professionals into confident, industry-ready talents through a curriculum rooted in real-world applications of microbiology, molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, and regulatory protocols.

What set the program apart was its multi-dimensional approach—technical mastery was matched with critical soft skills development. Strategic Saturdays, a unique feature of the curriculum, focused on interview preparation, personal branding, scientific communication, and AI-based CV building, grooming participants into well-rounded professionals.

“Soft skills are like oil that greases the wheels of career success,” said participant Durga Harika R., highlighting how the training reshaped her career vision.

Backed by over 200 hours of lab-intensive experience, students worked with cutting-edge tools such as HPLC systems, RT-PCR platforms, flow cytometers, and bioinformatics tools. Field visits to YMC India, Huwel Life Sciences, Umed Pharma, and the ASPIRE Incubation Centre at the University of Hyderabad gave participants a front-row view of how innovation drives industry standards.

Beyond technical rigor, the program was a celebration of academic-industry synergy. Eminent speakers from Biological E Ltd., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, NIAB, and IKP Knowledge Park engaged students in sessions covering gene editing, plant biotech, virology, and drug discovery.

“This isn’t a one-time training—this is a movement,” noted Prof. Pallu Reddanna, Executive President of FABA. “Our goal is to build a sustainable pipeline of biotech talent for India’s innovation-driven future.”

The valedictory ceremony was graced by leaders including Dr. Venkateswarlu (President, ABF) and Prof. A.R. Reddy, who urged students to serve as ambassadors for future cohorts. They commended the unwavering support of IIL in enabling world-class wet-lab training—often a costly and logistically challenging endeavor in Indian academia.

Participants echoed one sentiment: this experience was transformational.

“FABA’s Finishing School didn’t just teach us techniques; it taught us how to think, adapt, and lead in scientific environments,” shared Nikitha G., a program graduate.

As India accelerates its biotech journey, initiatives like the FABA Finishing School represent more than training—they represent hope, direction, and readiness for a new generation of life science professionals.