“Unless technology and knowledge is generated by a particular country, the industry and wealth generated is not economical for that country. Our students should take up our own problems. This is what is meant by knowledge economy,” said J B Joshi, UICT Director, during a press conference at the institute on Tuesday.

The five-year project has been sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of Ministry of Science and Technology.

The centre will develop renewable sources of energy with specific focus on creating a bioscience and bioengineering platform for developing viable technologies for bio-alcohols, biodiesel, biohydrogen and other biofuels to reduce India’s dependence on petroleum fuels. The centre will particularly focus on bio-fuel to meet the needs of transport industry.

“Lignocellulosic waste biomass can become the truly renewable source of bioethanol intended to be next generation liquid fuel. But the technology available today is only in pieces. We will set up a pilot scale plant incorporating all components of the technology to bring down cost capital as well cost of production,” said professor G D Yadav.

While DBT has sanctioned Rs 24 crore for the project, the institute intends to raise Rs 16 crore.

“The project involves aspects like developing a knowledge base (long-term) and giving deliverables. Accordingly, we will deliver the first model after a year. Initially, Rs 24 crore will be used for infrastructure and operating costs including student fellowships and support for faculty,” said Professor Arvind Lali, who is coordinating the technical programme of the centre.

While UICT will be involved in design, scale-up and in bringing all technologies together and make it successful in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner, Purdue University (USA) will be involved in the third step of technology, that is for conversion of sugar to alcohol, and will accordingly provide the mathematical model for it.

MAHYCO Research Centre (India) will assist in development of new biomass and crop varieties.