PRANAV KUMAR, director of Pathfinder Academy, a New Delhi-based institute which coaches students who aspire for a career in the field of biotechnology and life sciences, spoke to Frontline about the academy's innovative teaching system. Excerpts from the interview:
Your speciality being coaching in the discipline of biotechnology for various academic examinations, such as CSIR-JRF-NET, GATE and Biotech entrance examination, how do you update your coaching content from time to time?
Biotechnology is a relatively new discipline that integrates knowledge from various traditional sciences such as biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, chemistry and biochemical engineering. Most of our faculty members have postdoctoral research experience in their respective fields. All of them keep themselves updated by consulting books, journals and research articles on a daily basis and discuss the latest developments in the field of biotechnology in the classroom. You must be aware that the pattern of competitive examination in India is changing. Our staff prepare several synthetic questions on the basis of the important topics or chapters.
Is there a dearth of institutes giving good training in the field of life sciences in India considering that biotechnology is on the cutting edge and is the fastest-growing interdisciplinary field? How has Pathfinder Academy filled this gap?
I agree with your statement. Actually, Pathfinder Academy plans compelling content, cutting-edge science and inquiry-based, career-oriented learning for students so that they can integrate their knowledge of biology, chemistry and the physical sciences. It is a fact that there is a dearth of good coaching institutes. We try to maintain a high standard of teaching and a sound course content. This will help our students build promising careers in the field of biotechnology.
A Special Correspondent
