Outline of an Undergraduate Program in Biotechnology at KFUPM

1. Outline of an Undergraduate Program in Biotechnology at KFUPM Dr. Amjad Khalil Associate Professor of Biotechnology Biotechnology Research Group College of Science KFUPM

2. PART A BIOTECHNOLOGY AS A STRATEGIC GOAL

3. INTRODUCTION • What is Biotechnology? • Biotechnology applies scientific and engineering principles to living organisms in order to produce products and services of value to society. • Biotechnology has been identified as one of the frontline technologies today being developed and used to understand and manipulate biological molecules for applications in medical, agricultural, industrial and environmental sectors of the national economy.

4. INTRODUCTION/CONT • Biotechnology is not new. • Examples of the ‘old’ technologies include fermentation (such as in the production of beer from malt) and plant propagation and breeding.

5. INTRODUCTION/CONT • However, there is a new biotechnology which has emerged in the last 25 years and which has been built on new knowledge of DNA structure and manipulations. • In particular, it has allowed geneticists to move genetic material from one life form to another in a way that was not previously possible.

6. Importance of Biotechnology • Biotechnology is expected to be the engine of global economy during the 21st century. • The growing biotechnology industry and its sectors considered the new directions for long-term economic growth.

7. Importance of Biotechnology - Rabid advances in genome science are opening up a multitude of new business opportunities in the life science-related industries. - To accompany this growth, manpower appropriately trained and educated in biotechnology is certainly needed.

8. Need for Biotechnologists in the Kingdom • Despite the urgent needs for biotechnologists as professional manpower, none of the academic institutes in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia offers any program of biotechnology. • One of the main objectives of the suggested program is to supply the market of the Kingdom and the region with well-trained, professional biotechnologists.

9. Need for Biotechnologists in the Kingdom • KFUPM could become the first university in the Kingdom and the gulf region to successfully graduate biotechnologists with strong background in different disciplines of biotechnology. • In the near future ,hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, and research institutes will need a well trained biotechnology professionals.

10. Need for Biotechnologists in the Kingdom • In the last few years, the gulf region lunched two projects on Biotechnology. First, Jeddah BioCity as an international pioneering company in the transference of biotechnology via the creation of projects in research and development to produce a high economic return. • Second, Dubai Biotechnology Park (DuBiotech) is designed to be the center of excellence in biotechnology that will link government, academia and industry through national and international collaboration to develop new technologies and products to address regional health and environmental issues. • The presence of these biotechnology centers in the gulf region will increase the demand for well trained and professional biotechnologists in the near future.

11. Why at KFUPM? • KFUPM has established a very strong and reputable sciences and engineering programs, Thus it could play a very important role in preparing students with strong science background in the field of Biotechnology. • KFUPM will be the first university in the area that has taken the lead in proposing to design such a program, which could serve the community and the students by transferring the new technology to Saudi universities and companies.

12. BIOTECHNOLOGY AS STRATEGIC CHOICE • Taking a strategic decision by KFUPM to go for Biotechnology program will be an excellent point in its history. • The opportunity exists for KFUPM to position itself as an important contributor to the advancement and evolution of biotechnology in this century. • The Biotechnology team believes that KFUPM can become known as a major national key player in the area of biotechnology. • The university support for this strategic initiative is an opportunity to build excellence in an area affecting all forms of life.

13. To achieve success in the area of biotechnology KFUPM should do the followings: • Formation of Biotechnology steering committee . • Build human resources in the area of biotechnology. • Develop scientific and technological capabilities. • Linkages between academic institutions and industry.

14. Successful Examples from the rest of the world • There are a variety of lessons that KFUPM can learn from the organization and management of biotechnology in other countries, particularly developing countries such as Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Thailand and China, which have made significant strides in the development and commercialization of biotechnology over the past two decades.

15. Brazil • Brazil is emerging as one of the developing country leaders in biotechnology . • Excellent achievement in citrus crop diseases and cancer . • Development of vaccines for diseases such as tuberculosis, and hepatitis B.

16. Nigeria • Nigeria is one of the African countries that has embarked on a determined program to exploit biotechnology for the benefit of its peoples and to ensure that Nigeria becomes a key participant in the international biotechnology arena within the next decade. • The Federal Government provided the National Biotechnology Development Agency with US $263 million per annum for three yearsas a take-off grant to fund the executive programs in agriculture, health, industry, environment and human resource development.

17. Cuba - Cuba is a developing country that has made significant strides in biotechnology. - 35 national research institutes dedicated to health-related biotechnology - 25 agricultural centers apply biotechnology approaches. - Produces the world’s only successful anti-meningococcal vaccine, which is patented worldwide. - Cuba has invested more than US $1000 million in its biotechnology research centers alone.

18. USA • USA has the largest and most profitable biotechnology industry, consisting of more than 1,300 companies, with combined revenues of over $22 billion and employing 162,000 people. • Some of the biotechnology companies are of the top 15 Nasdaq-listed companies .

19. Australia • The number of biotechnology companies 160 companies. • The total biotechnology sector generates annual revenue of roughly R4 billion. • The Australian Government spends roughly one billion rand a year on biotechnology research. Most of this money is spent through the universities.

20. Jordan • In the last 10 years, Jordan moved into the area of Biotechnology and achieved number of good goals such as: • 1- Four universities offer undergraduate Biotechnology programs, and one graduate program. • 2- Twocenters of Biotechnology: • A- Biotechnology center at Jordan University affiliated with Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research. • B- The Virtual Biotechnology Center directed by The Higher Council for Science and Technology . • 3- Two Pharmaceutical Companies work in the area of Biotechnology for developing Recombinant Drugs. • 4- Jordan developed a National Biosafety Framework as main components of Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety.

21. Conclusions of Part A • To achieve a significant progress in the field of biotechnology, KFUPM requires a body (committee) to champion biotechnology. • establishing well-funded and staffed agencies dedicated to biotechnology is essential. • The need to build up a scientific and technological capabilities. • Investment in biotechnology must be based on an explicit national goal of generating products and processes and commercializing these on domestic and international markets.

22. PART B OUTLINE FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AT KFUPM

23. Vision • The KFUPM undergraduate program of Biotechnology aims at taking a leading role in research, innovation, education and postgraduate training in the Gulf and Middle East regions. • The program will support and enhance the technology transfer, industrial development and community services .

24. MISSION • The mission of the program will be provided high quality education, research, and community service in the area of biotechnology and related fields.

25. Specific components of this mission are: 1- To conduct basic and applied research that expands knowledge in the area of biotechnology and provides innovative solutions and differentiating technologies for the Saudi industries and for the healthcare services. 2- To provide high-quality education in biotechnology and its related sciences, and to prepare professionals for the ever increasing complexity of the systems in this field and extend collaborative links both nationally and internationally. 3. To provide high-quality professional training and consultation in the area of biotechnology.

26. Program Objectives • Develop basic laboratory skills, perform standard techniques, and work with the state of the art-instruments. • To broadly educate students for positions in the biotechnology industry and to prepare students for graduate and professional study in the life science. • Students will be able to solve problems in biological sciences using biotechnology approaches. • Linking research establishments with economic and service sectors by concentrated comprehensive marketing to facilitate the creation of new highly skilled work force and jobs that will benefit the Saudi community.

27. BENEFITS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

28. Benefits to the society the biotechnology program is beneficial to the society as a whole because KFUPM, a leading university in science and technology, will contribute to the scientific training of under graduate student of this program and provide the community with well trained graduates with adequate scientific knowledge and skills.

29. Benefit to KFUPM • The University will play an important role in creating, developing and advancing research and development in biotechnology which benefit the Kingdom and the region.

30. Benefit to the Industry and Economy of KSA • Biotechnology is a goldmine in the developed economies. • KFUPM will help in linking research establishments with economic and service sectors by concentrated comprehensive marketing to facilitate the creation of new highly skilled work force and jobs that will benefit the Saudi industry and economy. • KFUPM biotechnology program will encourage the government to support the investment in Biotechnology applications which are expected to have futuristic concept that blends innovative research and manufacturing in an economic container that would contribute to the welfare and prosperity of KSA society.

31. Benefit to students • Biotechnology program will help the students to acquire a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics. • This program will put heavy emphasis on methodology through laboratory experience that provides students with state-of-the-art biotechnology instruments and skills. • Students will be able to apply the principles of biotechnology to solve problems encountered in medicine, public health, research and development, agricultural, industrial and environmental sciences.

32. Major Biotechnology Courses • This program should expose the students to number of core courses in Biotechnology in order to give them the knowledge and the experience to be an excellent professional Biotechnologists and become qualified to into the market of the biotechnology positions., such courses include: • General Microbiology • Introduction to Biotechnology • Principle of Genetics • Biochemistry • Cell Biology • Molecular Biology • Microbial Biotechnology • Molecular Genetics • Methods in Recombinant DNA Tech • Applied Molecular Biology • Proteomics and Protein Technology • Mammalian tissue culture • Plant Tissue Culture • Ethics in Biotechnology • Bioinformatics

33. Career Opportunities • Lab specialist in biotechnology, food, pharmaceutical, medical and agrotechnology industries . • Research assistant as part of a larger research team, conducting experiments in the laboratory or in the field. • Forensic and medical laboratory specialist. Examine DNA and other scientific evidence relating to criminal investigations and analyze DNA from clinical samples from patients for diagnosis of genetics diseases. • Environmental consultant by assess and monitor environmental contamination and help in developing and implementing bioremediation programs to clean up the environment. • Scientific journalist and media presenter: by writing articles and help in preparing broadcast programs to communicate the importance of scientific development to the public. • Sales representative / marketing professional sell and provide advice about special scientific products to clients in research, help to solve specific problems related to equipment applications and experimental procedures.

34. List of Universities • 1- Drexel University / USA • 2- Whitehead University/MIT • 3- University of Queensland / Australia • 4- North Iowa University / USA • 5- University of Maryland University College/USA • 6- Purdue University Calumet / USA • 7- University College London / England • 8- Indiana University / USA • 9- University of Georgia / USA • 10- Lund University / Sweden • 11- University of Helsinki / Finland

35. CONCLODED STATMENT • Biotechnology is one of the frontline technologies today and considered to be the engine of global economyduring the 21st century. • Biotechnology solve problems in biological sciences for the benefits of humanity, provided high quality education, research, and community service. • Lessons should be learned from the experience of other countries , and to start now is better than 10 or 15 years later.

36. THANK YOU