International Dean Associate, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, Francois Malhebre, came among Biology Department Students of Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Pharmacy students, Medical students of UMM in the rector courtroom, Friday (12/4). Some lecturers who were involved in biotechnology field were also presented in the guest lecture entitled “Considering a Career in Biosciences: A Global Perspectives”.
According to Francois, biotechnology is basically the same in every country. He then explained the scheme of biotechnology tree which is related to each other. Biology, physics, mathematics, chemistry and natural sciences then are applied to agriculture, industry and medicine. However, the development of biotechnology in a country depends on the political aspect. "Just as the United States during the reign of George W. Bush who did not allow development of biotechnology," said Francois.
Furthermore, in the future, biotechnology would result many benefits such as creative engineering, instrumentation and equipment, research and development, tissue engineering, proteomics, regulation and bioethics, biomaterials, GMO agriculture, antisense and DNA technology, biopharmaceuticals, drug discovery, antibody technology, enzymes, gene therapy, geonomics, pharmaceuticals and drug discovery.
Francois played a video which lasted no more than five minutes describing safe management of biotechnology. It is because, in fact, the development of biotechnology is not always safe. In the video, he showed that he had succeeded in creating environmentally friendly packaging that was decomposable chocolate packs.
However, Francois did not deny the negative effects of biotechnology as other sciences such as physics or chemistry. All depends on how each individual uses them. "Certainly, biotechnology also has negative impacts, but how we minimize them," says the France-born man.
In the end of the event, Assistant of Rector for International Cooperation of UMM, Soeparto conveyed his pride. The guest lecture this time interactively ran between the audience and the speaker. "It turned out that language is not a barrier to the transformation of science. Whereas, Francois speaks quickly-toned English," said Soeparto.
On next July, Francois would return to UMM, attending the invitation of UMM Center for Biotechnology Development on the International Seminar on Biotechnology. (hlw/t_alf)
