India’s richest woman is honoured by her alma mater in Australia
By Rekha Bhattacharjee
Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a most distinguished alumna of the University of Ballarat and a pioneer of the biotechnology industry in India, was honoured by Federation University Australia in March with the unveiling of a road named after her at the Mt Helen Campus.
Dr Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and managing director of India’s largest biopharmaceutical enterprise, Biocon, officially opened Mazumdar Drive near the University’s Science and Engineering building. During her visit she was also inducted as an Ambassador of the University for a three-year term.
“I am very grateful to Federation University Australia for its generosity in naming Mazumdar Drive in my honour. I have many happy memories of my time here and acknowledge the significant role the University played in my education and development” said Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. She announced two scholarship for under graduates studying in Ballarat from BIOCON.
(LHS): The BCAE 1974 Graduate Diploma Class of Malting and Brewing.
Back Row (L-R): Neville Gower (lecturer), Enrique Vazquez, Pawan Malik.
Front Row (L-R) Geoffrey Barrell (Head of Section), James Ichoroh, Japeth Kadzitu, Pravin Mevada, Tomas Abrajano, Devandra Kumar, Kiran Mazumdar
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw received a graduate honours degree in Zoology from Bangalore University in (1973). She later did her post-graduation work as a Brew Master in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College of Advanced Education in1975, earning the degree of Master Brewer. She worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston,Australia.
India’s richest path breaking woman Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is a self-made woman and has links with Australia through education and early employment.
A graduate from Bangalore with double major in biology and zoology studied for her masters in the Biology of Beer at the University of Ballarat outside Melbourne.
A daughter of India’s renowned brew master, Kiran followed her father’s footsteps distinguishing herself with her competence, ambition and dynamism. She worked in Australia as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee malster at Barret Brothers and Burston Australia.
Moving back to India in 1975 Kiran realised to her utter frustration a woman ”˜brew master’ was unheard of. She could find work as a consultant only.
As luck would have – with references from Australia, an Irishman approached her to be his partner for his enzyme production company in India where papayas grew. Thus started Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s 70% stake in Bionic India working out of a garage ”“ she started making enzymes from papaya and catfish for fermenting beer.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw gradually expanded from producing enzymes to creating generic drugs. Since 1996 Biocon has been developing its own pharmaceuticals in addition to generics. Last year Pfizer paid Biocon two hundred million dollars to licence its generic insulin, starting in 2015.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw thinks of herself as a ”˜compassionate capitalist’ when questioned by media of her service to community. She established a Biocon Foundation program called ”˜Arogya Raksha Yogna’ or ”˜Health Help’ that helps around 50,000 people within ten mile radius.
Bionic India head is helping change the behavioural psychological factors of rural India. Kiran has spent millions of dollars on her hospitals and healthcare.
In the Indian Press today, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s opinion is solicited on everything from sanitation to plastic surgery. On the recent Indian Budget 2012 -2013 Biocon CMD expressed fears “as it would be inflammatory”.
Famous for being the wealthiest woman in India – “Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the richest self-made woman” said her friend Vijay Mallaya one of India’s richest man and a fellow brewery baron.
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