'Voice for BT' - INTERNATIONAL 2025 (ASEAN)

Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises - ABLE has been successfully organizing ‘voice for BT’ - India’s national-level public speaking contest for the past 13 years, exclusively for the final year under-graduate and first year postgraduate students in 'Biotechnology and Life Sciences'. The program has been supported by Novonesis in India from its inception, which serves as a unique platform to recognize and motivate budding biotechnologists to pursue and promote biotechnology and life sciences.

'voice for BT' has been conducted for over a decade in India which has received accolades from across the biotech fraternity and enthusiastic response from the budding biotechnologists. The event has been conducted by ABLE with a lot of dedication and sincerity, which has been given due recognition by the various biotech institutions in India as an appropriate event to foster biotech innovation.

Building on the remarkable success of the national programme, ABLE, in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), successfully launched the first-ever 'voice for BT' – International (ASEAN) Edition on 27th November 2025 at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur with the support from Biocon Biologics and Amano Enzymes. The event marked a significant milestone in taking India's flagship biotechnology communication platform to the ASEAN region.

The inaugural international edition brought together talented biotechnology students from leading ASEAN universities, providing a unique platform for young scientists to articulate scientific ideas with clarity, confidence and purpose. The competition showcased exceptional talent and reinforced the importance of scientific communication in developing the next generation of biotechnology innovators and leaders.

The top winners from the ASEAN competition were invited to participate in the International Grand Finale of 'voice for BT' 2025 held in India on 5th December 2025, where they competed alongside India's national finalists. This unique opportunity fostered cross-border scientific exchange, cultural understanding and networking between emerging biotechnology leaders from India and ASEAN.

‘voice for BT’ is an inter-collegiate public speaking competition in biotechnology, designed to provide students with a platform to showcase their knowledge, insights, and perspectives on diverse areas of biotechnology.

This program is open to biotechnology colleges across ASEAN nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and final-year undergraduate (B.Tech/B.Sc) students and first-year postgraduate (Biotechnology, Food Technology, and Life Sciences) students are eligible for the contest.

Winners of ‘voice for BT’ - International will secure a place in the Grand Finale in India, where they will compete alongside Indian winners for the coveted international title.

• Eligibility: Final-year Undergraduate (B.Tech/B.Sc) students and First-year Postgraduate Biotechnology, Food Technology, and Life Sciences students.
• Each university may nominate only two students but from different departments .
• Only first 15-20 participants will be selected
• The participant has to be selected by the college. Nominations must be submitted through the official online Nomination Form.
• Three topics will be shared with nominated participants three days before the event. Participants must prepare for all three.
• On the final day, organizers will select one topic (shared one day in advance) for each participant.
• Each participant will have 5 minutes to speak, without notes or presentations. This is strictly a public speaking competition.
• Accommodation will be provided by ABLE for all outstation participants.
• In case of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, the event will be rescheduled and all colleges/participants will be notified.

• A distinguished jury of scientists, academicians, and industry leaders will evaluate participants.
• Each participant will be allotted 5 minutes to speak on their assigned topic.
• Judging criteria (25 points each, 100 points total):
  • Creativity and originality of thought
  • Effectiveness of communication
  • Relevance to the chosen topic
  • Strength of conclusion

All the participants will receive a Participation Certificate.

The winners of 'voice for BT' - International (ASEAN) 2025 will receive exciting cash prizes:

• Winner: USD 750
• 1st Runner-up: USD 500
• 2nd Runner-up: USD 250

The top two winners will also earn the incredible opportunity to represent ASEAN in the 'Grand Finale' to be held in India, competing alongside Indian finalists for the International Title.