To that effect the Knowledge Park has recently signed an agreement with Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) envisaging an investment of Rs 2 crore, said Dr VV Subba Rao Principal Scientific Advisor to the Knowledge Park.

The main thrust of the Virtual Information Center is to act as an electronic platform for fast and reliable access to information and interaction among industry, academia and public-funded research institutions in the areas of science and technology, Mr Rao said.

The center plans to focus in the newer technologies, which include biotechnology, information technology, chemical technology and pharma. The park has already created the backbone IT infrastructure besides establishing links with 20 leading research organizations on the lines of sharing knowledge, Mr Rao said.

The Virtual Information Center will be set up with the support of National Information System for Science and Technology (NISST), which is a nodal agency to support the design and development of information systems, products and services to facilitate R&D using various tools and skills available. The Knowledge Park was developed as a joint venture between ICICI Ltd and AP government on a 200-acre plot in Turkapally near Hyderabad. The campus will provide the required infrastructure for R&D for various schools of sciences including biology, chemistry and information technology.