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A new interdisciplinary research collaboration between IIT Ropar and PGIMER has been formed. Under the partnership, a new MD-PhD dual degree programme is being developed by the institutes to promote research initiatives and enhance the overall quality of the medical industry.
In a bid to promote and enhance the quality of the medical industry, a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), is in the works. The collaboration between the two institutes is expected to bring forward a dual degree programme, i.e. MD and PhD dual degree programme.
The work-in-progress MD-PhD dual degree programme, as stated by the collaborating institutes, will be on offer to the students of both the institutes. In the words of the Director of IIT Ropar, a student who has completed his or her MBBS degree from PGIMER can continue to pursue their MD degree from the institute and PhD degree at IIT Ropar.
The IIT Ropar Direct further added, the student who opts for the dual degree programme will be asked to complete one integrated thesis, while they are pursuing the PhD programme and the four preparatory courses that are mandatory at the PhD level would then be completed by the student during the MD programme.
IIT Ropar Director, Sarit Kumar Das stated that they aim to design the course in a way where the aspirant is able to receive an MD and a PhD degree in the duration of 5 years, whereas earlier it would have taken 7 years to complete both the degrees separately.
Speaking to the media, Das added that such interdisciplinary collaborations between institutes can be found in many internationally renowned universities, such as Harvard Medical School and MIT tie-ups. These interdisciplinary tie-ups, however, are rare to find in India. The formation of the degree will further assist in India’s aim to advance in medical research and health technology.
Talking about the collaboration, Dr Jagat Ram, Director of PGIMER, states that PGIMER specialises on the patient while IIT Ropar has expertise in the technological factor of biomedical research. He further added the further approvals from the education board of PGIMER are awaited, subsequently allowing the institutes to further the collaboration and make the dual degree a reality.
Speaking further the collaboration between the institutes, IIT Ropar Director stated that such a drastic step of introducing inter-disciplinary research programmes at the institute is a risky initiative. Stating that the introduction of such a degree will divert the needed efforts and resources that can be used to strengthening the existing framework. However, the initiative has been taken with a vision of promoting collaboration, he stated.
Das further added that there is a dearth in the number of research collaborations and initiatives which has led to a slow advance the field of medicine. Moreover, the hectic schedule of doctors and medical students alike restricts them from pursuing research initiatives.
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Sarit Kumar Das further added that the collaboration between the two institutes is part of a much larger collaboration between IIT Ropar, IIT Mandi and PGIMER. This collaboration, called ‘Bio X’ had been birthed to promote medical research and work on technological advancements to enhance the overall quality of medicine.
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While concluding his announcement to the media, Das stated that IIT Ropar aims to create collaborations which are aimed at working on singular problems and develop original solutions for the same. He added that the collaboration will also allow the Institute to give back to society, as the institutes operate using public funding.
