Bhubaneswar: Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC), Bhubaneswar, for mutual cooperation in the field of academics and research.
According to provisions of the MoU, ICMR-RMRC and SOA will undertake joint collaborative research by applying for taskforce studies and projects for state, national and international grants.
Ph.D scholars from ICMR-RMRC will be able to pursue research in medical science, public health, microbiology, pharmacy, nursing and biotechnology in SOA while the university will recognise scientists from the institution as research guides or co-guides for supervision of Ph.D work.
Ph.D research scholars from both SOA and ICMR-RMRC can also access each other’s facilities as the agreement will enable faculty exchange with SOA faculty members teaching Master of Public Health (MPH) programme at the central institution.
The MoU, which will be in force for five years, was signed by SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda and ICMR-RMRC Director Dr Sanghamitra Pati.
Dr Pati said the MoU contained several aspects regarding health research and public health concerning Odisha. As SOA was a multi-disciplinary university and ICMR-RMRC handled diverse research activities, both could complement each other and become stronger.
She said SOA already was receiving grants from ICMR for research and clinical trial, and the MoU will take it forward.
Prof. Nanda said the MoU will enable fruitful joint research projects involving SOA and ICMR-RMRC as also organisation of joint conferences and seminars.
“It will lead to strong bonding as both organizations could complement each other,” he said.
