Tata Medical Centre to join hands with IIT Kgp to treat cancer better

Kolkata: In a bid to address the shortage of skilled manpower to treat cancer patients in the country and worldwide, IIT Kharagpur has partnered with Tata Medical Centre to start a unique training programme.

Professors from IIT and researchers, professionals and medical practitioners from the Tata Medical Centre will now provide a unique common platform with the opportunity of pursuing much coveted academic and research programmes in the interdisciplinary fields cutting across medicine, basic sciences and engineering.

The programme is the first of its kind in India and is likely to provide highly trained professionals with appropriate state-of-the-art knowledge alongside effective and patient-friendly practical skills.

IIT Kharagpur, in collaboration with Tata Medical Centre, will be launching integrated M.Sc - Ph.D programmes on medical physics (required for radiation therapy and safety in cancer patients), nuclear medicine (required to diagnose as well as treat many diseases) and molecular medical microbiology (required to fight infections optimally) from the academic year of 2018-19. An MoU in this regard was signed recently. The highlight of the course is going to be the first certificate programme in clinical oncology from India, where post graduate oncologists will work within specific areas of interest with basic science and engineering experts to combat cancer.

The programme will cover academic courses, research and outreach initiatives in the field of interdisciplinary medical research, including its implications in clinical trials as well as direct clinical practices.

"Plans are underway for joint research programmes with external funding. Exchange programmes will be promoted through creation of Visiting Faculty/Scientist positions with access to laboratory facilities for joint research and exchange of data," said Suman Chakraborty, Faculty at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and programme coordinator, IIT Kharagpur.

Classes will be organised at both sites, as felt appropriate, in order to fulfill the progressive curriculum. The certification will be awarded by IIT Kharagpur.