George Institute - India signs MoU with Post-Graduate Institute for Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
The George Institute for Global Health has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chandigarh-based Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education (PGIMER) and Research to further collaboration in the area of public health education and research.
The MoU, which was signed on Saturday between Professor Yogesh Chawla, Director, PGIMER and Professor Robyn Norton, Principal Director of The George Institute for Global Health, and Professor of Global Health at University of Oxford, will put in place a collaborative framework for undertaking research with a view to bringing new and innovative approaches to transformative health care.
The George Institute, through its offices in Oxford UK, Sydney Australia and Beijing China and partnerships with Oxford and Sydney Universities, will bring international expertise and ensure that they are applied in the Indian context. The resulting innovative models of health care delivery that will be implemented in India would lead to change in healthcare delivery practices in other countries.
"We are delighted to sign an MoU with The George Institute for Global Health and are looking forward to working with them,"’ said Professor Yogesh Chawla, Director, PGIMER, after signing the MoU.
"Transformative health care requires a judicious combination of science, technology and entrepreneurship," said Professor Robyn Norton, principal director of The George Institute for Global Health, after signing the MoU.
Professor Norton interacted with clinicians and faculty members of PGIMER and IIT-Ropar to explore joint research projects and other exchange programmes. Some of the areas in which the PGI faculty showed interest include use of technology for empowering the non-physician health care work force and use of big data analysis for health care management and delivery.
Addressing students and faculty members, Professor Norton said the greatest challenge of the century is to reduce premature deaths and disability. This will happen only if we are able to promote and sustain innovation in all fronts – in the fields of pathbreaking research, use of technology and enterprising ideas that can take affordable health care to more and more people across the globe.
Dr Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health – India and Professor of Nephrology at PGIMER said : "As a physician who has worked in PGI, Chandigarh for almost three decades, I am happy to be working closely with one of the foremost institutions in the country that understands the value of research. We share deep values and above all a commitment to bring real change to the way health care is being delivered in this country," he said.
Affirming the value of international collaboration, the MoU seeks to promote academic and scientific activities including joint research project in fields of mutual interests; exchange of academic publications and reports; sharing of experience in innovative teaching methods and course design; organization of joint symposia, workshops, and conferences; opportunities for faculty development and exchange including joint appointments; and mutual exchange of students and research scholars.
The George Institute for Global Health – India and PGIMER are already working on a couple of research projects which might change the way chronic kidney diseases are being managed in the country. PGI is also one of the 13 centres where a trial involving family members in stroke rehabilitation known as the ATTEND trial. Another new project involving the use of innovative low-cost device to monitor hospitalized newborn babies is also likely to be launched soon.
