Ivory Tower: GNDU to partner with PGI, CIBioD on healthcare

Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) will be working in collaboration with the PGIMER, Chandigarh, and CIBioD, to undertake healthcare research and development in the field of medicine, biomedical devices and instruments. The university has signed two memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with Arogaya CIBioD Affordable Healthcare Foundation and Nirogya Life Line Foundation working under the PGIMER, Chandigarh, to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise between the two institutions, benefiting both organisations and their respective communities.

The former aims to foster academic collaboration, research and innovation under the Arogaya CIBioD campaign, while the partnership with Nivedita Charitable Trust focusses on advancing the objectives of the Poshan Utsav and Sapt Sindhu Campaign. Both collaborations are designed to celebrate nutrition through cultural practices and rediscover and share the rich socio-cultural history and heritage of our civilisation.

Prof Karamjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, emphasised the importance of connecting academia with innovation to address contemporary challenges. He highlighted that these initiatives align with the university’s commitment to develop skills and driving impactful research and development in the field of biomedical devices, instruments, medicine, pharma sector and biotechnology from across the country and also for the successful implementation of Aahar Kranti Mission.

“We are still lagging behind in areas of innovation and research in healthcare that had led to an escalation of costs of healthcare delivery in the country. The ICMR-CIBioD aims to fill in these voids in innovation and research in Indian healthcare sector. The trust will not only provide knowledge about millets, utensils and kitchen-garden, but also give demonstrations, deliver lectures and provide provisions for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The MoU was signed in presence of Dr Varinder Garg, principal investigator, ICMR-Centre for Innovation and Bio-Design (CIBioD), PGIMER Chandigarh, and Dr Smiti Jhajj, Executive Manager, PGI, Chandigarh and other senior officials of the university.

The ICMR-CIBioD is a unique healthcare innovation hub and start-up incubator established by the ICMR at a premium medical research institute and hospital of global repute in India with a structured incubation/acceleration/fellowship programme for innovators and researchers in the field of biomedical devices, instruments, medicine, pharma and biotechnology.