The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is collaborating on training, research, and clinical studies with the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), a centre of excellence for research and higher education in the Siddha system of medicine in Chennai.
This collaboration is expected to result in the development of new collaborative teaching programmes and research in clinical research, molecular biology, in-vitro cell line studies, and health system research, as well as faculty member exchange.
Establishing scientific basis that explains the efficacy of Siddha medicines
An MoU towards this effect was signed recently by Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Dr. R. Meenakumari, Director, NIS, in the presence of Prof. Ravindra Gettu, IIT Madras. Highlighting the impact of this collaboration, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “This collaboration will focus on establishing a scientific basis that explains the efficacy of Siddha medicines.”
In addition, the institutes will collaborate to organise seminars, workshops, webinars, conferences, continuing education programmes (including Continuing Medical Education (CME), and academic programmes. They will also encourage student, PhD, postdoctoral scholar, and faculty exchanges for teaching/training programmes.
Collaboration will open new avenues for knowledge sharing
Speaking about the outcomes envisaged from this partnership, Dr R Meenakumari, Director, National Institute of Siddha (NIS), said, “We hope that the collaboration will open new avenues for knowledge sharing about the therapeutic potential of available Siddha medicine and the application of technology of IITM in scientific validation of Siddha formulations, identification of its bioactive molecule and mechanism of action.”
Further, Dr Meenakumari said, “The collaboration of the two institutes will also enhance the exposure of students in the important area of herbal research and technology. The institutions also hope to co-organize high-impact events in the field of technological intervention in the traditional system of medicine. We look forward to working together with IITM for mutual benefit and for the advancement of Siddha healthcare system.”