IIT Madras and SRIHER Collaborate for MD-PhD Dual Degree Program

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT) Madras and Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) have forged a partnership to introduce an innovative MD-PhD Dual Degree program. The collaborative initiative aims to merge medical expertise and technological exploration, emphasizing core clinical, interdisciplinary, and translational research.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this program was officially signed today by Dr. Uma Sekar, Vice Chancellor of SRIHER, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. The signing ceremony included the presence of key figures such as Prof. Boby George, Head of the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras, Prof. R. Krishna Kumar, Institute Professor at IIT Madras, and other faculty members.

Highlighting the significance of 'Physician-Scientists,' Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed confidence that the MD-PhD program would be a flagship initiative fostering innovative solutions for scalable, accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare in India. "The world needs medical technology which, in turn, requires doctors with domain knowledge to explore the technological world. The MD-PhD program planned between IIT Madras and SRIHER will be a flagship one, enabling the above requirement. I am confident that this collaboration will lead to very interesting innovations that will lead to scalable, accessible, affordable, and quality health care for our Nation,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, of IIT Madras.

"Such Physician-scientists make up only less than 2% of the biomedical workforce today. As Physician-scientists, they will be particularly involved in productive academic research and can contribute to biomedical innovation, discover lifesaving therapies, and have the potential to develop disease prevention strategies. A physician scientist's in-depth clinical knowledge of human health and disease, combined with skills in scientific investigation and analysis, makes him or her uniquely resourceful. They will play a vital role in advancing medical knowledge with a substantial impact on human health," said Dr. Uma Sekar, Vice Chancellor, of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research highlighting the importance of dual degrees.

In May 2023, IIT Madras launched the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, introducing a pioneering four-year B.S. program in medical sciences and engineering - a first-of-its-kind in India.

The MD-PhD program aims to address the shortage of 'Physician-Scientists' in India, a crucial role recognized by the remarkable 37% of Nobel Prizes in Physiology awarded to them. These professionals establish cause-and-effect relationships, challenging established beliefs and conducting research across various settings to promote health equity.

The MD-PhD Dual Degree Program's objective is to produce well-trained research scientists who will contribute to India's self-sufficiency in the field of medicine and health. The program is set to commence in the next academic year.

What is the program structure?

 Postgraduates admitted to SRIHER through NEET, desiring to pursue a PhD, will apply for the program at the end of their second year. The selection process will be conducted by the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras. Once selected, candidates will receive a pre-PhD offer and can register after completing their SRIHER degree.

During their third year at SRIHER, candidates will be mentored by both IIT Madras and SRIHER faculty. The subsequent two to three years will involve part-time studies at IIT Madras and senior residency at SRIHER, with candidates being fully funded by SRIHER through a fellowship.

The IIT Madras Department of Medical Sciences and Technology adopts an interdisciplinary approach to train students in designing medical devices, drug discovery, artificial intelligence in medicine, and fundamental medical research. The curriculum, developed with the input of top medical doctors, includes 'Professors of Practice' and collaborations with premier hospitals and medical institutions.

Conclusion

This collaboration between IIT Madras and SRIHER represents a pioneering effort to bridge the gap between medicine and technology, producing a new breed of professionals equipped to make groundbreaking contributions to healthcare in India.