Amity University Haryana organised a Guest Lecture on “Biomedical Research in India – Collaborations, Funding and Grantmanship” by Prof. Shahid Jameel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, Hyderabad and New Delhi. Dr. Jameel is Eminent Scientist in the field of Molecular Virology. He was group leader for over 25 years of the Virology Group at International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi.
The health of the environment is directly impacting on the spread of the viruses in India, more so in the crowded metro cities Dengue, Chikungunya and HIV have become a household name as they spare no one young or old. The scientific studies of the viruses and the discovery of suitable drugs/vaccine has been a matter of great interest to the scientist around the world. In India, Virology has emerged as a major area of research for the bio-scientist informed Dr Shahid Jameel.
In his detailed presentation on “Biomedical research in India – Collaborations, Funding and Grantmanship” Dr Shahid highlighted the various international funding agencies open to Indian researchers. He talked about different fellowships available at early intermediate and senior stages also Margdarshak fellowship, He shared his experiences to help produce the next generations of academic leaders in India who are competitive by any International metric. He also emphasized that while there is sufficient talent in India and in the diaspora, Indian science in particular and institutions in general will excel only when they are unshackled through efficient management with transparency and good governance as its essential components.
As a nation we need to focus on a twin prong strategy that includes coming heavily on Air, Water and Soil pollution on one hand to improve the environmental health and focus on improving immunity of people to deadly viruses on the other by engaging them into age old therapy of yoga and meditation and gradual shift towards natural nutritious diet. Our scientist must spend more time on scientific research on indigenous herb and medicines to re discover the vital strength of India’s medical system of Ayurveda said Prof (Dr.) P B Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Haryana.
Prof. Shahid Jameel, Prof (Dr.) P B Sharma, Dr. Ajit Verma, Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prof SMP Khurana, Dr. Jeeshan, were present at the lecture with faculty members and PHD students.