Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology (SCTIMST) is unique because it shows that a three-level approach to services, science and policy can be for the country, says microbiologist and virologist Gagandeep Kang.
She spoke at the 41st Sctimst’s convening meeting here on Saturday morning.
Dr. Kang is now the director of intestinal, diagnostics, genomics and epidemiology, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said India is leading the way in making drugs and vaccines for the world, but not in diagnosis and equipment.
About 80% of the equipment used in the country is imported. SCTIMST is the institute with the best efforts to change this situation, but the challenge for the future is to make the industry and the country aware of the possibilities of developments and assessments that exist here. The usual position is that the industry has the responsibility to take advantage of it after the technology transfer. However, the industry in the equipment sector in the country is small companies, and they will continue to need support from institutions such as Sctimst, government and policy makers so that they can expand their operations.
Dr. Kang also questioned why the expansion seen in the country’s drugs and vaccines are not seen in the device. “I hope that everything you have in translation and interdisciplinary collaboration will enable us to work hard towards this mission.”
Regarding the role of SCTIMST, she said that the training young graduates receive here will give them the confidence to consider making a change, and that’s where innovation comes from.
She stressed the need for expertise, interdisciplinary and collaboration to pave the way for new development.
Recognizing SCTIMST’s empathy for the population it serves and its strong ethics, Dr. Kang said: “Empathy and ethics are the foundations we must build the future.”
S. Somanath, Chairman of the event, emphasized the need for collaboration between SCTIMST and institutions working in the field of space technology, especially with interest in space travel. He said some of the effects of the space environment are well known, such as muscle atrophy, bone loss or psychological problems, but the future provides areas on how to deal with long-term space travel in the field of research.
Govindan Rangarajan, director of the Indian Academy of Sciences in Bangalore, published the eighth G. parthasarathi oration.
Sctimst President Kris Gopalakrishnan spoke. He also awarded a degree at graduation.
publishing – May 10, 2025 at 08:07 pm ist
