The University Grants Commission (UGC) has awarded Anna University, Chennai, the status of university with potential for excellence (UPE) in the field of biomedical engineering and instrumentation.
In a press statement, the university said the apex body for higher education in India has granted 23.12crores as initial funds for the year 2016-17.
The university’s registrar, S Ganesan, said it was Anna University that chose to seek the status in the field of biomedical engineering and instrumentation. “The university has research and academic experience in the field for 25 years. This is apt for a technical university as engineering and technological intervention in medical care is essential. Also, medical technology in India is growing at the rate of 15-20% annually,” he said.
An inter-disciplinary team will be formed, including experts from medical electronics, biotechnology, instrumentation, medical physics and mechatronics to work on the theme- development of various automated biomedical device, the release said.
Anna University has a history of being recognized, nationally as well as internationally, for research in the field of biomedical engineering.
“The synergy among departments and centres resulted in 306 publications, 189 PhD thesis, 85 projects to the tune of 65crores and 24 patents (filed, published or granted). Adding to it are the recent national recognitions like establishment of a national hub for healthcare instrumentation development (DST funded) and university innovation cluster (BIRAC),” said coordinator of the university, S Muttan.
The UPE status and UGC funding will provide Anna University an opportunity to develop biomedical instruments, 85% of which are being imported by India, today. “Biomedical instrument prototypes are jointly developed in association with hospitals, industrial partners and research institutions across the country,” Muttan said.
In the UPE programme, Anna University will focus on limited manufacture of automated biomedical devices. “From its biochemistry to design of the machine, and its manufacturing process- the idea is indigenous. It is designed with the idea of avoiding human handling and safe disposal of hazardous pathogens,” said professor Sankaran.
The UPE status will benefit university’s initiative to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).
