Chennai, Aug 5 (BPNS)

The Indian Institute of Technology – Madras and the National Institute of Siddha have signed an agreement for the development of a new collaborative teaching programme and research. The areas of research that are to be focused on are clinical research, molecular biology and health system research.

Director of IIT- Madras, Dr V. Kamakoti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Director, National Institute of Siddha, Dr R. Meenakumari.  Both the institutes will jointly organize seminars, workshops, continuing education programmes, webinars, and conferences to develop academic programmes.

The exchange of students, PhD scholars, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty between the two premier institutes will be promoted as part of this joint association.

V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT- Madras in a statement said that Siddha was a very important school of Indian medicine and the collaboration will focus on establishing a scientific basis that explains the efficacy of Siddha medicines.

Dr. Meenakumari said that the scientific expertise of IIT- Madras would be of use in the scientific validation of Siddha formulations and identification of its bio-active molecule and mechanism of action.

The NIS functions mainly to validate the Siddha medicines for selected diseases and also works for the improvement of post-graduate education in the Siddha system.