MOU Signed Between SRM University And The University Of New South Wales
The Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital
and Research Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South
Wales, Australia on April 11, 2012. The MOU will seek opportunities
where the skills and expertise of the organizations can be beneficially
combined in relation to the following areas - common research projects,
training and developing community based health care interventions,
workshops and student exchange programs.
The MoU signing function held at the Dr .T.P. Ganesan Auditorium Mini
Hall II at 11.30 AM. Dr James Pandian, the Dean of the SRM Medical
College proposed the welcome address .The ceremony was chaired by the
Honourable Vice Chancellor, SRM University Dr. M. Ponnavaikko and
felicitated by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Medical) Dr P Thangraju. Dr.
Chandra Prabha, Associate Director (Health Sciences), Dr. K. Gireesh,
the Deputy Dean and Vice Principal, SRM medical College & RC. Dr.
Raina MacIntyre, Head, School of Public Health and Community Medicine
and Dr. Holly Seale from the same Department represented UNSW.
Elaborating on the background of the MoU, Dr. K.R. John, Professor
& Head, Department of Community Medicine, SRM MCH&RC & Dr
Raina mentioned about their earlier work together which facilitated this
MoU.
The Vice Chancellor Dr M. Ponnavaikko, Dr P Thangaraju, Dr James
Pandian along with Dr. K.R. John Signed the MoU. The faculty and staff
of Community Medicine Department along with the SRM College and
hospital nursing staff and students witnessed the ceremony.
The Chief Guest of the function was the Honourable Consulate General of
Australia in Chennai Mr. David Holly, who was accompanied by Mr. Michael
Carter Australian Consulate (commercial) and Mr. Vijay Subramanian
business development manager. Mr. David Holly, in his chief guest
address highlighted the long standing and continuing Indo-Australian
collaboration in the areas of Healthcare and Education. He expressed his
hope that the current MoU between the SRM University and University of
New South Wales will bring the collaborative works between the two
countries closer for better exchange of ideas and resources.
The Vice Chancellor SRM University in his presidential address stressed
upon the quality of Education imparted by the university both in
academic as well as in research areas. He also stressed on the
Healthcare Services provided by the SRM Medical College and Research
Center to the people of surrounding areas of SRM Kattankulathur Campus
and commended the services done by the Department of Community Medicine
in providing Preventive, Curative, Promotional outreach and Referral
services rendered to the nearby 3 lakhs population of Kanchipuram
district through the outreach activates at Kattankulathur block , Urban
and Rural Health Training Centres, and a remote tribal outreach clinic
an puthoornadu area of Jawhadhi hills.
Dr Raina MacIntyre, in her speech talked about the various courses
offered by UNSW and about the possible twinning mechanisms between SRM
and UNSW. Dr Holly Seale gave a special talk on hospital acquired
infections from the point of view of the potential interventions in
terms hand washing and health care workers immunization. The meeting
came to a conclusion with Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, the Medical
Superintendent proposing the vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and
the participants.
A consensus was developed between both the group that the platform which
has been initiated by the MOU will help to mobilize resources for the
detailed activities in the future. The MoU will help to make future
plans for the Department of Community Medicine to expand its training,
service and research capabilities in conjunction with the motto of SRM
University to learn, leap, and lead both locally and internationally.