MOU Signed Between SRM University And The University Of New South Wales

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.