The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) under the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) has tied up with medical institutions in Karnataka as part of its endeavour to offer an Integrated M.Sc. and Ph.D Programme in Nutrition Biology.
In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI), JSS University, Manipal University, and Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences.
“So far, 40 scientists of CFTRI have been recognised as faculty members for the course. Now, over 23 more members from the collaborating medical institutions will be participating in the programme,” said Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, director, CSIR-CFTRI.
The course dates are being finalised and it is expected to commence before August end. The theory classes will be held at the CFTRI campus and the clinical ones will be conducted at the medical college campuses.
The five-year integrated programme will cover nutritional solutions for various lifestyle ailments, such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The nutritional solutions to counter lifestyle ailments are being seen as a complement to the therapy and not as an alternative, according to scientists associated with the programme.
CFTRI officials stated that more than 354 applications have been received for the programme. “We have shortlisted 54 applicants. Ten of them will be selected,” said a CFTRI official.
The programme is sponsored by DBT, under AcSIR in CSIR-CFTRI, and it has been designed to emphasise on fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism at molecular as well at organism level. The focus is on enhancing the research capacity in nutritional biology area. This programme is jointly conducted by CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore; JSS Medical College, Mysore; and Manipal Medical College, Manipal.
About 10 students annually are selected with a fellowship of Rs 5,000 per month for first two years, and from third year onwards Rs 16,000 + 20% HRA per month.
The eligible candidates need to be graduates in science/ biotechnology/ food science/ agriculture/medicine/pharmacology and engineering gradates in biotechnology. They will require minimum first class with 65 per cent.
The selection criteria for admission to the programme shall be on the basis of aptitude test and interview. The selection would be based on all-India merit format with applicable reservation rules.
