Stanford-India Biodesign Programme Launched

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal launched “STANFORD-INDIA BIODESIGN PROGRAMME” a collaborative venture of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology with Standford University, USA, here today.

The objective of the programme is to create medical technology innovation in India in partnership with Stanford University, USA by developing leaders in biomedical technology. The programme seeks to provide training to young engineers from IITs, leading engineering institutions with partner medical institution to identify major health needs in India and develop solutions that are cost-effective and widely deployable across a broad socio-economic spectrum.

The goals of the programme are: (i) to introduce the Stanford model of biodesign into educational system of these institutions (ii) to establish Centre of Excellence at each IIT in partnership with a medical institution (iii) identify opportunities through observation of patients by a multidisciplinary team comprised of biologist, engineer, chemistry and medical persons, then to select at least one new technology for group to be designed and develop it into a prototype.

The focus of the programme will be on the development of implants, medical devices and bioinstrumentation. The initial development phase will include an intensive design and planning process based on the national needs. The faculty and fellows would be trained in the design innovation process by providing hands-on training at Stanford University, USA. Once the training will be over, the team will come back to India and start designing process and identifying clinical needs/challenges in India based on their experience at Stanford University, USA.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : May 31, 2007