Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA), a leading private university of Odisha, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC), Bhubaneswar, for mutual cooperation in the field of academics and research.

According to the MoU provisions, both ICMR-RMRC and SOA would undertake joint collaborative research by applying for task force studies and projects for state, national and international grants.

“The PhD scholars from ICMR-RMRC could pursue research in medical science, public health, microbiology, pharmacy, nursing and biotechnology in SOA while the university would recognize scientists from the institution as research guides or co-guides for supervision of PhD work,” said a press release issued by the SOA.

Besides, the PhD research scholars from both SOA and ICMR-RMRC could access each other’s facilities while the deal would enable faculty exchange with SOA faculty members teaching the master of public health programme at the central institution.

The MoU, which will be in force for five years. The MOU was signed by SOA vice-chancellor Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda and ICMR-RMRC director Dr Sanghamitra Pati.

Speaking after signing the MoU, Dr Pati said the MoU contained several aspects as regards health research and public health concerning Odisha. As SOA was a multi-disciplinary university and ICMR-RMRC handled diverse research activities, both could complement each other and become stronger.