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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) today launched the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology which will offer four-year BS programme in medical sciences and engineering. This course, as per the institute, is a first of its kind in India.
The course offers an interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for designing life-saving medical devices, drug discovery, artificial intelligence in medicine, and fundamental medical research. The department will train physicians to effectively apply technology in their clinical practice and lay the foundation for physician-scientists training in India.
Top medical doctors in India and abroad, who were also closely involved in the development of the curriculum, will be ‘Professors of Practice’ in this department, which has already established tie-ups with premier hospitals and medical institutions in India.
Lakshmi Narayanan, Co-Founder, Cognizant, said, “Collaborative research in medical sciences can catapult India to a global leader in clinical outcomes. Our leadership in Space, nuclear, digital and biotechnology has demonstrated our research capability and potential. Extending this capability to Medicine is a natural next step.”
The institute will also conduct both fundamental and applied research programs that connect various medical disciplines. By providing the necessary resources and platform, we hope to enable our researchers to create innovative technologies that will improve the lives of patients for generations to come.
Addressing the launch event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “During the COVID outbreak in India, it became evident that we needed to incorporate technology into medicine to effectively handle similar situations in the future as a country. Though we hope such challenges never arise again, this intervention will be crucial in defining our response.”
Prof V Kamakoti added, “Our mission is to unite professionals from medicine and technology to create ground-breaking solutions for medical issues that were once unsolvable. Our aim is to improve treatment options and revolutionize healthcare. Continuing our mission of IITM for ALL, we aspire to provide technological interventions in the field of medicine that shall enable quality and affordable Medicare to reach every citizen of our country.”
The Department of Medical Sciences & Technology will offer the following courses:
— BS in Medical Sciences & Engineering (4 Year Programme)
— PhD Programme for Doctors
— MS by Research for Doctors
— MS in Medical Sciences and Engineering
— PhD Programme for Science & Engineering Graduates
Prof Boby George, Head, Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, IIT Madras, said, “With this interdisciplinary approach to improve the healthcare outcomes by leveraging engineering and medical knowledge, new technologies can be developed that monitor vital parameters of various organs, detects signs of disease, and help to provide targeted prevention and treatment options. As engineering and medicine continue to converge, the possibilities are endless.”
Course coordinator, Prof R Krishna Kumar, Institute Professor, IIT Madras, said, “The admission procedure will be through IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). Candidates must have cleared Class 12 (or equivalent) examination with science stream in 2022 or 2023 from any board recognized by Council of Boards of Department Education in India.”
Further information and updates could be obtained from the Department Website – https://mst.iitm.ac.in/.
Prof R Krishna Kumar added, “Imagine you are able to create a digital twin of a patient and try out various treatment options or surgical procedures. Your treatment advice may be a vital input for the treating physician or surgeon and save precious lives. The course will train you to be an important link in the future of clinical practice.”
He further added, “The course structure involves an internship in a hospital to tie theory and practice. The courses in the programme will be taught by both medical and engineering faculty and will provide a strong research base for students.”
The understanding of disease development and the creation of therapies, devices, and technologies are largely driven by physician-scientists, with many historical examples to support this fact. To produce more physician-scientists, the department offers two important programs: MS (by research) and PhD.
The department is introducing a distinctive program for clinicians called the entrepreneurial doctorate. This program allows doctors to create a product, and the IIT system will provide guidance and support for their entrepreneurial endeavors.
