New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) has partnered with the University College London (UCL) to collaborate in research and increase the academic and student exchange opportunities between the institutions, the Hindustan Times reports.

UCL President Professor Michael Arthur and AIIMS Director Professor Randeep Guleria signed a formal “Letter of Intent” recently.

“Through closer collaboration and shared expertise, we will gain a deeper insight into our ground-breaking research and fulfil our joint ambition to address some of the biggest challenges facing society today. Furthering academic and student exchange programmes, will also enrich both UCL’s and AIIMS communities, enabling them to develop and grow intellectually, culturally and socially,” a statement quoting Professor Arthur said.

The statement adds that both the institutions would be exploring various potential collaborative areas, including academic staff collaboration in research and education in areas of common interest, development of staff exchange programmes, scholars programmes and research fellowship programmes among various other initiatives.

Director Guleria said, “This collaboration is an immense opportunity for bilateral work-flow on more than one aspect. It is also an opportunity for dialogue including the exchange of ideas, training and empowerment for high-end biotechnological research.”

He adds that the letter of intent focuses on training opportunities for students, researchers and faculty at both institutes as well as the establish a clinical trial unit to enhance these capabilities.

As a part of the ongoing research collaborations, AIIMS has also joined the International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases (ICGMN), which is led by UCL. The ICGMN is a five million Euro initiative that would bring skills and resources from five countries together, with a goal to advance genetic diagnosis, the statement adds.

International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases (ICGMN)

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