IIT Delhi, AIIMS, University College London join hands for medical tech innovation

The IIT Delhi-AIIMS-UCL collaboration will involve student and staff exchanges, joint research initiatives, collaborative degree programmes, and knowledge sharing through workshops and publications.

In Short

• AIIMS, IIT Delhi, and UCL form partnership for healthcare innovation
• Focus on diagnostics, AI, medical devices, and digital health
• Aim to set new standards and improve global health outcomes

A partnership has been established between AIIMS New Delhi, IIT Delhi, and University College London (UCL) to advance healthcare innovation and address global health challenges.

The collaboration, announced on November 22, 2024, aims to leverage the combined expertise of these prestigious institutions to create transformative solutions in medical technology.

The alliance will prioritise cutting-edge fields such as diagnostics, imaging, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and digital health. The primary goal is to develop cost-effective, innovative technologies that enhance patient care and tackle pressing healthcare issues worldwide.

Professor Alok Thakar, Head of the Centre for Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship at AIIMS, highlighted the initiative's potential, stating, “This partnership combines expertise in medical science, engineering, and global policy to foster MedTech innovation. Together, we aim to set new standards in healthcare and improve patient outcomes.”

Similarly, Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, emphasised the importance of affordability in healthcare, saying, “By integrating science, engineering, and medicine, we can create impactful, cost-effective solutions to improve lives.”

KEY FEATURES OF COLLABORATION

The partnership will facilitate:

• Joint research programs targeting global health challenges.
• Student and staff exchanges to promote cross-disciplinary learning.
• Collaborative degree programs to nurture future innovators.
• Workshops, conferences, and publications to disseminate knowledge and insights.

Dr. Michael Spence, President and Provost of UCL, underscored the value of international collaboration, stating, “Bringing together diverse disciplines through global partnerships can address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.”

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the delegation visited mPRAGATI, IIT Delhi's premier medical technology development centre.

Professor Naresh Bhatnagar, Dean of R&D at IIT Delhi, remarked, “Modern medical science is deeply intertwined with technology. This collaboration will create solutions that benefit people not just in India and the UK but globally.”

By combining their expertise in engineering, medicine, and policy-making, AIIMS, IIT Delhi, and UCL are paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.

This collaboration signifies a bold step towards developing innovative, accessible medical technologies that have the potential to reshape the global healthcare landscape.