“Cancer Research by USTM in association with Cachar Cancer Hospital”

 The north-eastern region has the highest incidence of cancer in India and is

also burdened by higher prevalence of risk factors and inadequate cancer treatment facilities. With an

objective to contribute to this matter of grave concern, the University of Science and Technology

Meghalaya (USTM) has joined hands with the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC)

which is making immense contribution providing equitable and accessible healthcare services to the

cancer patients mainly from the underprivileged communities of Barak valley. To facilitate work on

cancer research, education and awareness under the expertise of CCHRC, a Memorandum of

Understanding was signed today between the two institutions at Silchar. The MoU was signed by

renowned oncologist Padma Shri Dr Ravi Kannan, Director, CCHRC and Prof G. D. Sharma, Vice

Chancellor, USTM in the presence of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor, USTM; Dr R.M. Pant, Vice

Chancellor, Assam University, Silchar; Dr Sujit Kumar Nandi Purkayastha, former Principal, Silchar

Medical College & Chairman, Chachar Cancer Hospital Society; Dr Satya Ranjn Bhattacharjee, Vice

Chairman, Chachar Cancer Hospital Society; Dr Bibhash Deb, Advisor, ERDF, apart from other

dignitaries and guests.

After ceremonial exchange of the copies of the MoU, Prof G. D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM said,

“USTM and CCHRC shall collaborate to start joint PhD Programme in Cancer and Biomedical Research.

CCHRC shall offer support in completion of Course work. We shall also start Fellowship Programs in

Clinical Oncology, joint Bachelors and PG degrees in Hospital Management, Radiation Therapy Tech,

Medical Lab Tech, Physician Assistant, Surgeon Assistant, etc.”

Dr. Ravi Kannan, Director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research centre said that both the institutions

shall work in collaboration to set up an Advanced Cancer Research centre at USTM to carry out

throughput research in cancer related diseases of especially the north-eastern region. “We will extend

facilities to a limited number of BSc & MSc students of USTM for Internship and short duration

summer/winter training programmes at CCHRC under the relevant guidelines. We will also provide

necessary facility to the students and faculty of USTM to conduct various academic activities”, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM said, “CCHRC is a comprehensive

cancer care facility where nearly 80% of the patients are daily wage workers, agricultural and tea garden

labourers and nearly 75% are treated for free or at subsidised charges. From now onwards CCHR will be

authorized centre for research activities at USTM and we will extend all academic support and offer

fellowships to conduct research etc.”

Mr Hoque said that joint research projects shall be submitted under joint supervision to the concerned

govt. departments / agencies for funding so that cutting edge research can be pursued utilizing the

expertise of both the institutes. The CCHRC will design courses on Cancer Biology for MSc and for BSc

students and USTM shall start the Course from the next academic session, he added.

According to the MoU, specialized and short duration refresher courses, training programmes and project

management courses on topics of interest to the Government/Industry/Academia can be jointly offered at

USTM or CCHRC. CCHRC will extend necessary facilities and resource persons to organize talks/

awareness programmes within or outside the University premises from time to time as part of their

outreach initiatives. CCHRC will offer support to USTM in completion of course work for all

collaborated programmes and also help in joint development of curriculum for any such new programs.

On the other hand, USTM Research Fellowships shall be offered to the employees of CCHRC joining

such Programmes.

Outreach activities like initiation of a Rural Clinic will get focus under the collaboration. Joint

supervision shall be extended to Research Scholars to work on development of Cell lines and develop a

Cell Culture Centre. Both the institutions will collaborate to design and run some Joint Diploma Courses.

Sophisticated Laboratory Facilities will be shared to facilitate the Research scientists and Research

Scholars of both the organisations. The CCHRC will also design some Value added courses to be

implemented in various programmes of USTM.