UOH signs MoU with Infection Control Academy of India

Hyderabad: An overarching memorandum of understanding between the University of Hyderabad – represented by the School of Medical Sciences and Infection Control Academy of India (IFCAI), Hyderabad was signed in the presence of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Professor Appa Rao Podile, Pro Vice-Chancellors Prof. Arun Agarwal, Prof. P Prakash Babu and other officials on Wednesday. The signatories were Registrar P Sardar Singh UoH and Ranga Reddy Burri, President, Infection Control Academy of India.

This MoU of 3-year duration will undertake activities broadly in three areas namely:
l Student and faculty interactions which will include exchange of faculty visits and lectures, opportunities for student & scholar research and projects, development of white papers and publications and community engagement through workshops, conferences and symposia on core competencies.

1. Education Development through conceptualisation and delivery of skill & competency-based courses both online and face-to-face targeted to lay and technical audiences on Infection Prevention and Control.
2. Research and Development through collaborative proposal development, conceptualising and incubating ideas for implementation and development of affordable products and technology.

The signing was followed by the launch of the unique “Infection Prevention and Control – Primer course” developed under the aegis of the Commonwealth of Learning assistance to the University of Hyderabad by the E-Learning Centre of the University. The Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Prakash Babu welcomed the gathering and emphasised that in line with the thinking of the school of greater social accountability, this MoU gives more opportunities for leverage.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated the efforts of the school and IFCAI in formalising the informal relationship into a formal one through this MoU and also in a very important and priority public health area related to infection control in health care settings. He said that infections affect human, animal and plant life and a great bane to humankind. He was very happy that the e-learning course could reach more people very quickly and lauded the steps in the right direction.

Prof. Prabhakar Rao, Director, E-Learning Centre talked about the efforts of the E-learning centre and its role in University Social Responsibility. Ranga Reddy Burri, President, IFCAI talked about the culmination of efforts for formalizing this MoU and the need for developing more activities in the area of IPC. He said many “firsts” are attached to this MoU, E-learning course and other plans.