Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 21 (ANI): Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati announced the launch of its new four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering. The program will be offered by the Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology (JBMSHST) at IIT Guwahati.

A key highlight of the program will include the collaborative learning experience with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati.

The launch event was attended by distinguished guests, including Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati; Prof. Ashok Puranik, Director, AIIMS Guwahati; and Prof. U.S.N. Murty, Director, NIPER Guwahati. Prof. Sukumar, Nandi, Dean of Administration, Prof. K.V. Krishna, Dean of Academic Courses, Prof. S. Kanagaraj, Head, JBMSHST, and Dr. Subrata Pramanik, SUPC Secretary, JBMSHST, Dr. Rajiv Kumar Kar, SPPC Secretary, JBMSHST, Dr. Erwin Fuhrer, Prof. Shankar Prasad Kanaujia, Chairman JEE (Adv), Prof. Harshall B. Nemade, Head, EEE and Dr. Debabrata Sikdar, among others, were also present.

Rahul Mehta, Founder, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation (MFF), USA, and Naveen Jha, Global Director, Mehta Family Foundation, virtually attended the event.

Sharing his thoughts on the program, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, 'This interdisciplinary program brings together engineering, medical sciences, and pharmacology on a single platform, addressing the need for professionals who can work across disciplines to tackle future challenges. As the problems of tomorrow will not fit into traditional silos, this program is designed to bridge those gaps. Supported by the Mehta Family Foundation and reviewed by leading experts from IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati and NIPER Guwahati, it is set to be a pioneering initiative. We are confident that this program will foster the next generation of biomedical engineers, preparing them to innovate and lead in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.'

The application process for the program will begin on 25th April 2025 and will remain open until 25th May 2025.

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the official website at https://iitg.ac.in/acad/ or https://iitg.ac.in/iitg_academic?aca=school-of-health-science-and-technology for detailed information and to submit their applications. For any queries, applicants may write to [email protected].

Speaking during the launch event, Prof. Ashok Puranik, Director, AIIMS Guwahati, said, 'This multi-institutional collaboration is a landmark initiative that will shape the future of healthcare and education in India. With this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between engineering, biotechnology, and medicine. With advancements in genomics, Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, and nanotechnology, it empowers the next generation of biomedical innovators. By combining the strengths of AIIMS Guwahati, IIT Guwahati, and NIPER Guwahati, we are creating an ecosystem that will drive the future of healthcare and medical technology in India.'

During his address, Prof. U.S.N. Murty, Director, NIPER Guwahati, said, 'I am delighted to be part of this exceptional interdisciplinary program. It offers students a unique opportunity to specialise in advanced fields such as neuroscience, personalised medicine, and pharma-engineering after three years. This collaboration between IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati, and NIPER Guwahati is a pioneering effort that will set new standards in healthcare education and research in India, with the potential to evolve into a joint degree program in the future.'

The program will offer a strong academic foundation with comprehensive coursework spanning pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical domains. Students will gain hands-on skill development through specialised engineering modules designed to bridge the gap between technology and healthcare.

A key feature of the program is the clinical immersion experience, where students will have the opportunity to interact with leading surgeons and medical practitioners. Additionally, the curriculum boasts a cross-institutional learning framework in collaboration with AIIMS Guwahati and NIPER Guwahati to ensure exposure to diverse perspectives in biomedical science and engineering.

Emphasising the significance of the program and its unique interdisciplinary approach, Rahul Mehta, CEO, the Mehta Family Foundation, said, 'This program represents a thoughtful step forward at the intersection of healthcare and engineering, two domains that will shape the future of India. What makes it truly special is the collaboration between IIT Guwahati, AIIMS Guwahati, and NIPER Guwahati, bringing together doctors, scientists, and engineers under one academic vision. For students passionate about both mathematics and biology, this program will enable them to innovate in areas such as medical devices, drug discovery, and more.'

The program curriculum is designed to be multidisciplinary and future-focused, encompassing a wide range of subjects including Mechanics, Electrical and Electronic Systems, Mathematical modelling, Design and Prototyping, and Bioinformatics. In addition to this, students will also engage with advanced topics such as:

Biomedical devices, Pharmacology, Informatics and AI in medicine, Bioinstrumentation, Sensors and wearable devices

This diverse program curriculum will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to innovate at the intersection of engineering and healthcare. From a career perspective, graduates of the program will find opportunities across a wide range of domains, including bioinstrumentation, biomedical devices, pharmacology and therapeutics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence, as well as research and development in health technology. (ANI)