NAGPUR: In a unique initiative Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), a deemed university in Wardha, is starting a doctorate programme in forensic medicine from this academic session onwards.
To begin with, the university will be inviting applications for five students, since only one professor is available to guide the PhD students. Speaking to TOI, pro-chancellor Dr Ved Prakash Mishra, the man behind the innovative idea, said it was a futuristic approach to start a doctoral degree in forensic medicine in a private set up, as very few medical colleges in the country have even a postgraduate degree in forensic medicine.
"Our institute, the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, a constituent unit of DMIMS, has all the prerequisites for starting a course. The college has an experienced supervisor to guide the students and is a recognized centre for postgraduate research in medical sciences by the University Grants Commission," said Dr Mishra.
Since there are very few avenues for postgraduate degrees in forensic medicine in various medical colleges across the country, there are almost no qualified teachers in the subject. DMIMS has created a platform to churn out teachers. All teachers at medical colleges can take up this course and upgrade their qualification. Also, those working in the field of forensic medicine can take up this course to improve their professional qualification.
There is another handicap in the development of forensic medicine as a medical subject at large scale. Private medical colleges all over the country are not entitled to do post mortems or autopsy work, since the state governments do not grant permission for this to unaided and private medical colleges.
Otherwise too, most private colleges cannot meet requirements of the Medical Council of India (MCI) in conducting post mortem work and hence there are minimal avenues to improve postgraduate education in forensic medicine.
The department of forensic medicine at JNMC, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, is headed by Dr AJ Anjankar, who possesses the prescribed eligibility to be recognized as PhD supervisor. The university has already got an inspection done for the course.
Since DMIMS is a deemed university, it does not require any other clearance from any other agency. "The doctoral degree will go a long way in the field of higher education in forensic medicine and create better professionals in the subject, which is fast evolving elsewhere in the world," said Dr Mishra.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/DMIMS-Wardha-introduces-PhD-in-forensic-medicine/articleshow/14872327.cms