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Role of Biomedical Research in Public Health: Nepal Perspective

Role of Biomedical Research in Public Health: Nepal Perspective

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Role of Biomedical Research in Public Health: Nepal Perspective
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<strong>Centre for Studies in Science Policy School of Social Sciences, JNU</strong> A talk on <strong>Role of Biomedical Research in Public Health: Nepal Perspective</strong> by  <strong>DR SAMEER M DIXIT</strong> Founder Director of Research Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN) <strong>Date: Friday, 2nd September 2016</strong> <strong>Abstract: </strong>Biomedical (or laboratory-based, basic science-driven) (BM) research is no longer a novel or an ignored field of public health (PH) in member countries of the SAARC region. However, as compared to big scientific powerhouses globally, Nepal has a long way to go to make BM research mainstream in the PH sector. Understanding of the pathogens that cause certain diseases, and also issues of human immunity that play roles in both communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs- such as cancers, diabetes etc.) is an integral part of BM research. In Nepal, there appears to be a changing trend of approach to BM research in terms of human resource involved and the technology/infrastructure available to carry out those research activities. Medical and nonmedical sectors are now showing active participation in carrying out BM research in the country. Yet, challenges remain to effectively utilize the knowledge of BM research as well as use of this research to support ongoing disease surveillance in the country. This talk discusses these issues and briefly showcases the role of a research institution based in Nepal- which is now generating interest in the country (and also outside) in this field of science and public health.

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.