Manipal and McGill Universities Join Forces to Advance Infectious Diseases Research and Training

With the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 13^th August 2016, the Manipal McGill Center for Infectious Diseases (MAC-ID) was launched in Manipal, with an aim of fostering research and training collaborations in the field of infectious and tropical diseases between Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India and McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Both universities have major strengths in the area of infectious and tropical diseases, and the MOU formalized already ongoing research and training collaborations between the schools.

Dr H Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education was the Chief Guest and Dr Poornima Baliga, Dean of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal was the Guest of honour. In his inaugural address Dr Bhat declared that the research output of the Center should be aimed at three levels, namely to inform the peers in the scientific community, guide the policy makers and provide health literacy to enlighten the public for the betterment of health.

The launch event was marked by an inaugural Symposium which addressed infectious diseases topics such as antimicrobial resistance, diagnosis of acute fevers, and molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases. It brought together over 180 interested faculty, students and research scholars in a platform conducive for active interaction with experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases. Dr Kavitha Saravu, Professor of Medicine, KMC Manipal and the Joint Coordinator of the new Centre, welcomed the gathering and noted that the Centre will focus on collaborative research in infectious diseases and enhance academic exchanges between the universities. Dr Madhukar Pai, Director, McGill Global Health Programs and Associate Director, McGill International TB Centre and the Joint Coordinator of MAC ID, McGill University spoke about how the Center will leverage the diverse and complementary strengths of both universities. Dr Shrikala Baliga, Professor of Microbiology, KMC Mangalore proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Sneha Deepak Mallya, Associate Professor of Community Medicine, KMC Manipal compered the program.