Media Release

Udupi, Oct 11: National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal University (MU) on Wednesday October 9, in the presence of Dr V M Katoch, secretary, department of health research and director general, ICMR, New Delhi and Dr Ramdas M Pai, chancellor, Manipal University.

In the felicitation address, Dr V M Katoch highlighted the lack of human resources in the field of occupational health.

He appreciated the collaborative work of building human resources and research capacities in occupational health carried out by between NIOH and MU. “It has gone beyond the informal level of working and made a commitment to set a productive and relevant timely agenda by signing a MoU. The emerging professionals and the already existing professionals in this field have to be trained by workshops/ seminars, and then take the issues area wise. The projects run by NIOH or both institutions or by any other institutions need to create a network which would benefit all,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging the partners that this MoU will be a platform for joint action, for research, creating human resources with medical and non-medical fraternity with a focus on environment and occupational health. Dr V M Katoch also released “HYGIEA”, the newsletter of Department of Public Health, MU.

Dr H R Rajmohan, officer-in-charge, Regional Occupational Health Centre, Bangalore gave the opening remarks by giving the background of partnership that is been existing between NIOH and MU for the last couple of years.

He also enumerated the strategies developed as part of the MoU. Followed by the opening remarks, Dr Sunil Kumar, director-in-charge, NIOHand Dr G K Prabhu, registrar, MU signed the MoU.

Dr Sunil Kumar mentioned that this MoU will be a milestone in history of NIOH and Department of Public Health, Manipal University. He assured that this collaboration will go a long way to develop and strengthen manpower in the country in the area of EOH and also research capabilities in the country.

Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MU congratulated NIOH and Department of Public Health, MU for entering into a formal agreement of taking relevant collaborative initiatives in occupational health. He assured that MU will provide all support to the endeavours planned and implemented as part of this MoU.

Dr Ramachandra Kamath, professor and head, Department of Public Health, Manipal University highlighted that Master of Public Health (MPH) with a track on environment and occupational health is first of its kind in India and gave the overview of departmental activities in occupational health as he welcomed the gathering.