Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS): Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology-Shibpur are in talks to start courses on nuclear science and initiate research collaborations in food preservation and healthcare.

BARC director Sekhar Basu said the centre assists universities in designing courses, installing laboratory facilities and providing faculty, and at IIEST-Shibpur, a similar procedure is being thought of.

"IIEST has a good enough faculty and lab facility, so we are discussing it. We have many standard procedures and whichever they find attractive, they could select," Basu told IANS on Friday.

"Many universities have started courses (designed by us). A course in nuclear physics can be started and fellowships can be initiated at the Masters (post-graduate) level."

This apart, Basu said, research collaborations in food preservation, waste management, radio-isotopes as well as nuclear medicine have been proposed.