MUHS launches company to boost research, innovation

Indian Express

09-06-2025

The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) which celebrates its foundation day on June 10 has proposed to set up the Maharashtra State Health Training Research Institute (MSHTRI) as an Apex Centre of Excellence (ACOE) at MUHS. As part of this effort, the varsity launched CHAKRA – Company for Health, Applied Knowledge and Research Autonomy.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was the chief guest at the launch function held recently at Nashik. When contacted, Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MUHS told The Indian Express that it is being developed as a hub and spoke model to make the existing government medical colleges into thematic spokes of excellence in phases. 'The project has been provided autonomy through the state-supported CHAKRA,' Kanitkar added.
MUHS holds a distinguished position as a premier health university with a diverse range of affiliated health science colleges. The recently instituted Network of Centres of Excellence (COE) Policy, 2023 aligns with MUHS's commitment to drive healthcare standards to greater heights across Maharashtra.
The emphasis lies heavily on ensuring the highest standards of quality, accessibility, and comprehensive care and the establishment of a coordinated Network of COEs, as detailed in the policy, is expected to streamline efforts to achieve excellence in medical research, advanced education, and patient care.
According to Kanitkar, the focus will be on critical priority initiatives like a faculty development academy, digital health centre and clinical trials centre.
'In the first phase of the implementation roadmap, we have proposed a Maharashtra State Health Training Research Institute (MSHTRI). As part of this effort, a faculty development academy is an important initiative that will enhance the capabilities of educators, ensuring the continuous update of their knowledge base and utilization of latest and best-in-class teaching approaches,' Dr Kanitkar said. She added that in the first year she envisages at least 400 trained faculty.
A simulation lab is another state-of-the-art facility that integrates theoretical learning with its practical application, facilitating a realistic exposure to clinical scenarios for students. 'In the first year the aim is to train 1,000 students,' the Vice-Chancellor said.
While a digital learning studio is a contemporary initiative that focuses on integrating digital tools into the academic curriculum, offering a hybrid approach to medical education, the VC has also proposed an incubation centre. 'This is a dedicated hub for medical innovation, designed to foster research collaborations and facilitate the progression of innovative ideas into tangible healthcare solutions. This centre will aim to support healthcare start-ups and create entrepreneurial medical professionals. In the first year, the aim is to include 10 research projects in incubation and support 10 start-ups,' Dr Kanitkar said.
Apart from providing training in the latest digital health tools and technologies, setting up a Clinical Trials Centre will provide guidance on a standardised approach to clinical research, ensuring adherence to global best practices and fostering advancements in medical research.
'These priority initiatives have been identified through a combination of secondary research involving detailed desk review and primary research involving interactions and observations during field visits to renowned centres of teaching and research excellence,' the V-C added.
Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition.
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