Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Deakin University, Australia organized a day long workshop on diabetes to explore opportunities of research and highlight the critical areas where urgent progress is required. Aptly titled “Diabetes Research – A Fertile Field with Numerous Opportunities” the workshop was also a celebration of 25 years of Deakin University’s engagement in India. Ms. Susan Grace, Australian Consul – General, Chennai; Professor Jane den Hollader AO, Vice – Chancellor & President, Deakin University; Professor David Austin, Associate Dean -International, Deakin University, Professor V. Mohan, President, MDRF and Professor S.P. Thyagarajan, Professor of Eminence & Dean (Research), SRM University, Chennai inaugurated the session.
Commemorating 25 years of engagement with Deakin University, Australia and India (1994 to 2019), DeakinUniversity, Australia is hosting a range of events in collaboration with The Australian Trade and Investment Commission and its India partners to explore future engagements in areas of strategic importance to India and Australia. As part of this initiative, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre’s research wing Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Deakin University, Australia organized a day long workshop to further research initiatives in diabetic treatment and care. Participating at the event were eminent faculty from Deakin University, Australia including Professor Jane den Hollander AO, Vice -Chancellor & President, Deakin University, Professor Julie Owens, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Anna Peeters, Director, Institute for Health Transformation, Professor.Jon Watson, Dean, School of Medicine, ProfessorJo Williams, Associate Head of School (Research), Dr. Kathryn Aston -Mourney, Senior Lecturer in Human Biology, School of Medicine, Dr. Virginia Hagger, Lecturer in Nursing, School of Nursing and Professor Ken Walder, Chair in Metabolic Diseases.
Commenting on the workshop, Professor V.Mohan, President, MDRF and Honorary Professor, Deakin University said, “We are happy to say that MDRF is collaborating with the Deakin University for over 5 years. Ph.D programmes and Diabetes Nurse Educator’s course are being conducted at MDRF in collaboration with Deakin University. So far, three students have completed their PhD and three are currently pursuing their doctoral degree and 30 nurses have completed the 4-month diabetes nurse educator’s course at MDRF. Both these programmes are successful collaborative initiatives in India. MDRF is partnering with Deakin in organizing this workshop to brainstorm on the research opportunities, challenges and solutions with renowned medical professionals, scientists, physicians, young researchers, and students working in the field of diabetes to tackle the burden of diabetes in India.”
Professor S.P. Thyagarajan congratulates MDRF for taking up several novel research projects on Diabetes.
The workshop witnessed participation from renowned experts and eminent people including Ms. Susan Grace, Australian Consul – General; Dr. Ashok Kumar Das, Professor, Department of Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry; Dr. Uma Ram, Director & Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seethapathy Clinic & Hospitals, Chennai; Dr. R. Madhavan, Consultant Diabetologist, The Guest Hospital and Former Director and Professor, Institute of Diabetology, Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Govt. General Hospital, Chennai; Dr. P. Dharmarajan, Professor & Head, Department of Diabetology, Institute of Diabetology, Madras Medical College and Govt. General Hospital, Chennai and Dr. R.M. Anjana, Vice President, MDRF.
