Page 3 - Spectrum Volume 14 Issue 3

2020 | Spectrum | Volume 14 Number 3 3

Prof Ashutosh Sharma on

Convergence of multiple

disciplines to address

future challenges

STAFF WRITTER which as a result of sustainable
knowledge, can address major
SRM University-AP, Andhra challenges.” Urging everyone
Pradesh invited Prof Ashutosh to do their individual job well,
Sharma, Secretary, Department of Prof Sharma informed that
Science and Technology (DST), capacity of learning is the most
Government of India to deliver prized possession. He said,
the University Distinguished “Capacity to adapt to change,
Lecture. Prof K Hema Chandra learn new things, and lifelong
Reddy, Chairman, Andhra learning is paramount to thrive.
Pradesh State Council Of Higher The convergence of multiple
Education, Prof V S Rao, Vice- disciplines has an instrumental
Chancellor, Prof D Narayana role in solving crucial problems.
Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor, faculty Our education system must
members, and more than 700 have parallel structures for SRM hospital launches
participants attended the lecture multidisciplinary knowledge
on “Art of Science in the Time creation and research. We should
of Virus and Beyond: The Brave be crossing borders of knowledge third phase f COVAXIN
New World”. For the first time, and expanding the boundaries
SRM AP presented welcome of disciplines.”
bouquet and virtual memento Prof Sharma suggested the trial; Seeks volunteers
to Prof. Ashutosh Sharma. The scientific community to become
virtual avatars were created by self-reliant. He said, “Quality,
SRM AP students who used relevance, and appropriate
applications developed by them direction of knowledge will STAFF WRITTER Investigator for COVAXIN Dr. the human volunteer,” said Dr.Lt
such as character creator and lead the world. Coupled with Satyajit Mahopatra along with Col Dr. A. Ravi Kumar, Pro
bundle software. Further, Prof it, cultural aspects such as “SRM Medical College Dr. Melvin George. Vice Chancellor (Medical and
D Narayana Rao extended the self-confidence, and self- Hospital and Research Centre Health Sciences).
warmest welcome to the guests respect makes up the art of (SRM MCHRC), Kattankulathur “Any person above 18 years
and commenced the programme. science.” Emphasizing on the has successfully completed of age and had not suffered Indian Council for Medical
He informed, “DST has taken importance of collaboration, Prof two phases of human testing COVID19 illness in the past Research (ICMR) is collaborating
up the daunting task of making Sharma concluded, “Covid 19 of the COVAXIN trial and the can participate as a volunteer with Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad
India as one of the world leaders spontaneously spurred the spirit third phase for the same will in this trial. Pregnant women in the development of COVAXIN.
in science and technology of collaboration with a clear and start today (7th December are excluded. The vaccine shot SRM Medical College Hospital
with several projects aimed shared purpose. Researchers 2020), said SRM MCHRC’s will be administered twice - and Research Centre is the
at motivating and harnessing should have a scientific temper Pro Chancellor (Academics) 28 days apart,” said Principal only private Medical College
talent to be better equipped to which entails rational analysis of Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan. Investigator for COVAXIN, Dr. Hospital in Tamil Nadu to be
face future challenges”. Satyajit Mahopatra. selected to carry out all three
situation, positivity, optimism, Speaking at a press meet phases of the COVAXIN trial.
Hema Chandra Reddy and cooperation. The scientific held at the launch of the third The hospital will be able to This vaccine has got the nod
delivered a brief speech on community should critically phase of the COVAXIN trial conduct the trial for 50 people for human trials from the Drug
research initiatives in science challenge views, be inquisitive, in the hospital, he said that the a day. Once the process is Controller General of India.
and technology introduced by the and be able to engage people number of patients who will be successful, the vaccine will be
Government of Andhra Pradesh. in purposeful conversation.” tested in this final phase will be approved on a fast track basis. “SRM MCHRC is well-
He informed, “Government of Prof Ashuthosh Sharma said over 1000. SRM MCHRC is currently equipped with various facilities
AP is planning to establish AP “the scientists of the country treating 21 COVID 19 patients to handle clinical trials such as
state research board to promote need to be leaders and not the “Until now we have received and on average 80 people are COVID 19. It provides 24-hours
multidisciplinary quality research followers. 500 volunteers for the test. We screened for COVID19. emergency services and has well-
and coordination among the will be taking in more volunteers The first phase of human qualified doctors and nurses,” said
universities.” Further, Prof Some of the faculty members till the end of December 2020. trials at SRM MCHRC began Dr. A. Sundaram, Dean, SRM
Ashutosh Sharma took the virtual of SRM University-AP interacted We are trying our best to make in July 2020 with 30 volunteers. MCHRC
podium to speak about science, with the DST Secretary and this work, as it will be India’s The second phase was done in The hospital has so far treated
technology, and innovation. made a brief presentation first indigenous vaccine,” he August in which 45 volunteers 1400 COVID patients since April
Picturesquely, he explained, about a few flagship projects added. participated. In both these phases, 2020. Both Allopathy and Siddha
“Innovation pertains to visual of the University viz., “SRM – Also present with SRM the safety of the vaccine was medicines in combination are used
imaginations and thinking. Amara Raja Centre for Energy MCHRC’s Pro Chancellor ascertained. In the trial conducted to treat COVID patients. SRM
Knowledge becomes sustainable Storage Devices”, “Hydrogen- (Academics) Dr. P. Sathya at SRM hospital, none of the Medical College Hospital and
when invention and innovation Powered Fuel Cell Based Train narayanan were Pro Vice volunteers suffered any serious Research Centre has been doing
are balanced. Invention uses in association with the Ministry Chancellor (Medical and Health reactions except for mild fever this under the able guidance of
resources to produce knowledge, of Railways”, “3-D printing of Sciences) Dr. Lt Col Dr. A. Ravi and body ache. Chancellor Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar
whereas innovation deploys Gold Jewellery in association Kumar, Dean Dr. A. Sundaram, and Pro Chancellor (Academics)
knowledge to generate economic with Tanishq Jewellers”. Prof Medical Superintendent “SRM MCHRC is the only Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan. Those
resources”. Ashthosh Sharma commended the Dr. K. Thangaraj, Deputy private Medical College Hospital wishing to volunteer for this
outstanding research initiatives Medical Superintendent Dr. in Tamil Nadu to undertake this clinical trial can call 7598951868,
Prof Sharma accentuated that
Covid-19 taught us the lesson of the University and said that R. Balamurugan, Director trial. The third phase is to assess 7358026002, 044-47432341 or
DST will be happy to extend
(Communication) Mr. R. the efficacy of the Vaccine in email to srm.covaxin2020@
that “sustainable development,
the support. Nandakummar and Principal inducing immunogenicity in gmail.com.