Research Program in Healthcare Technology: A Closer Look

In an innovative program to bridge the gap between medicine and engineering, the Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME) at IIT Delhi has launched an exclusive Master of Science (Research) program in ‘Healthcare Technology’ and this unique program, which starts in January 2025, is specifically designed for medical and allied clinical professionals integrating the principles of medicine with cutting-edge engineering disciplines that foster deep-tech innovations in healthcare. The curriculum includes core subjects and laboratory courses crucial for the healthcare industry, alongside scientific research training, which prepares students for higher academic pursuits or industrial lab roles.

Program Overview 

The MS (Research) in Healthcare Technology stands out for its highly project-centric approach, ensuring students gain hands-on real-world application experience. Participants will benefit from clinical and industrial immersion with leading institutes and corporations, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of both the medical and technological landscapes this immersive experience is expected to pave the way for graduates to embark on entrepreneurial ventures or engage in advanced medical technology research and development (R&D).

The main focus of the MS programme is to develop the basis for critical thinking, enhance problem-solving abilities, and provide a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies, equipping graduates to address complex challenges in healthcare technology. 

Key features 

• One of the key features of this program is its flexibility which allows medical professionals to continue their clinical practice while pursuing their studies. 
• This ensures that practitioners can apply their learning directly to clinical work, enhancing patient care with innovative solutions.
• The program is thoughtfully designed with core subjects and laboratory courses to impart skills required by the Healthcare Industry along with training to take up scientific research either for higher studies or in Industry and clinical laboratories. 
• The students enrolled in this program will be supported by high-value fellowships and remunerations that are comparable to salaries and stipends available for medical and allied discipline graduates at entry-level positions.
• The program also offers a seamless transition to pursue a PhD at IIT Delhi. This pathway underscores the program’s commitment to fostering long-term research and innovation in the biomedical field. 

Enrollment Process 

Designed for medical and allied clinical professionals, the programme will start in January 2025. The registration deadline to apply is October 25, 2024. Interested and eligible candidates can get themselves registered on ecampus.iitd.ac.in/PGADM/login. During this course, it will be ensured that the students gain hands-on experience with real-world applications.

Enrolled students are supported by high-value fellowships, offering remunerations akin to entry-level positions for medical and allied discipline graduates. The program also provides a seamless transition for those aiming to pursue a PhD at IIT Delhi, demonstrating its commitment to long-term research and innovation in biomedicine.

Highlighting the importance of such a program, Prof Neetu Singh Head, CBME, IIT Delhi, explained, “The program will provide the much-needed intermediate degree and training for filling the gap between traditional bachelor’s and longer duration Master’s and doctoral degrees needed to become an independent researcher for the medical and allied professionals. It will bring medical and allied graduates to scientific research in leading academic institutions. Through this program, IIT Delhi envisions producing globally competitive human resources that can not only uplift the start-up culture and industrial output but will also fuel high-quality scientific research related to biomedical science and engineering.”

Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar, Dean, of Research and Development, at IIT Delhi and a medical device expert said that the program is in sync with many national missions. It has been designed to align with the objectives and priorities of India in the healthcare sector. Considering the country’s efforts in developing medical products in India rather than simply manufacturing, this program and the trainees can impact the healthcare Industry in a big way. It will provide unique opportunities for medical graduates and bring them to the forefront of technology development and innovation, which again has been dominated by pure science and engineering graduates.

Through this program, students can expect to engage in cutting-edge research projects encompassing areas such as precision medicine, biomaterials, medical implants, medical imaging, rehabilitation, biomimetics models, and translational medicine. It is designed to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of research methodologies, ensuring that graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges in the field. Since the program will also focus on entrepreneurship skill development the medical graduates will be intellectually equipped to start their entrepreneurial journey.