MIPA highlights the power of partnerships
The Melbourne-India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA) program and conference see participation of MDHS for the first time.
Image: Dr Debnath Ghosal presenting at the MIPA conference in November
This year, Dr Debnath Ghosal from the Dept of Biochemistry & Pharmacology at the Bio21 Institute, worked with Prof Dick Strugnell (Honorary, Dept of Microbiology & Immunology), and Prof Mike McGuckin (Deputy Dean and Director Research Strategy, MDHS) to bring the Faculty of MDHS into the MIPA scheme. This means that now, both MDHS and the School of Biomedical Sciences can recruit PhD candidates through the MIPA program.
Debnath, who is the MDHS Academic Lead for MIPA, said the Academy has been instrumental in promoting collaborative and innovative research and facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise since its inception.
MIPA nurtures a truly international community of next- generation researchers...we are thrilled that the Faculty of MDHS has recently joined MIPA.
“We have already recruited our first PhD student, Jagat Narayan Prajapati, with joint supervisors Dr Arnab Barik from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and Prof Stuart Mazzone from the Department of Anatomy & Physiology (SBS) at the University of Melbourne,” Debnath said.
Professor Jane Gunn, Dean of MDHS said the Faculty has strong ties with India including through research, clinical training and leaderships programs.
“We are delighted to now expand our work through the MIPA program…and look forward to welcoming our joint PhD candidates, to nurture their ideas - and together with our MIPA partners prepare them to drive transformative outcomes in health research in their communities," Professor Gunn said.
The Academy’s conference held bi-annually, provides a platform for graduate researchers to expand their networks, exchange ideas and share research with the University and the collaborating Indian Institutes of Technology. This year's conference held in November saw over 100 participants from across the University and partner institutes in India, and gave PhD candidates the opportunity to present their research.
Image: Prof Mike McGuckin, Deputy Dean of MDHS, speaking at the MIPA conference
About the Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA)
MIPA is a joint initiative of established researchers and joint PhD candidates from the University of Melbourne and a group of India’s elite research universities, engaging in projects that address key issues in science and technology.