Maastricht University,  a global university in Netherlands is now gearing up to tap the translational research partnership opportunities with leading life sciences and medical research centres in the country.   In this regard, it has inked Memorandum of Understanding with leading medical research institutes which include the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Narayana Hrudayalaya and St Johns Medical College and Hospitals.

In the case of NIMHANS, the research focus with the Maastricht will be  on infectious diseases, degenerative disorders, age related neurology conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression and genetic mental diseases, stated Prof P Satishchandra, director, vice chancellor, NIMHANS.

Bangalore is now the  headquarters of the Maastricht Education and Research Centre, India which is subsidiary of Maastricht University. The translational research effort which calls for a joint work culture among medical scientists will focus on problem solving  in areas of social relevance.

The Maastricht University which excels in various research disciplines  of neurosciences and  cardiology has tailored programmes for health, medicine, life sciences, psychology and neurosciences.

 Among the areas of interest with Indian research institutes would be metabolic disease, artificial  intelligence, hospital  managements. “We are looking at Masters’ research  and doctoral programmes and want to foster academic collaboration,” stated Dr VG Kumar, executive director,  Maastricht Education and Research Centre, at a  press conclave.

According to Dr Jo Ritzen, president, Maastricht University, quality education without research lacks  innovation and top research without education lacks inspiration. India, having evolved as the preferred destination for R&D due to a variety of well-known reasons, is of course the natural focus for University of Maastricht  to stretch its wings beyond Europe. Setting up a subsidiary at Bangalore,   the Maastricht Education and Research Centre Pvt. Limited  is the first major step in the direction of partnering with India ever since it has shown interest to develop partnerships in India in 2007."

“Our collaboration with India should primarily be based on long term commitment for which all research institutes  should build intensive relationships and profit from each  other’s networks”, stated Prof. Dr. GG Frits van Merode, vice dean of the faculty of health, medicine and life sciences and dean of Bio, member of Board of Maastricht University, Medical Centre, Scientific Director, India.

Other institutes which inked pacts with Maastricht University included  National Law School – Bangalore, Indian Statistics Institute – Kolkata for bioinformatics and biostatics.