GUWAHATI: Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, a grant-in-aid institute of the Department of Atomic Energy and a unit of Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai has for the first time in Northeast India started a Masters course (MSc) in Cancer Biology.
The course has been started in collaboration with the Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University.
The incidences of cancer in Northeast India are very high compared to the rest of the country. The cause for this higher incidence is not well explained so far and can be addressed by research on the various biological aspects of cancer in the patient population of the region.
The MSc Cancer Biology course will address the challenge of critical shortage of cancer biologist with a practical knowledge of the biological aspects of cancer.
“This course will provide an in-depth understanding of the biological processes in the development of cancer and will link academic knowledge with the practical applications on cancer biology, with a focus on the latest advances in this field.
This course will provide students with an excellent career opportunity in hospital and commercial laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and in academic or research institutions,” said Dr. Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI.
As cancer-related specialized basic courses are being offered in various European and American universities, students after completion of this course will have an opportunity for various scholarships in foreign Universities for Ph.D. positions, Dr. Kataki further stated.
Dr. Mouchumee Bhattacharyya, Principal Coordinator of BBCI-Academia and Professor of Radiation Oncology said that, the first batch of M.Sc. Cancer Biology comprising of ten students have been admitted after an entrance test conducted by the Gauhati University. The academic session has started in August 2018. During the course, students will get exposure to state of the art technology in cancer treatment and research facilities available at BBCI and Gauhati University, respectively.