M J AKHTER / NEW DELHI
In a landmark decision, Jamia Millia and Islamia has decided to start MD and Ph D in Unani medicine from the current academic year. The Course will be conducted in collaboration with the Hyderabad based Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
An MoU between the two institutions was signed here today by JMI’s Officiating Registrar, Dr. Abdul Malik and Director General of CCRUM, Prof. Rais-ur-Rahman after the proposal was endorsed by the Ministry of AYUSH to foster research in indigenous systems of medicines in India.
As per the MOU, signed in the presence of JMI Vice Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Shahid Ashraf, Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof. Sharif Ahmad and senior officials of CCRUM, seven seats each have been allocated to General Medicine and Pharmacology while three seats will be in each Ph.D programme.
CCRUM through the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) shall provide all necessary facilities in respect of infrastructure such as hospitals, laboratories and other resources to run the programmes.
JMI will conduct entrance test for admission to these courses besides holding interviews for the Ph.D programmes. Jamia will conduct examination in consonance with the regulations of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and JMI within the broader framework and guidelines of Ministry of AYUSH and shall award the degrees accordingly. The fee structure for these programmes shall be at par with the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru.
The CCRUM will also help set up Hakim Ajmal Khan Chair in JMI to promote Unani Studies and Research.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Talat Ahmad said that the MOU marked a new chapter in the long history of Jamia. He emphasised on the need to modernise the old discipline by actively collaborating with advances sciences like biochemistry and biotechnology.
Prof. Rahman said that in the coming years the face of Unani medicine will change and the world will realise its potential. He also hoped that in the next five years a Unani medicine college will be set up in Jamia Millia Islamia.