MYSORE: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers H N Ananth Kumar on Saturday said the Centre is planning to establish a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in the state.
In his address at the fifth convocation of JSS University, he said NIPER will boost pharmaceutical education and research in the state. He asked JSS University to be the mentor institute for the new NIPER.
Ananth Kumar regretted that India was lagging behind in the manufacture of medical equipment and production of pharma molecules compared to the developed countries.
“About 90 per cent of disposables and 100 per cent medical equipment are still being imported. So far, we have produced only a few pharma molecules. Hence everyone should resolve to ‘Make in India’ in every aspect,” he said.
Stating that the students aspiring to pursue higher education in the country are burdened with many entrance examinations, he said he will talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to come up with a single entrance test.
Stating that medical education syllabi is 25 years behind compared to Germany, he said it should be upgraded on par with global standards.
He said the government is planning to bring out an integrated medicine system by blending modern and traditional medicine.
Stating that Madhya Pradesh government has made a lesson on lifestyle mandatory for students, he said institutions in the state should take a cue from it.
In all, 759 students received their degrees on the occasion. As many as 37 meritorious students in medical, pharmaceutical, management and other streams were awarded gold medals and cash prizes.
Former Union Minister M V Rajashekaran, retired Supreme Court judge Shivaraj Patil, JSS University V-C B Suresh and Suttur Mutt seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji were present.