PRESS RELEASE

Chennai,
30 May, 2008

Defense Research and Development Organisation is keen to partner with Sri Ramachandra and Anna Universities to promote high end research in new and futuristic technologies that have relevance for the countrys security and other needs, said Dr.W.Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller, DRDO. He was initiating a discussion with the two universities at a research projects review meeting at SRU here today. He is accompanied by directors of ten major laboratories of DRDO. During the two day meeting they will finalise research proposals that can be taken up by Sri Ramachandra and Anna Universities with collaboration, funding and assistance by DRDO. They will also explore possibilities of selling up an Ft & D Centre in Medical Technology.

Dr.Selvamurthy said that DRDO has diverse ongoing research programmes for weapons, armaments, missiles, combat aircrafts and also in life sciences to make the jawans fighting fit with a healthy long life in different situations like the Siachin glassier, Rajasthan desert, treacherous hill areas, deep jungles and marshy plains. The two universities can combine their might in research and technology development for a major stride forward in bio-medical engineering. The 37 research proposals that will be considered would involve a funding of Rs.25 crores from DRDO, he said.

Prof. D.Viswanathan, Vice Chancellor, Anna University, said the faculty and students along with DRDO and SRU can address the emerging threats including bio-agents and develop suitable defense strategies, materials and products. Anna University, he said can also undertake joint degree and certification courses.

Prof S.Rangaswami, Vice Chancellor, Sri Ramachandra University said several MOUs are under implementation with Anna University, Central Leather Research Institute, nT-Madras, Sathyabhama University and SSN Engineering College to take medical research at SRIJ to a higher level.

Detailing the 37 research proposals under consideration, Prof.S.P.Thyagarajan, Director and Chief Advisor Research, SRU said, the major areas include hearing protection devices for jawans, health impacts of ozone and particulate matter, biological dosimetry, physiological studies on meditation, neuropsychological rehabilitation, development of herbal chewable tablets with antioxidant and anti anxiety properties, nano bio-ceramics and silk nanofibre for medical applications, wearable electronics for health monitoring, bio-fuel production and translational research for bio-defense. The expert group will also explore the possibi]ity of SRU offering M.D.Sports Medicine Course in collaboration with the Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied sciences, DRDO.

Earlier, Prof.T.K.Parthasarathy, Pro Chancellor, SRU, honoured the distinguished guests.

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For more information please contact Prof. S.P.Thyagarajan, Director and Chief Advisor (Research), Sri Ramachandra University, Cell: 9840046575 Tel no.23860186

T.G. Nallamuthu, Consultant Media Relations, SRU 94442 65578, nallamuthu@hotmail.com