Nuclear medicine course: PU exploring options for collaboration

After the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) refused to continue its joint nuclear medicine programme with Panjab University (PU), the varsity has started exploring other options to run the cours

After the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) refused to continue its joint nuclear medicine programme with Panjab University (PU), the varsity has started exploring other options to run the course.

The varsity has already written to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, to run the joint programme, but a senior varsity official said they are looking into other options as well. (HT File)

The varsity has already written to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, to run the joint programme, but a senior varsity official said they are looking into other options as well.

After PGIMER’s refusal, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) had last year advised the varsity to submit a fresh proposal to run the course with alternative arrangements.

“We have to sign an MoU, if we want to admit the students in the MSc nuclear medicine programme for next session. We are looking for options and after signing the MoU, we will send the proposal to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for their approval,” said a senior university official.

PGIMER had in August last year conveyed to the varsity that it will not renew the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to run the joint course. As part of the programme, students in the second year of the course used to undergo training at PGIMER. The institute has now started its own independent MSc nuclear medicine technology programme.

PGIMER had however agreed to grant interim relief for students admitted by PU for the academic session 2021-22 (ending in June 2023) and allow training for this batch.

A row erupted last year at PU when the fresh admissions for the Nuclear Medicine course were kept in abeyance by the university. Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) has also been continuously pressing the varsity to restart the course.

No fresh admissions this year

In absence of the MoU with PGIMER, PU has not conducted admissions to the course for this session. The varsity can go ahead with fresh admissions only if it collaborates with any other medical institute to impart clinical training to the admitted students in the second year of the programme.

PUTA president Supinder Kaur said the MSc nuclear medicine programme is a successful course, as it has 100% placement. “PUTA welcomes any step taken towards revival of this course, which is not only the utmost need of the hour, but also vitally important to avoid any inordinate delay in the admission process for the upcoming session,” she said.