BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus Biotechnology Department to collaborate with U.S. University

Prof. Radha K Maheshwari, Professor of Pathology at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) at Bethesda, Maryland on invitation visited, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus during 22nd - 27th February, 2011. Prof. Maheshwari has been instrumental in developing and patronizing the successful INDO - USUHS collaboration programme, in existence for over 25 years. He has established active collaborations between the USUHS and many Indian research laboratories and academic Institutions. BITS Pilani, India has been a part of this collaboration for over 20 years and more than 30 students and several faculty have benefited from this. He visited the campus and all the laboratories and commented, "The Biotechnology department is very well equipped with state-of-art-facilities".

The four day deliberations between the faculty of Biotechnology department along with Prof. R. K. Mittal, Director, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus and Prof. Radha K Maheshwari, Professor of Pathology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA, resulted in both agreeing to collaborate for research and development in the field of Biotechnology, as both the organizations have common objectives of contributing in the emerging areas of Life Sciences/Health Sciences and possible applications in Biotechnology. This collaboration would lead to exchange of students and faculty between the twoInstitutions, and organizing joint workshops/seminars/conferences in partnership with other institutions in UAE, on the topics of importance to the society in UAE. It will also provide opportunities to BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus students to do the practice school/thesis work at USUHS, transfer to the higher degree and Ph.D.
During his visit, Prof. Maheshwari gave an overview on the the 25 years of INDO-USUHS collaboration. He spoke to the students of Biotechnology Department on the "role of cytokines and natural products in angiogenesis and wound healing" & "Role of natural products in chemoprevention of cancer". Prof. Maheshwari interacted with the faculty and students of Biotechnology Department and discussed the research  and career oppurtunity in Biotechnology. His research team at Bethesda, Maryland is exploring mechanism of Cancer chemo preventive effect of novel phytochemicals.

About BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, is a first offshore campus of Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), India, the most reputed and top ranking private university in India. It also has campuses at Goa and Hyderabad. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has accredited BITS Pilani (along with its Dubai and Goa campuses) with 3.71 CGPA on a scale of 4 and awarded 'A' grade. B.E. Biotechnology programme has been started from Dubai Campus from 2007.

About Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS)The Uniformed Services University of Health Science (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, USA is the federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. It provides the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. It also serves as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service and consultation.