VIJAYAWADA: Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, the first such university set up in the country in 1986, plans to focus more on research programmes as it completes 25 years of functioning.

In an exclusive interview with The New Indian Express, vicechancellor Prof IV Rao gives a detailed note on the ongoing programmes and future plans of the university. Here are excerpts.

Q: How many colleges are affiliated to NTR University of Health Sciences?

A: Over 350. These include institutions offering medical, nursing and paramedical courses.

Q: Why have the university authorities failed to set up an academic campus in 25 years?

A: There are several reasons for it. Now, the government has come out with a proposal for a 75acre campus near Mangalagiri between Vijayawada and Guntur.

Q: Will the administrative wing continue to be in Vijayawada once the campus comes up?

A: Certainly. The academic campus will be set up as an expansion programme.

Q: Can you throw some more light on the academic reforms?

A: Double valuation of PG examination papers was introduced this year. Two examiners value a student's answer papers. The valuations are carried out separately and there is no chance of one examiner knowing the valuation by another. The average of the two will be awarded to the students.

Q: There is a feeling that teaching at colleges needs improvement.

A: The university has been utilising the services of eminent professors who are acting as visiting faculty to 30 medical colleges in the state towards this goal.

Q: What are the measures taken to strengthen the faculty?

A: The university introduced training programme for teachers. One such programme was conducted at the NRI Medical College near Chinnakakani in Guntur district. Indian US medical graduates demonstrated lifesaving skills and basic life support systems at a workshop.

Q: Is the continuing medical education confined to some cities?

A: The university has been organising it in the four regions -Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Vijayawada and Hyderabad- to help PG students and professors. It plans to set up a modern laboratory and has asked colleges to set up basic skills labs.

Q: Research in medicine,it is often alleged, is lagging behind in the state. What does university contemplate to remove this stigma?

A: Now the focus is on research programmes. A notification has been issued recently for Ph.D programmes The university will conduct an examination after completion of the course to improve the standards of research scholars.