The demand for more qualified and trained embryologists has led the Bangalore University, in collaboration with the Momsoon Fertility and IVF Centre, to design and launch a specialised course from this academic year.
The nine-month Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproductive Technology course will give students a firm grounding in the theory and practical aspects of embryology and ART, said H.P. Puttaraju, coordinator of the course. “Infertility is on the rise across the globe and we need well-trained professionals in the field to meet the demand. Also, a lot of uncertified people are entering the field. This course will be a way of generating trained and certified professionals,” said Prof. Puttaraju.
“The importance and need for the course was also realised by the University Grants Commission which has sanctioned a budget of about Rs. 50-60 lakh for this innovative post-graduate diploma programme,” said Y. Ravindranath, Senior Embryologist & Scientific Director, Momsoon Fertility and IVF Centre. According to Dr. Ravindranath, there are about 500 IVF centres in the country but there are only about 100 trained professionals. “Most embryologists end up becoming only lab technicians. This course will provide students all the theory that they need to know about the allied subjects.”
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According to the National data of Assisted Reproduction in India (NARI), 2001-2005, published by ISAR (The Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction), a large number of IVF pregnancies (more than 40 per cent) end up in miscarriages as compared to five per cent in Western countries. “It is to bridge this gap between supply and demand and make sure our embryologists are able to look at the bigger picture and avoid failures that we have launched this course,” reiterated Dr. Ravindranath.
Students who complete this course will be immediately absorbed into the industry, said Prof. Puttaraju. “In fact this area will provide opportunities to trained individuals for at least 10 years now. There is a great demand for embryologists from India in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar,” said Dr. Ravindranath. The starting salary for embryologists is around Rs. 30,000 per month.
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This PGD course will have a maximum intake of 20 students per batch. Students with a background in life sciences (M.Sc Life Sciences) or medicine (MBBS) can apply for admission. The nine-month course is split into six months of classroom and laboratory training and a three-month project.
Faculty from Bangalore University, in addition to three professors from the Indian Institute of Science, two gynaecologists and advisors from the Momsoon Fertility and IVF Centre will train the students.
The last date to apply for the course is August 16. The last date to submit application forms by paying late fee is August 20. “We are hoping to start classes by the first week of September,” said Prof. Puttaraju.
Application forms are available at Prasaranga sales unit, Central College Campus, Bangalore University, Palace Road. Students can also download the application forms from the university website, www.bangaloreuniversity.ac.in.
For more details, contact Prof. Puttaraju at 080-22961923.